GATESVILLE — With early voting underway and the March 3 primary approaching, voters in Gates County got a firsthand look Thursday night at the eight candidates vying for four open seats on the Gates County Board of Education. The forum, hosted by the Gates County Chamber of Commerce at the historic Gates County Courthouse, drew a full house of residents eager to hear how candidates would address school consolidation, staffing challenges, and ongoing governance issues.

Temperance Bryant served as the evening’s moderator, guiding the discussion as candidates introduced themselves and answered questions about their experience, values, and vision for the district.

“This forum is to help voters get to know the eight candidates running for the four open seats in the March 3 election,” Bryant said.

Candidate introductions

Sallie Ryan, a Gates County native, opened the introductions by connecting her personal and professional experiences to the challenges facing local schools. “I have been a product of Gates County Schools. My children graduated from Gates County Schools, and now my grandchildren are wondering where they’re gonna be next year with the consolidation. So please know that when we make those consolidation decisions, everybody’s stuff is going to be taken into consideration,” said Ryan, past chairwoman of the Board of Education, currently serving as vice chairwoman. She described her credentials, noting, “I think having served as a school social worker when we moved back home and then being the only off-site alternative school director and then being the last to follow Michael Felton at Gatesville Middle School has given me the credentials I need to serve on the board.”

Angela “Jojo” Legg, who retired in June after 31 years in education, highlighted her classroom experience and perspective on policy. “Education has been my life’s work for more than three decades. I’ve spent thirty-one years inside public schools, working with students, parents, families, teachers, and staff, seeing firsthand how all the decisions that are made from high up actually impact the real people in the classrooms,” Legg said. “Sometimes policies look really good on paper, but in actuality, when you put it in practice, it’s not so great. So I kinda see things from the inside out.”

Ray Brothers, who spent years working in human resources after graduating from Elizabeth City State University, emphasized both professional and personal ties to the community. “The experience that I bring is an understanding of where we want to go next. We want these children to have the success. We want them to be career-ready when they leave,” he said.

Lola Rountree, a lifelong resident and 38-year veteran of Gates County Public Schools, spoke about her comprehensive understanding of district operations. “I have seen how every decision that’s made at the top impacts our students in classrooms. For nearly four decades, I have dedicated my life to the success of our students and the strength of our schools. I’m not a newcomer, I’m not a novice to all those challenges that we’re facing. I’m used to low funding, staff reductions, and school consolidations. I’ve lived through all of them, and we worked through all of them, and we found solutions.”

Nick Lolies, a Gates County native, parent, and director of the Perquimans County Water Department, emphasized his management and leadership experience. “That work demands transparency, accountability, and clear communication, exactly what our school system needs. I’m running for the Board of Education because every child in Gates County deserves strong academics, safe schools, and the chance to grow through athletics and extracurriculars,” he said. “I’m not a politician. I’m a parent, I’m a coach, and a neighbor who shows up. I’m committed to listening, being present, and working with others to move our school system forward.”

Like the other candidates, Danny Hale is a native of Gates County. He worked as a civil servant with the Coast Guard for 38 years, working his way from accountant to strategic command advisor supervising about 1,800 people. “I’m running because I’m going to step up and I’m going to do something for the community.”

Sherry Earhart, a former classroom teacher and longtime homeschool educator, stressed her commitment to student success. “I have a deep heart for the success of students. In our nation, we have an educational situation that looks like this, tangled ball of yarn. There are many variables, regulations, family situations, funding, and others that make it complicated for our students to succeed, and I would like the chance to help untangle things here in Gates County.”

Adam Williams, a Gates County native, former teacher, and active parent volunteer, described his dual experience as an educator and a parent. “I went to East Carolina University and got my bachelor’s in history education, came back to Gates County and taught at Gates County High School for two years. I’ve also served on the Regional Head Start Advisory Council and as PTA president at Gatesville Elementary,” Williams said. “I have a vested interest in the next ten, fifteen years. I wanted to find the best way that I could help our schools, and this seems like the best way to do it.”

Experience and qualifications

Candidates were asked to explain what experiences prepared them for board service.

Hale tied his career to leadership skills. “I learned what leadership is, I learned what it’s not. I learned how to put people and build a coalition and try to make the right decisions for the right people. So that is the core of what I am, it’s the core of what I’m going to bring to this board,” Hale said.

