Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education members sworn in after delay

The recently elected Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education members were sworn in on Jan. 5, at a meeting that was supposed to take place a month earlier. 

The delay was the result of an election protest in the county barring members from swearing in until their elections were certified. 

Six newcomers and three incumbents took the oath of office on Thursday, and also voted on board leadership.

Deanna Kaplan, who has served on the board since 2018, was re-elected as chairperson.

“Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity to serve again as chair and I look forward to working with my vice chair,” Kaplan said. “And this distinguished group of board members, we bring so much greatness and diversity to this board, and I'm looking forward to a wonderful year working together.”

Alexandre Bohannon, who has served on the board since 2021, was elected as vice chairperson. Both of these votes were unanimous. 

Forsyth County Association of Educators President Val Young spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting.  She thanked board members for taking on the job, and pledged to work with them going forward. 

“We’d like to recommit ourselves to you, the board, that we will work together,” Young said. “We might not always agree with each other, but that we work together to make this district the best possible district for our students.”

The next board meeting will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 10. 

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.