Forsyth County Georgia Board of Education - Jere Krischel - 10/22/2024

In two weeks, we go to the polls to replace three members of our school board. Over the past three years of school board meetings, I've grown to appreciate and respect all of you sitting up there, weathering the storm of sometimes raucous and rowdy public participation.

Darla, I remember you personally answering my phone call, well before critical race theory was a popular topic, and addressing my worries about the DEI programs in our district. I feared it was going to turn my new home into another crazy California, and I'm happy that didn't happen. You were kind, attentive, and if Chris Grimes does just half as good as you've done, we'll be well served.

Lindsey, I've seen you work as a bridge builder here, and I love the connections that you've been able to make with the public, on both sides of contentious issues. I know you might not agree with every speech I've made at this podium, but you've always made me feel listened to, so thank you very much for your patience with me. I hope Trisha Hoyes is able to carry on in the same spirit.

And last, but not least, Tom - your years of experience on the board, and long term perspective, that few other people have, on the growth and progress made in Forsyth County over the decades, will be missed. I think all too often people seem to forget just how good things have become over the years, and instead focus on the panic of the day at hand. Your insight into the history here has helped keep us all grateful for how far we've come along. Dorian Usherwood has some really big shoes to fill, and all of us have been blessed by your service.

In other news, I hear there is a presidential election happening too, and somehow, democracy might end if we keep eating at McDonald's or something. I tried not to think too hard about it, and just voted for the one that didn't ruin California so much that I moved to Georgia in 2020.

Now, no matter who you're going to vote for, please vote if it is legal for you to do so. The purpose of elections isn't to pick a winner, it's to convince the loser that they lost fair and square. A credible election is hard to do when we don't have same-day, in-person, with voter ID required voting, but, we have to do the best we can, in Forsyth County, in Georgia, and in every other State of the Union. Whoever wins must do so overwhelmingly, so that even if there is cheating, it isn't enough to sway the election.

And with that being said, let me express my gratitude to all my fellow Forsyth County residents. Forsyth County was recently recognized as the "Best County" in all of Georgia for 2024, citing our low poverty rate, our high rate of adults with bachelor's degrees, our high life expectancy, and our high median household income. Needless to say, I think a big part of those numbers is the exceptional school district we have, because that's exactly what attracts rich, educated people to an area.

So, again, I sincerely thank Mitch, and all the members of the Board, for giving me an opportunity to speak, on behalf of those who share my point of view, but don't always have the ability to make it here on a Tuesday evening. All of your hard work, dedication, and love for our county, state, and country, has kept Forsyth County Great. I'm not the only refugee from California who ended up here, but I definitely feel like the most thankful.

And so on that note, thank you very much for your time, and again, I'd love to buy lunch for anyone who disagrees with me.