Lolies emphasized his administrative and leadership roles. “I’ve served for a decade as the director of the Perquimans County Water Department, managing infrastructure, budgets, and personnel. These roles require transparency, accountability, and steady leadership. Years of coaching youth sports have also helped me build strong relationships with families and young people.”

Brothers described his human resources background. “Where I’ve assessed and compared students for internships and permanent positions, and it caused me to realize that primary and secondary education was the foundational building blocks for whatever career endeavor they wanted to pursue.”

Earhart cited her teaching and homeschooling experience. “I have a bachelor’s in elementary education, a master’s in early childhood education, and I was a classroom teacher in various districts, including urban, suburban, and rural, and one year at T.S. Cooper. I’ve been in low-performing schools as well as high-performing schools, and I think that the perspective of a teacher needs to be on the school board.”

Legg reflected on her decades inside classrooms. “My thirty-one years in the classroom have prepared me more than anything else. I understand the curriculum, accountability, budgeting, and community experience that comes from experience, not theory.”

Rountree detailed her insider perspective on district operations. “My thirty-eight years of experience from inside the Gates County School System has prepared me. I’ve seen how the decisions made by the board affect our students, staff, and community. Serving on COA Board of Trustees, Gates County Department of Social Services Board, and Gates County Housing Committee have given me great insight on effective governance, proper physical stewardship, and the importance of collaboration.”

Williams cited both teaching and parent involvement. “I’ve served on the Regional Head Start Advisory Council and as PTA president. That’s been a big part of my community contribution.”

Ryan highlighted her lifelong dedication to service. “When I began work, it was as a drug abuse counselor at a federal men’s correctional institution in Petersburg, Virginia. Later, I worked at DSS as a child protective service worker, and then with the school system. My professional and personal experience has always been grounded in service.”

Community contributions

Candidates highlighted their commitment to the Gates County community beyond professional experience.

Earhart described her church and homeschooling support: “My husband and I lead the Upper Room Assembly church in Gatesville. We have helped with many people who needed cars and appliances. I also took in a family into our homeschool during COVID because their mom had passed away.”

Lolies focused on youth sports and volunteer coaching. “I’ve coached several sports at the community center over the years. I’ve been in charge and coached church basketball over the years. I’m currently in my second year as the assistant softball coach at the high school. A lot of it has been supportive of local schools and volunteer work and community involvement. My approach is simple: show up, help where I’m needed, and make a positive impact.”

Ryan shared her leadership in addressing student needs beyond the classroom. “I was one of the five ladies who decided we would start Open Wide Backpack Ministry. This is a backpack ministry that administers to about eighty elementary school children every week, sending them home for food insecurity.”

Williams discussed his volunteer roles with local schools and historical projects. “I’ve served as PTA president for Gatesville Elementary. Before that, I served on committees, like the one to figure out what we were gonna do with this building, the old Gates County Courthouse. Everyone knows history is a passion of mine.”

Rountree highlighted her work with the Gates County Housing Committee. “There’s nothing more humbling or rewarding than seeing a senior citizen, a single parent, a veteran, or person with disabilities be able to remain in their home. Knowing that my volunteer work helps eliminate unsafe, unhealthy housing and prevents homelessness in Gates County through our neighbors coming together and helping each other out is most rewarding.”

Hale described his long-term commitment to youth athletics. “I spent the last nineteen years as president of the East Rec Park Baseball Association. It’s a parent-run organization. About three hundred and fifty kids participate each summer. I’ve also been the assistant varsity head baseball coach at Gates County High School for the last eleven years. I do the field maintenance and a lot of volunteer work elsewhere.”

Legg emphasized her decades of service inside schools. “My primary contribution has been serving students and families in the classroom, inside and outside the classroom, building relationships with parents and students.”

Brothers highlighted both professional and personal service. “Along with my wife, Diane, we’ve coordinated back-to-school programs, giving out gift bags. We’ve also coached Little League baseball, coordinated college tours for young students, and served as foster parents.”

Vision for the board

When asked about the duties of a school board member, Williams described advocacy as central. “The school board is a unique decision-making body. You can’t levy taxes. Your biggest job is to be an advocate for Gates County Schools and make sure the dollars appropriated are spent wisely.”

Hale emphasized leadership and vision. “A school board is to guide a school. They’re not to run day-to-day operations. They’re there to set a vision, set a goal, and start moving to it.”

