An open letter to the Henderson County Board of Public Education
Voters: As you prepare to go to the polls, we thought it was important to bring the following to your attention. We sent the letter below to each member of the current Board of Public Education. We are awaiting their response.
(And as you vote, remember you do not have to vote in races where someone is running unopposed, and in the school board race, you can vote for only the two Democrats running even though you can vote for three people. It's OK to withhold your vote from someone you do not want in office.)
Our letter:
October 15, 2026
Members:
During the School board meeting on Monday, Oct. 12, a concerned community member presented allegations that are disturbing to us and the community.
This community member alleged that someone with the same name as one of the school board members posted bond for a man who was later convicted of 12 counts of child sexual abuse and sentenced to 60 years in prison.
We request that you clarify two important points about these allegations.
- Did that board member post the bond as alleged?
- Is Shelia Dale the board member being referred to?
We are concerned that our all-Republican school board chose to not respond to these allegations at the meeting. And if the allegations are accurate, we are more concerned that the school board member exercised extremely poor judgment which the voters in Henderson County should be allowed to consider. The board's inattention to this matter is troubling.
We request a written statement from the board that identifies the member in question, confirms or denies the allegations and clarifies whether the board retains faith in this individual as a board member.
Time is of the essence here. Henderson County voters are currently deciding whether they have confidence in our current board members and wish to retain them or whether it would be prudent to select other members.
Respectfully,
Linda Ford
Chair
Henderson County Democratic Party
Drake English
Vice Chair
Henderson County Democratic Party
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