Editor’s Note: Melissa Bowers is one of 13 candidates seeking a spot on the November school board ballot in Johnston County. Below are her answers to questions from the Johnstonian News. Four candidates either declined or did not respond to our questionnaire. They were Al Byrd, John Fischer, Jenn Gurley and Joe Preston. Six candidates will advance to the general election this fall.

What grade would you give the school board’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and why?

BOWERS: I think initially I would have given it a C, as no one was quite sure what was going on. But I was not happy as a teacher or parent that work was just forgiven and that kids were basically told they didn’t have to do anything and would still pass. Into August 2020, the next school year, I would give the board’s handling an F. We failed our kids. We put their interests last. 

Superintendent Eric Bracy’s goal is to have all Johnston schools earn a C or better on their state report card by the end of the 2023-24 school year. And yet the school board last fall extended Bracy’s contract through the 2024-25 school year. Do you support the contract extension beyond his stated date for having all schools earn a C or better?

BOWERS: No, I do not. I do not support this because when we extend contracts before goals are met, it insinuates that the goals and timelines set do not matter. There is a lack of accountability.

County Commissioner Fred Smith recently noted that school spending in Johnston is growing faster than enrollment. Is Johnston spending too much on its schools?

BOWERS: I do not know every aspect of the budget for the Johnston County Public Schools, but I do know for a fact that there is a lot of wasteful spending. There are central office positions that are not necessary. There are curriculums and training that are not useful or necessary. 

The school board has asked the county to put a $253.5 million bond issue on the November ballot. Do you support that amount? Or would you favor something more or something less? The school has a list of building needs. What would be your building priorities if elected?

BOWERS: I, personally, am not in favor of the bond. The Johnston County school system receives more than enough money to serve its community and students well. However, the money is not being spent frugally or prioritized well. I would favor improvements to existing schools, doing away with mobile units, and future planning for new schools. 

The N.C. Public School Forum has called for the elimination or revision of the state’s A-F grading system for the state’s public schools. How should North Carolina grade its schools to ensure that children are learning and that taxpayers are getting their money’s worth in education?

BOWERS: I would revise the current A-F rating. I feel too many things go into the school rating. I believe schools should be graded on student achievement and teacher retention. 

What do you consider to be the greatest issue facing Johnston schools, and how would you address it?

BOWERS: The greatest issue facing the schools is the lack of staffing. We need to encourage and incentivize teachers and staff in our county. We also need to provide students, teachers and staff with high accountability, including expectations and consequences that are known and followed countywide.

About Melissa Bowers

Age: 39.

Family: husband, Nathan Bowers, children, Jonathan, 22, Breanna, 19, Slade, 18, Macy, 17, Jaylin, 9, Carlee, 6.

Education: graduate, Northern Nash High School, 2000; bachelor’s degree in family and community services, East Carolina University, 2008; teacher certification, ECU, 2010. 

Occupation: children’s director, XRC, a Clayton church.

Political experience: none.

Community service: youth soccer and T-ball coach; team mom, youth football.

Religious affiliation: Christian.

Online: votemelissabowers.com, facebook.com/melissabowersforjohnstoncountyboe.