Legg noted the bridge between community and schools. “It’s important to set policies, work with curriculum, student conduct, and personnel issues, and ensure fiscal responsibility. That involves collaborating with county commissioners to create reasonable budgets and long-term plans.”

Rountree stressed student success as central to board service. “The primary responsibility is to ensure every decision supports the success of our students and educators. We’re responsible for adopting policies, overseeing the superintendent, and ensuring our teachers, staff, and administrators have the support they need.”

Ryan emphasized supervision of leadership and policy. “The main thing in everything that we do is to remember that the students are number one, and that is who you are working for. The staff needs some help too.”

Brothers highlighted collaboration. “Working with other board members to develop effective procedures and policies that empower all students to be college or career-ready upon graduation.”

Earhart focused on balancing big-picture oversight with hands-on engagement. “The Board of Education should have both a thirty-thousand feet view of the needs of the district, as well as a hands-on role in helping teachers to help students.”

Lolies underlined visibility and accountability. “A school board member represents the community, supports the educators, and ensures students have the tools they need to succeed. It also means being visible, accessible, and willing to listen.”

Motivations for running

Rountree said, “Our schools are the heart of our community. The decisions made now will shape not just budgets and buildings, but the future of every student who walks through the doors of our schools. After thirty-eight years of serving our schools, I could not remain on the sidelines while critical decisions are being made. I’m running to be a strong, experienced voice for our students, educators, staff, and community.”

Lolies said, “Gates County is home. With my wife serving as an educator for more than twenty years, I’ve seen both the dedication of our teachers and the challenges they face. I want to strengthen communication, support our educators, and ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.”

Brothers cited a commitment to youth development. “I have a strong desire and a commitment to help the youth grow into productive citizens. That’s been shown by my entire career, both professionally and personally. We have a number of dedicated teachers who need to be supported, and that’s our job.”

Williams connected his motivation to parenting. “I’m a parent of Gates County students, so I have a vested interest in the next ten, fifteen years. I wanted to find the best way that I could help our schools, and this seems like the best way to do it.”

Earhart highlighted academic outcomes. “Only about forty-two percent of our students have been proficient in reading and math. That leaves six out of ten kids not able to read well or understand basic math problems. I want to help figure out the reason why and improve our outcomes.”

Ryan reflected on her experience and dedication to service. “When I first ran for the board of education, it was truly based on my concept of, okay, you’ve worked in the system, you’ve been a parent in the system, you’ve retired from the system, you know what’s going on. It was a desire to help and make our system as good as it was.”

Hale emphasized applying professional expertise locally. “I’ve seen firsthand how hard teachers work. I’ve seen firsthand how parents just want the best for their kids. That is what everybody wants here. This is a chance to bring my expertise to the board to help these students succeed in life.”

Legg said, “I’m staff inspired because I care about our schools and the people in them. I think there needs to be some trust restored, some accountability and leadership shown. After thirty-one years of teaching, I feel this is another way I can serve the community and make things better for the kids.”

Core values guiding decisions

Hale responded, “Integrity is the biggest thing. We cannot have crisis decisions being made. We cannot make emotional decisions. We have to make decisions based on numbers, and get input from everybody. Listen to teachers, administrators, and students. That is the value I promise to bring.”

Legg said, “I value fairness, honesty, integrity, and accountability. Every decision should be made with one question in mind: how is this gonna impact our students short term and long term?”

Earhart highlighted respect and dignity. “Every student, parent, and district employee deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. Issues can be difficult, but I would act with wisdom and thoughtfulness.”

Brothers said, “Integrity is at the top of the list. We need to be accountable, respectful, and have the courage to make tough decisions. These values exemplify how we walk and breathe every single day.”

Williams reflected on community bonds. “The values that would guide me are the same values I learned right here in Gates County Schools. We have a strong bond as a community to our public education system. We’re willing to do whatever it takes to make sure all of our kids have the best possible public education.”

Ryan emphasized opportunity and career readiness. “I think primarily, I will be bringing with me the desire to make sure our kids have wonderful opportunities, like we have a new Navy JROTC program and more career paths that are going to make them better citizens.”

Lolies summed it up simply: “Family, faith, transparency, and common sense.”

Rountree said, “The values that guide my decision-making begin with always putting students first. I believe in integrity, doing what is right, not what is easy. I believe in using data to inform our community, bringing people together, and fiscal responsibility. Above all, I lead with respect and empathy, because our schools succeed when people do.”