Oct. 7. There are 18 candidates for Charlotte Mecklenburg Board of Education, five of them running for the District 1 seat that includes Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville and parts of North Charlotte from Mountain Island Lake to Mallard Creek. It’s a non-partisan race, with two Republicans, two Democrats and one unaffiliated candidate running; Ro Lawsin has the County GOP endorsement.

Rhonda Lennon Cheek

Address: Grey Road, Davidson

Prior elected office: CMS Board of Education, District 1 (incumbent)

Party affiliation: Republican

Why are you running?

I am running because I am committed to improving academic outcomes for all students, to ensure safe schools and to make sure we are being thoughtful stewards of taxpayers money.  Having an experienced and effective representative from District 1 is essential to getting that work done.

There is still concern that CMS is not paying enough attention to North Meck. How would you address this?

For nearly 20 years, I have been a tireless advocate for north Mecklenburg and will continue that advocacy when re-elected.  On behalf of District 1 residents, I have successfully advocated for increasing capital expenditures,  increasing magnet and school choice options from 2 to 15, restarting CTE programs at North Meck High and facilitating joint use agreements with towns to increase parks and rec facilities including Wilhelm Park.  Currently facilitating Cornelius using the Cornelius Elementary “Ag” building as a local cultural museum. I will continue to work with local citizens and elected officials to advocate for the needs of North Mecklenburg.

Melissa Easley

Address: Misty Arbor Way, Charlotte

Prior elected office: None

Party affiliation: Democrat

Why are you running?

As a former CMS teacher and current CMS parent I believe our focus should be:

• Repairing relationships with our teachers, staff and community.

• Bring equitable resources to our lowest performing schools.

Along with this, we need an educator’s voice on the school board. Someone that has been in our schools and in our community to understand how to bring CMS back to when it was one of the top districts in the state.

There is still concern that CMS is not paying enough attention to North Meck. How would you address this?

It is important to meet people where they are at. Going out into the community and connecting with our members.

Hamani Fisher

Address: Troubadour Lane, Huntersville

Prior elected office: None

Party affiliation: Democrat

Why are you running?

My goal is to reconstruct relationships of trust and restore confidence back into our public school system. I am concerned about the future of all children, families and the school system’s effect on our community due to lowered outcome-based performance, lowering of academic standards, and the need for an emotionally and physically safe learning environment for all who attend our schools.

There is still concern that CMS is not paying enough attention to North Meck. How would you address this?

My desire once elected to the CMS Board, is to work collaboratively with my fellow board members, to ensure that there are equitable resources and academic achievement attention to all districts. One of my first goals will be to investigate the lack of attention given to the North Meck High facility. In previous discussions with some elected officials from our area, I was made aware that this school was at the top of the list for renovations but has since been moved to the bottom due to political retribution. We must not play politics with the educational future of our children.

Willam Fountain

Address: Deep Cove Court, Cornelius

Prior elected office: None

Party affiliation: Unaffiliated

Why are you running?

The woke culture has invaded our schools disguised as social progress, confusing kids’ sexuality through pornographic books, invasive surveys, and gender identity. It’s robbing black kids of their self-worth with labels of victim and entitlement. It’s refusing to discipline troublemakers leaving no behavior standards. Help me arrest this woke cancer.

There is still concern that CMS is not paying enough attention to North Meck. How would you address this?

The board should consider the proven concept of subsidiarity, decisions made at the lowest level possible. CMS is a big bureaucracy with highly diverse constituencies. I’d suggest CMS develop a four-year plan to dissolve the CMS administration and flow responsibility down to six community districts coincident with the boundaries of the current board member districts. These community districts could be funded through the Mecklenburg Board of Commissioners based on the number of students. At this community level, parents’ voices will have less filters to pass through, insuring their children will be cared for and nurtured, yes true neighborhood schools.

Ro Lawsin

Address: Windaliere Drive, Cornelius

Prior elected office: First-time candidate

Party affiliation: Republican

Why are you running?

I am running to increase safety and security at all CMS schools, improve student outcomes, and provide accountability and transparency to parents and families when I am elected. I have 3 children in CMS and believe a fresh voice and new leadership is desperately needed in CMS BOE District 1.

There is still concern that CMS is not paying enough attention to North Meck. How would you address this?

I will make sure that ALL schools in North Meck are treated fairly and given the same consideration as ANY school in CMS to include adding new schools to the area which the last bond referendum did not include District 1. I’ve spoken to both parents and former town commissioners of both Huntersville & Cornelius and they all say North Meck is and has been lacking in representation and I plan on changing that from Day 1. My No. 1 job will be to make sure that every resource afforded to District 1 is appropriated in the best interests of the students.