Public commenters urge board action on state funding, curriculum and library content
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Summary
During public comment, residents urged the board to press state legislators on school funding and criticized proposed voucher measures and certain library materials; speakers included local parents, community groups and a representative of Henderson County Public Schools Strong.
A lengthy public‑comment period at the Henderson County Board of Public Education meeting on Feb. 9 featured a range of views on state funding, curriculum content and materials in school and public libraries.
Robert Cannon, speaking for Henderson County Public Schools Strong, urged voters to weigh candidate positions on education and offered a compiled document of candidates’ written responses about teacher pay and child nutrition (email provided for distribution). "We believe it is important for voters to hear how candidates...address issues affecting public education," Cannon said.
Several speakers criticized state policy and proposed legislation. Joe Elliott said the state still lacked a budget that was due July 1, 2025, and warned of a provision in a bill he described as creating a nationwide voucher program; he urged the board to call out state lawmakers for what he described as the diversion of public funds to private schools. "We are now fiftieth in per‑capita spending on our public schools," Elliott said, and he asked the board to demand accountability from named legislators.
Other public commenters raised concerns about specific library materials that they described as containing graphic content and urged the board to remove certain books from school collections (Kathy Johnson). Several speakers also framed their comments in religious terms and urged attention to moral instruction.
Board members listened and did not take formal action on the issues raised; several public commenters explicitly asked the board to use its voice in Raleigh, while others asked for local policy changes. The board’s formal agenda moved on to consent items and new business after the public comment period.
