3 more candidates seek school board seats

While a long-time board member has announced she’s not running for reelection, three others have thrown their hats in the ring for the Wilson County Board of Education’s November election: a 20-year teaching veteran, a litigation paralegal and a car dealership manager.

Sophia Stevens, unaffiliated, is running for the District 6 seat against incumbent Blake Boykin, a Republican, who filed for reelection last week. David Batts, unaffiliated, and Andressia Ramirez, a Democrat, both filed Tuesday for the District 2 seat that previously went unchallenged.

District 2 incumbent Velma Barnes told the Times that after 11 years holding the seat, she will not seek reelection.

“I have had some health concerns for a while now, and I decided it was time for me to pass the torch onto someone else,” Barnes said. “I believe that if you can’t give 100%, you let someone else do the job. Before he passed, John Wesley Jones asked me to apply for District 2. I decided after I retired that I would, and it’s just been such a blessing to me to serve for the three terms that I’ve served.”

Barnes said the decision not to run for reelection was not an easy one.

“I have a sad heart not running,” Barnes said. “My hat’s off to the staff in Wilson County. They’ve helped us make gains over the past four years. Our scores are creeping up and up.”

Barnes said since the beginning of her most recent term, she’s sought a successor to train for her seat in District 2.

“I’ve tried to get someone to run that I could mentor,” Barnes said. “A lot of people will run with one thing on their mind, but what they don’t realize is — you only have one vote. You can’t do this, that and the other with one vote. We’re policymakers. We just need to get someone with the interests of children at heart in there. You can’t make all those changed by yourself. There’s no ‘I’ in team.”

NEW CANDIDATES

Ramirez is a litigation paralegal with the Immigrants and Refugee Rights Project at the North Carolina Justice Center.

“I am passionate about creating a future where every student, regardless of their background, has access to a high-quality education,” Ramirez said. “My teachers were instrumental in shaping my path, and I want to give back by ensuring that all students receive an even stronger level of support and opportunity.”

Ramirez said she is focused on education advocacy.

“My journey has prepared me to advocate for the needs of our students and teachers,” Ramirez said. “I believe that by bringing my fresh perspective, energy and dedication to the board, we can address current issues and create policies that empower our students. I want our students to see themselves in leadership roles and understand that their voices matter.”

Ramirez said if she is elected, she wants to key in on academic performance and career readiness.

“I look forward to collaborating with teachers to create policies that address the current issues within our schools and meet the needs of our students,” Ramirez said. “I also plan to collaborate with our school board, learn from experienced members and utilize my skills in public speaking, policy and advocacy. What must remain constant is our unwavering support for teachers, who are the heart of our education system. By working together, we can create a brighter future for all students in Wilson County.”

Her opponent, Batts, is a car dealership manager and father of four. He said running for the school board is a deep personal concern because he has kids in the Wilson County school system.

“I have three children currently in Wilson County public schools and another child starting kindergarten next year,” Batts said. “Adding me to the board would create more of a personal interest in what goes on in the schools on a day-to-day basis. I hope that we as a community will stay focused on issues like reading, writing and arithmetic and continue the growth that the current board is doing to make Wilson County schools a better place for our kids.”

Batts said his main goal is to ensure resources and guidance for all students and teachers.

“I hope that I can help our community cultivate great leaders for our future,” Batts said. “A personal strength for me is how well I’m connected in the Wilson community.  I’m easily accessible with a wide range of contacts and resources that help me network with both sides of the aisle. I love unifying people with a single goal for all to achieve. I am not afraid to confront the issues, and I do it in a way that is non-confrontational. I have always been able to speak with people from both sides and come away with some great ideas.”

DISTRICT 6 RACE

Stevens, the new face in the school board’s District 6 race, began teaching at Hunt High School in 2002 and has continued to educate young people in English and French at the school since.

“Having very recently been in the schools, I can see some needs and concerns,” Stevens said. “I want to be an advocate. My primary focus is the kids, but we need to worry about the teachers too. I think that our board is doing a great job. I know a lot of them (on the board).”

Stevens said she feels like she is the right person for the job given the uncertain climate for the future of public education.

“I just finished teaching this past semester,” Stevens said. “I retired from Wilson County Schools two years ago. I went back to teach this year because there was nobody else to do the job. Fewer and fewer people are becoming teachers. I believe in public education and fighting for our public school system. I’m looking forward to working with everyone for the kids here.”

Stevens said she took an “If not me, who?” approach to the District 6 seat.

“This was in the back of my mind,” Stevens said. “I just knew there must be something else I can do to help out in some way. I’m a collaborator at heart. There’s a lot of wonderful things going on that I’d love to celebrate in Wilson.”

Filing for the Wilson County Board of Education is open through noon Friday at the Wilson County Board of Elections. School board seats in District 2, District 4 and District 6 are the only three up for grabs in this year’s election. The filing fee for the Board of Education is $98.70.

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