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School board

Board of Education, Forsyth County Schools

At-large

Vote for
3
Term
4 years
Candidates
5
Election
Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A board of education member helps set policy, the budget and the superintendent's direction for Forsyth County Schools.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Valerie Brockenbrough

Democratic

Small business owner

The gist

  • Supports monthly budget-to-actual review by the full board
  • Supports strict timelines for sharing district financial information
  • Pledges quality education for students regardless of zip code
More about Valerie
View sources (1)

  1. Supports monthly budget-to-actual review by the full board

    9 challengers, 1 incumbent aim for at-large seats on Forsyth school board in Democrat primary

    Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 19, 2026 · journalnow.com

    “The most important report is the budget-to-actual comparison, which should be reviewed monthly by the full Board, not only in the Finance Committee.”

  2. Supports strict timelines for sharing district financial information

    9 challengers, 1 incumbent aim for at-large seats on Forsyth school board in Democrat primary

    Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 19, 2026 · journalnow.com

    “The School Board and district leaders should have a strict timeline for when and what financial information is shared”

  3. Pledges quality education for students regardless of zip code

    9 challengers, 1 incumbent aim for at-large seats on Forsyth school board in Democrat primary

    Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 19, 2026 · journalnow.com

    “I want to make sure that every student, no matter what their zip code or background, gets a good education.”

Elisabeth Motsinger

Democratic

Retired physician assistant

The gist

  • Pledges persistent follow-up until board questions are answered
  • Supports rebuilding community trust in the school district
More about Elisabeth
View sources (1)

  1. Pledges persistent follow-up until board questions are answered

    9 challengers, 1 incumbent aim for at-large seats on Forsyth school board in Democrat primary

    Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 19, 2026 · journalnow.com

    “When questions are not answered initially, I follow up with the person who can provide the needed information until they do”

  2. Supports rebuilding community trust in the school district

    9 challengers, 1 incumbent aim for at-large seats on Forsyth school board in Democrat primary

    Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 19, 2026 · journalnow.com

    “built trusting relationships across the district as well as our larger community”

Ronda Mays

Democratic

School social worker

The gist

  • Supports hiring a permanent superintendent as the top priority
  • Proposes budget committee meetings twice a month
  • Supports tracking who overrides the district finance system
  • Supports lobbying state lawmakers for public school funding
More about Ronda
View sources (2)

  1. Supports hiring a permanent superintendent as the top priority

    Sexton: Forsyth school board race puts trust, stability on the ballot

    News coverage · Winston-Salem Journal · Aug 24, 2026 · journalnow.com

    “The district cannot move forward unless we have a person, a permanent person, in that seat”

  2. Proposes budget committee meetings twice a month

    9 challengers, 1 incumbent aim for at-large seats on Forsyth school board in Democrat primary

    Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 19, 2026 · journalnow.com

    “The budget committee should meet at least twice a month.”

  3. Supports tracking who overrides the district finance system

    9 challengers, 1 incumbent aim for at-large seats on Forsyth school board in Democrat primary

    Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 19, 2026 · journalnow.com

    “I would want to know how often the finance system is being overridden and by whom.”

  4. Supports lobbying state lawmakers for public school funding

    9 challengers, 1 incumbent aim for at-large seats on Forsyth school board in Democrat primary

    Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 19, 2026 · journalnow.com

    “to meet with NC lawmakers to discuss funding and other needs related to public education”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 3 issues covered in this race.