A reader writes to alert us to developments in Winston-Salem:
Diane:
Another School Board Scandal is developing in Winston-Salem, NC. The recent long-time chair has been elected to the General Assembly, and the handling of vacancies has been outrageous, particularly in light of the fact that the elections are supposed to be non-partisan!
Once a new chair was named for the Board, the Vice-Chair selected was an official that was appointed (not elected) by the majority Republican County Commission to fill a vacant seat from a well-known Democratic member of the Board.
http://www.camelcitydispatch.com/new-school-board-vice-chair-unelected-official-john-davenport/
The vacant seat has basically be bungled, first when the county GOP nominated an extreme right-winger and then he had to withdraw after his residency was questioned:
http://www.camelcitydispatch.com/ccd-reporting-leads-to-regnery-withdrawal/
Then they chose a total unknown with a history that includes working for the Koch Brothers’ America for Prosperity.
http://www.journalnow.com/news/local/article_466e746e-55e3-11e2-bdad-0019bb30f31a.html
http://www.camelcitydispatch.com/unknown-irene-may-appointed-to-ws-forsyth-county-school-board/
To sum up: the GOP has hijacked two seats (and the vice-chairmanship) on what is supposed to be a Board chosen through non-partisan elections, naming two candidates that are voucher supporters and corporate reformers.
Hope you can help us shine some light on this terrible problem.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
If you look at boards around the country they have members of the larger online companies, their spouses or relatives on them in a very high percentage. Why does this surprise anyone?
Wait until the Winston-Salem Board of Elections is taken over in next few weeks by Mr. Art Pope, and the Forsyth County Tea Party Patriots, there will really be big changes then.
Watch out Winston-Salem. After the failed attempt to take over the Wake County (Raleigh area) schools, and with the new ALEC-controlled state government in Raleigh (super majority in the legislature + Art Pope) you appear to be the next target for eliminating/disintegrating your public schools.
Ugh…. this disgusts me. I have been trying to get in contact with the school board since before Xmas in regards to my daughter purchasing a crucifix/cross necklaces AT SCHOOL, DURING SCHOOL HOURS. I have yet to get to get an opportunity to speak with the board. Sigh* Corruption explains a lot.
In the next year or so, would not be surprised to see “Good News Clubs” popping up in our state’s elementary schools. Frightening, because the idea is to make evangelists out of very young children, giving them treats and telling them they and their families and friends will go to hell if they don’t believe the way they are taught by the “Good News Clubs” teachers. Although these clubs meet after school, often the children think what they are being taught is a part of their school. To become familiar with this, you may want to read the book, The Good News Club: The Christian Right’s Stealth Assault on America’s Children by Katherine Stewart. Ms. Stewart spoke to the Winston-Salem Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State in October.
This all the more illustrates why we MUST urge the City of Winston-Salem to pass a resolution against Citizens United. We would like to have one speaker to express these concerns at the next meeting. We have been asked to limit our speakers on Jan 22 to only a few but this is extremely vital. Please also sign this petition urging an overturn of Citizens United and also read the New Yorker expose on Art Pope in post-Citizens United NC:
https://www.change.org/petitions/city-of-winston-salem-stand-up-for-the-rights-of-natural-persons
Art Pope article: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/10/10/111010fa_fact_mayer