‘Bring Your Legislator to School’ Day Makes Its Way to Asheville City Schools
Asheville, North Carolina
With around six weeks left in the school year, Asheville City Schools welcomed some visitors on Monday for the second year in a row for “bring your legislator to school” day.
“Of course, I said yes as soon as I was invited,” District 115 Representative Lindsey Prather expressed. “Even within the last five, six, seven years, we’ve seen a lot of differences in the ways schools are used.”
Prather, along with District 49 Senator Julie Mayfield and District 114 Representative Eric Ager, visited Asheville Middle School to gain insights into the educational system. The lawmakers were keen on understanding how over $17 billion, accounting for over half of the state’s budget, is being invested in education.
Legislators Prioritize Informed Decision-Making
“It’s incredibly important that all of us as legislators know what that money is going to and are able to intelligently talk about what’s going on in our schools,” Prather emphasized. “It can be easy to get wrapped up in the political aspect of education. It was important to me to be abreast of what is happening in our schools right now.”
Visiting classes in both Ira B. Jones Elementary School and the middle school, the legislators were impressed with the educators’ efforts in instilling values beyond academic learning.
Building Inclusiveness and Support
“It is the school’s job to teach kindness, welcoming, and inclusiveness,” Mayfield noted. “They have to deal with every child that walks in these doors. Their job is to make sure that everyone feels that they have a place here and are not marginalized.”
Principal Jo Landreth of Asheville Middle School expressed her belief that the legislators’ presence would assure educators of the state’s support for students. “I think having seen three legislators in our building today will help them know that those folks are trying to do what’s best for students,” Landreth stated.
Encouraging Bipartisan Efforts
With the event still in its nascent stage, participating legislators anticipate more of their colleagues to join in the future. “I would love to see this more of a bipartisan effort to show that we are interested in what’s going on in our schools and that we want to continue to support that,” Prather added.
Mayfield echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of regular school visits beyond designated days. “The more we’re all in schools and seeing the need firsthand, talking to teachers, administrators, and students, the more open we’re going to be and more likely to solve these problems,” Mayfield said.
Future Engagements for a Better Educational System
Both Mayfield and Prather expressed their intentions to find time on other occasions to visit schools and engage with the educational community. Their commitment reflects a proactive approach towards understanding and improving the state’s education system.
As Asheville City Schools continue to prioritize collaboration between legislators and educators, the hope for a more supportive and inclusive educational environment remains strong.
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