HB833

The African American Caucus of the Forsyth County Democratic Party Jacquelyne Barber Branch is opposed to HB833.
This bill is to provide for the nonpartisan election of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County board of education, and to stagger the election cycle.
CHANGE and those who are sponsering this bill have not fully examined the effect of such a bill on the students of Forsyth County and its effects on African American representation.

The African American Caucus is against HB833 for the following reasons:
There has been no data to prove that having a nonpartisan school board election will enhance the educational process for Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County students and with other issues plaguing our students such as high drop out and high suspension rates among African American students and those of a lower economic status as well as over testing; to ram a bill through the state legislature simply to change how the ballot looks is not the best way to show support for our students.
There is no proff that the residents of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County want or are prepared for
a nonpartisan election. Our history with the election of judges in Forsyth County has substantiated that while the party is not known on the ballot the candidate will carry his or her world view with them to their position.
The African American Caucus of the Forsyth County Democratic Party Jacquelyne Barber Branch believes that any type of election reform must go before the voters of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County in order to ensure that there is support for such an election change.

The first issue of concern must always be our students. And of all the discussions for a nonpartisan election, there is no mention of the children to be affected by such a change.

Submitted by the African American CaucusFCDP-JBB
Jemmise Bowen President
This was submitted to the NC General Assembly 5-4-09