Choice For Board Of Historically Black NC College Criticized

Some alumni and politicians are questioning a choice for the board of trustees of Winston-Salem State University.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports criticism is being directed at Ken Raymond in part because he successfully pushed to move a voting site away from the school's campus.

Raymond, a Republican, is chair of the Forsyth County Board of Elections and a WSSU alumnus. Senate Leader Phil Berger appointed Raymond in June to the board of trustees of Winston-Salem State.

Forsyth County commissioner Fleming El-Amin says he's concerned that Raymond has a bias against the university because of his effort to remove campus precinct voting.

Brenda Diggs, a former trustee and board member for the school, called Raymond's appointment “disingenuous” because of his actions on student voting.

Raymond maintains that while serving as an election observer in 2013, he overheard WSSU students say they would receive class credit for voting.

Raymond says he hasn't personally heard any criticism from alumni.