Editorial: Don’t
bash Koontz in
Faith closure talks

I’m a teacher in Durham, where we are battling charters to keep our student populations in public schools. It’s a very different problem, but it stems from the same problems that all public schools are facing right now (unfair school evaluations, underfunding, lack of resources, high child poverty rates, etc.).

— Rena Nicole

Rowan County has a shrinking population — the school system has gone from 19,000 students to 17,000 in the past 10 years. There are few charter schools in theh area. We built two new elementary schools in East Rowan over the past 20 years but never closed any. Now, we are looking to close two of the oldest.

— Doug Sokolowski

I do not believe that it is the intent of Faith parents to “bash” the students at Koontz. The students at Koontz are the victims of a broken school and system. The parents of children at Faith Elementary understand and are justifiably concerned. What needs to be addressed is the motive behind this school closure. Koontz is a recurring low-performing school. Anyone can say that test scores are not the most important thing in education, but they are certainly a good indicator.

— Karen Bowyer

Rowan-Salisbury school board sets public hearings …

Maybe we can get the county commissioners to listen to us. We don’t want our tax dollars, and a portion of those tax dollars come from Faith residents, spent elsewhere. We won’t vote in favor of anything that takes tax money and gives it to Rowan-Salisbury Schools, let alone buildings that will cost far more in the long run than fixing the current schools we have

— Christine Bragg

Justices question courts’ role in partisan redistricting

What happens if Democrats regain control of the N.C. General Assembly in 2020 and, thus, control the decennial redistricting process after the 2020 census? These lawsuits will evaporate, and Republicans will launch their own suits on the exact same grounds.

— Eric Shock

… Kannapolis breaks ground on downtown investment

Will the apartments be for sale or lease? My guess is lease. That’s what I see everywhere in the Triangle area. There’s opportunity to invest. I hope I’m wrong.

— Jeffrey Grady

Letter: Rededicating ‘Fame’ to all veterans could help

The idea is reasonable, which is why the NAACP will never agree with it. Also, why should any Confederate descendant of good conscience compromise on this with people who consider memories of our own Southern ancestors as bigotry, condemn the graves of these men as symbols of hatred and condemn our ancestors as “traitors?”

So long as that hateful and divisive rhetoric exists by the opposition, no compromise ever.

— Carl W. Roden

Letter: Reconsider changing city park tennis courts

The courts are used for lessons for kids that can’t afford the country club. They got rid of the courts at the civic center for a dog park. North Rowan High and East Rowan High do not have courts. Both of the middle schools do. That’s why they play at the park.

— Kristin Stauffer

New elections board sworn in, discusses voter ID rules

How will voter ID prevent election fraud like N.C.’s 9th Congressional District race, where the Republican candidate secured the services of a known fraudster?

— Karen McGee Puckett

Landis town manager to address high utility rates Monday

While Landis residents pay a premium for electricity, they are said to enjoy exceptionally great service compared to consumers outside the town. Will this municipal election bring about a discussion regarding the merits as well as the drawbacks of a town-owned electric utility?

— Jeff Morris

I’m a Kannapolis resident and forced to pay a premium for the same services Duke provides. I see no benefit, and the money made could have been used to find better forms of energy or lower the cost for those using said utilities. That’s especially true considering how many older folks around here aren’t given enough through Social Security to pay their utilities and buy food.

— Anna Coots

… Hearing on Faith closure canceled; new meeting scheduled

When board members are willing and actually send their children or grandchildren to a consistently F-rated school, then, perhaps, the parents of high-ranking Faith Elementary would consider doing so.

… Gemale Black proves that ‘young people do have a voice’

Gemale is a fine young man and an asset for Salisbury. He serves as a role model for all youth. Thank you for your service to our community, Gemale.

— George W. Benson

Landis manager addresses possible utility rates …

The meeting was a joke. The more than 25 residents in the “overflow” meeting space couldn’t hear 75% of what was said due to the poor equipment set-up. A change of venue has to be made for meetings going forward to be in compliance with the law. Mayor Mike Mahaley should be ashamed of himself for “continuing to brag” on Reed Linn. Their personal friendship affected Mahaley’s ability to hold Linn accountable, which created the situation that the town is in today.

— Shelley Young  Morgan

Mayor Mike Mahaley wants to continue to brag on Reed Linn. Well, Linn’s defense is going to be that Mahaley approved the money he and Gibson allegedly stole.

— Kenny Goodman

School board pumps brakes on school closures

Pump the brakes, come to a full stop and remove the key from ignition.

— Jay Mack Williams

Rowan-Salisbury Schools asks local legislators for extra funding for ‘renewal’

Neither Pittman nor Ford have strong pro-public education records. At times they have supported charters and vouchers under the guise of “choice.” Rowan-Salisbury Schools hemorrhages 200 students per year, and these two are meeting with Superintendent Lynn Moody? Community beware. Keep your public schools public, even under renewal status.

— James Bucky Carter

Community responds to pause in school closure talks

The answer is simple. Just raise taxes 10% and give everybody what they want. I am sure the elderly and others on a fixed income would be thrilled to pay more taxes to heat and maintain underutilized and outdated schools so that parents are not inconvenienced.

— Michael Stridick