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Public commenters criticize conduct toward Commissioner Woodbury and urge county support for schools
Summary
Multiple residents spoke during the Sept. 11 public session to defend Commissioner Shay Woodbury from perceived mistreatment by fellow commissioners and to urge the county to provide funding to the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools amid staff reductions.
A cross-section of Forsyth County residents used the Sept. 11 public comment period to criticize the board's treatment of Commissioner Shay Woodbury and to press the county to act to support Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools, which faces staff reductions.
Call-in commenter Glenn Starnes II opened the public session by saying he stood "in full support of commissioner doctor Melisha [Shay] Woodbury," and accused the county of allowing conduct he described as "white supremacy at its finest" when public disagreements target Woodbury. Several other speakers echoed concerns about disrespect and called for public apologies and better behavior from elected officials.
Janetta Roberts said the board allowed "personal attack and disrespect" against an African American woman, and she outlined a history of grievances alleging prior missteps by county leadership related to local schools. Dr. Arnitta Miles said the chair's remarks were "offensive" and "hurtful" and urged a public apology. Karen Kuthill criticized what she described as dismissive language by Vice Chair Wisenhunt at a prior meeting and said the community would no longer tolerate such conduct.
Multiple speakers connected the governance concerns to pressing school-system needs. Kwamakya Shavers and other speakers urged the county to step in to help the school system; Shavers specifically asked the commissioners for $50 million to assist the school district and said layoffs were imminent and would harm students, including those with individualized education plans. Robert Watkins urged the county to reconsider declining to purchase two school-owned tracts and suggested the land could be used to offset school debt; county staff later clarified that proceeds from any sale are required by statute to be used to pay school debt.
Other speakers including Felicia Bennett Giles, Marcy West and Leah Hardy said they supported Commissioner Woodbury and asked the board to treat colleagues respectfully and to respond to school staffing and funding needs. Several speakers described long-term community involvement with local leaders and asked commissioners to set a better example.
Ending: The board did not take action on the public comments themselves; the statements were recorded as public testimony. Multiple speakers asked the board to consider financial support for schools and to address internal conduct between commissioners in public and private settings.
