Forsyth School Board Shakeup: Half of Incumbents Lose in Primary

In a significant shift for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education, three of the six incumbents seeking reelection were defeated in the recent primary elections. This outcome sets the stage for a dynamic general election, with 13 candidates advancing to vie for the nine available seats.

 

The board's structure comprises representatives from two districts—District 1 and District 2—alongside three at-large positions.

 

The incumbents who did not secure a place in the general election include:

 

In the at-large category, Richard Watts, a Democrat, was unseated.

 

In District 2, Republicans Susan Miller and Steve Wood were also defeated.

 

Conversely, the following incumbents successfully advanced:

 

From District 1, Democrats Trevonia Brown-Gaither and Alex Bohannon secured their positions. In District 2, Republican Robert Barr moved forward.

 

Among the standout candidates, Ronda Mays emerged as a leading figure in the at-large Democratic primary, garnering over 14,000 votes. A dedicated school social worker and former president of the Forsyth County Association of Educators, Mays emphasized the importance of bipartisan support, stating,

 

"All of us, no matter what your party, you want the children to have a quality education. You want them to have the opportunities in their school."

 

The District 2 race for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education drew one of the largest candidate fields in the primary and resulted in a major shakeup for incumbents. District 2 covers much of western Forsyth County, including communities such as Clemmons, Lewisville, parts of western Winston-Salem, and surrounding West Forsyth areas, making it especially relevant for many families in the Lewisville-Clemmons community.

 

Three current District 2 board members ran for re-election, but only one incumbent advanced past the primary. Robert Barr (Republican) secured enough votes to move on to the general election. As mentioned previously, Susan Miller and Steve Wood did not receive enough votes to move past the primary.

 

In the Republican primary, Bob Weiss, a former Army officer and business leader, received the highest vote total with about 15% of the vote. He was followed by Jill Nelson Berlin and Allen Daniel, with Robert Barr also advancing among the top finishers. Several other candidates competed in the race, including Tracy Lesser, Derrick Hinson, Zachary Hubbard and James Williams.

 

On the Democratic side, Lee Childress, an exceptional children (EC) teacher in the district, finished as the top vote-getter with more than 11,000 votes, followed by Susan Conway and Marie Jackson receiving significant support in the large Democratic field.

 

The District 2 race now moves to the November general election, where candidates will campaign on how to help guide Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools following last year’s financial challenges and ongoing debates about the district’s future.

The upcoming general election will also feature three Republican candidates who did not face primaries, adding further complexity to the race. With more than 30 candidates initially competing for the nine seats, the primary results underscore the community's vested interest in the direction of the school board, especially following a year marked by financial turmoil and other challenges.

 

As the November 3, 2026 general election approaches, Forsyth County voters will choose the final members of the school board. The current board consists of five Democrats and four Republicans, leaving open the possibility of a shift in its political balance. Under a new law, the board’s terms will be staggered, with five members serving four-year terms and four serving two-year terms to maintain continuity in future elections.