Schools

Raised concerns about property tax valuations, school funding priorities, and ensuring equitable enforcement of ethics standards across all commissioners.

Shared the impacts of underfunding at Belmont Central Elementary, including the loss of music programs, counselors, and aging facilities.

Called on commissioners to improve transparency, listen to public concerns about school funding, and rebuild community trust.

Expressed hope and care for the community's future.

Advocated for increased county funding earmarked for exceptional children's programs and classroom support.

Shared her personal experience with special education services in Gaston County Schools for her son with autism and urged commissioners to increase EC funding.

Highlighted her son's needs and urged commissioners to fully fund exceptional children's services rather than treating students as budget constraints.

Argued that school funding is an economic development issue and that quality schools attract families and investment.

Highlighted severe bus driver and staffing shortages impacting student schedules and called for greater board accountability.

Shared positive classroom experiences while emphasizing the heavy burdens placed on overworked teachers and staff.

Spoke as a school nurse about the high percentage of students with behavioral and developmental needs lacking adequate support.

Read a statement from an anonymous teacher resigning from Gaston County Schools due to inadequate support and instability.

Finished reading the teacher's statement and urged the board to fund the 174 cut positions to retain educators.

Shared her perspective as a parent who chose Belmont for its schools and emphasized the necessity of funding health and support staff.

Voiced frustration over school district challenges and urged the board to find creative solutions to properly support students.

Expressed concern over school underfunding and emphasized the critical role of school nurses and counselors in student safety.

Urged commissioners to invest more in public education and preventative community services rather than reacting on the back end.

Compared Gaston County's low per-pupil spending to neighboring counties and criticized the lack of support for teachers.

Highlighted the direct link between public education, population health, and economic development, urging higher school funding.

Criticized the status quo of underfunded schools and called for active engagement in local elections and advocacy.

Called for adequate school funding and questioned the board's priorities regarding education and the Confederate monument.

Criticized the board for ignoring years of warnings about school financial cliffs and treating education as a low priority.

Urged the board to fund public schools based on their original request rather than cutting classroom operations.

Highlighted cuts to school staff, librarians, nurses, and art programs, asking why education isn't prioritized.

Expressed concern over cuts to exceptional children's (EC) services and urged full funding for schools.

Discussed increased workloads on teachers due to understaffed support roles and asked for strong local school investment.

Shared classroom experiences regarding EC student needs, safety, and teacher retention.

Expressed worry over school conditions, teacher shortages, and the loss of support staff.

Stressed that schools shape the future workforce and asked commissioners to fully fund education.

Emphasized the trust children place in their teachers and the negative impacts of underfunding on school connections.

Encouraged commissioners to supplement the school budget to cover the $7.2 million shortfall caused by property valuation changes.

Spoke as a social worker about unmet student needs when school support positions are cut.

Shared student writing about the importance of learning and asked commissioners to increase school funding.

Described the catastrophic impact of eliminating 170 positions, arts teachers, and counselors at local high schools.

Asked leaders to collaborate across government bodies to find solutions for the school funding crisis.

A third-grade student spoke about crowded schools, trailer classrooms, and cut teacher assistant positions.

Expressed sadness over teacher cuts and asked commissioners to keep teachers and library programs funded.

Expressed heartbreak over teachers buying their own supplies and asked if commissioners work with state legislators.

Shared that her family is considering moving to another county due to public school cuts and underfunding.

Urged the board to fully fund the school board's request for teacher pay supplements to keep pace with neighboring counties and retain educators.