Public Schools First NC and the North Carolina PTA are hosting a forum for state superintendent candidates this September.
Democrat Mo Green and Republican Michelle Morrow will participate in the event, with Jeff Tiberii of WUNC moderating.
"We believe it's important to have an opportunity for the candidates to be together and respond to questions, and have people around the state hear directly from the candidates on their positions and their vision," Heather Koons, director of communications at Public Schools First NC, emphasized the importance of the forum.
The forum will be live-streamed, with registered participants receiving a link on the morning of the event. Both candidates will answer the same set of questions about their vision for public education in North Carolina.
The state superintendent's race is often a low-information affair for many voters. It doesn't garner as much media attention as presidential or gubernatorial races. Koons says that's why its important to get to know the candidates through events like the September forum.
"The superintendent of public instruction is the leader of public education in the state. So it's a critically important position," Koons said.
Green has served a superintendent of Guilford County Schools, as well as the deputy superintendent, chief operating officer and general counsel for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Morrow is a registered nurse who homeschooled her children. She previously lost a race for school board in Wake County, where she was endorsed by Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson.
Green so far has campaigned on a need for increased education funding in North Carolina, pointing out that the state is about $5,000 per student below the national average and ranks 46th in the country for beginning teacher pay. He's criticized Morrow, too, particularly regarding her alleged calls for a Trump coup on January 6. He described her comments as "incredibly dangerous" in an interview on CNN's The Lead.
Morrow gained attention after defeating incumbent Catherine Truitt in the Republican primary for state superintendent. She's run on school safety and parent-friendly schools, arguing crime in schools is out of hand and endorsing a Parents' Bill of Rights.
The forum takes place September 14 online. Registration for the event can be found here or on Public Schools First NC's website.
