TCS board will become an elected position in 2023

On April 18, the Thomasville City Council adopted a resolution to covert the Thomasville City Schools Board of Education positions from appointed to elected. The first election will take place on November 7, 2023.

Council member Wendy Sellars shared why she believes this is the right move, “The reason I voted for an elected school Board is because I felt this was a way the council could ensure the school board was being held accountable. As an appointed board the community felt the the city council could govern the school board, when in actuality after appointment the council had no oversight. With the school board now being elected the parents, community and the voters will have oversight.”

The resolution in its entirety is below.

CITY OF THOMASVILLE, NC 
RESOLUTION NO. 04-2022-RES08 

RESOLUTION REQUESTING LOCAL LEGISLATION OF THE N.C. GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONSIDER AMENDING THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS FORTHE 

THOMASVILLE CITY SCHOOL BOARD FROM APPOINTED MEMBERS TO ELECTED MEMBERS 

WHEREAS, the Thomasville City School Administrative Unit was established in 1965 pursuant to Chapter 26, Session Laws by North Carolina, with amendments having been made on numerous occasions by the North Carolina Legislature; and 

WHEREAS, the City of Thomasville appoints all (5) five members of the Thomasville City Schools Board of Education; and 

WHEREAS, the Thomasville City Schools Board of Education is one of two Boards of Education within North Carolina whereby members are appointed by the local municipal Council compared to 113 Boards of Education within North Carolina whereby members are elected by the voters within the school's attendance area during the May primary or November general elections; and 

WHEREAS, the Thomasville City Council recognizes the importance of the citizens and parents ability to have a say in the election of the representatives on the Thomasville City Schools Board of Education, and therefore, respectfully request that the appointment process of the Thomasville City Schools Board of Education be amended to relinquish the appointing duties of the Thomasville City Council and instead allow for the members to be elected by the citizens in accordance with provisions of law relating to such election and in accordance with the laws governing general elections in the State of North Carolina as the same shall be applicable; and 

WHEREAS, the Thomasville City Council recommends members of the Thomasville City Schools Board of Education be elected based on four-year terins, with initial elections having two (2) members elected for a term of two (2) years and three (3) members elected for a term of four (4) years; no member shall serve more than two (2) consecutive full terms without an intervening period of four (4) years; and appointments for an unexpired portion of a term shall not be considered as a full term appointment; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Thomasville requests that the local legislation of the N.C. General Assembly consider amending the appointment process of the Thomasville City Schools Board of Education from appointed members to elected members consisting of five (5) members elected from citizens who reside inside the City limits; and 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Thomasville recommends the Thomasville City Schools Board of Education election process be based on four-year terms, with initial elections having two (2) members elected for a term of two (2) years and three (3) members elected for a term of four (4) years; no member shall serve more than two (2) consecutive full terms without an intervening period of four (4) years; and appointments for an unexpired portion of a term shall not be considered as a full term appointment. The first election shall take place November 7, 2023. 

Adopted this the 18th day of April, 2022. 

CITY OF THOMASVILLE 

Raleigh York, Jr., Mayor 

Attest: Wendy S. Martin, City Clerk