BY KARISSA MILLER

The Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education has approved the appointment of its two newest members to serve on a newly formed legislative committee.

The purpose of the legislative committee is to serve as a liaison for the school board while also advocating for public education issues to local and state officials.

School Board Chairman Doug Knight, who announced the legislative committee on February 10, explained to the board that the chair has the authority to make committee assignments and recommend them for board approval.

He then appointed Kevin Angell and Ronda Hoke to serve on the new legislative committee.

“Both of these individuals have a long history with both local and state level officials,” Knight said. “Part of the legislative committee is that they need to be able to interface with these legislative bodies and elected individuals, regarding issues, policy, funding and procedures germane to Iredell County and children and their well-being.”

Hoke, who was born and raised in Iredell County, is involved in local politics and county government for many years and has been a part of many boards.

“He knows how to get things done and the processes it takes, in my opinion,” Knight said.

Hoke expressed his gratitude to the chairman and fellow board members.

He said that there have been disagreements between the school board and county commissioners and maybe some state legislators.

“I think it’s time that we all come to the same table. We talk; we discuss it; we come to a conclusion. We know that there is money out there that needs to come to Iredell County. We need to do our due diligence and make everything come together,” Hoke said.

The chairman said that Angell was a good fit because he also sits on many boards in the community and has worked tirelessly with leaders at the state and local levels with his work as executive director of Children’s Homes of Iredell County.

Angell thanked the chair for his vote of confidence.

“Ultimately, our duty is to communicate with our elected officials and then bring that back to the board for decisions and understanding. It will take an integrated and multi-faceted approach … all of the formalities you would expect is my commitment to you as colleagues,” Angell said.

After the committee gets some traction and a routine, Angell said that he hopes the outcome will create “elevated transparency.”

Knight said that the members will report quarterly to the board and that the board will re-evaluate the committee after one year.

Knight said that the goal is to establish a “good relationship” and improve communications with local and state elected officials.

The legislative committee will focus on four areas:
♦ Funding for high impact tutoring and other educational needs. I-SS will lose this funding because it was paid for out of federal ESSER funds.
♦ Specific ways to attract and retain quality teachers.
♦ Communicate regularly regarding capital projects now and in the future.
♦ Advocate for better and enlightened grading system for N.C. public schools.

The key difference between a task force and a committee, Knight explained in an interview, is that a task force is typically formed to address a specific project, while a committee usually has ongoing responsibilities and focuses on broader goals.

The other committee assignments are Parkertown School, which are served by Anita Kurn and Hoke, and the facilities task force, which includes Kurn, Abby Trent and former school board member Charles Kelly.

Knight said that he will eventually a replacement for Kelly.