Contact:

Gene Parker, Treasurer

Take Back our Schools-GCS
3620 Gainsboro Dr.
Greensboro, NC 27410
(336) 288-0159
genmarpaul@aol.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Take Back Our Schools Responds to School Leader Complaint

Deena Hayes, the chair of the Guilford School Board and Winston McGregor, the vice-chair sent a letter
to the Chair, NC State Board of Elections and copied the NC Secretary of State, Attorney General and Guilford
County Board of Elections requesting an immediate investigation into the activities of our organization. We are
a small, volunteer led, non-profit that has been advocating for quality education for all children in Guilford
County.

In their letter, they allege incorrectly that we are actively engaged in intensive and direct political activity that is
illegal for a 501(c)3 organization while acknowledging that we identify as a 501(c)4 on our website and social
media. Do they understand the difference in these classifications? We filed for 501(c)4 status on 7/27/22 and the
IRS approved our application. We have operated as a 501(c)4 since our inception about a year ago and have
received around $50,000 in mostly small donations from many, many concerned citizens in Guilford County.
Many of us are distressed about the results produced by the GCS including academic achievement and student
safety.

Deena and Winston go on to allege we have engaged in illegal campaign activities and have been involved in
harassment and outright lies. However, they did not cite even one example of any improper actions. They also
allege that our activity will “damage such a critical electoral process”. So, this is about the current school board
election and Deena and Winston appear to be unleashing the power of their positions and a budget that exceeds
$1 Billion against a tiny non-profit that wants to help improve our schools.

Has our group engaged in supporting candidates for the school board? Yes, we proudly support Linda Welborn,
Tim Andrew, Crissy Pratt and Demetria Carter since we believe they will implement the improvements that are
needed to improve academic performance and safety in our schools. Yet, the majority of our effort and funds
have gone to educating our citizens on the issues. An example of an issue is the fact that only 47% of GCS
students who took end-of-grade or end-of-course tests passed in 2021/22. This means that 53% FAILED. Yet
our school system wants us to believe that 92% of seniors graduate. How can this be?

In conclusion, the GCS website shows its moto to be “Better Together”. Wouldn’t make sense for Deena and
Winston to engage with those who have suggestions for improvements rather than to attack them?

For additional information contact Gene Parker at 336 288-0159 or genmarpaul@aol.com

###
"Take Back Our Schools" is a movement  taking place across our country. We are concerned citizens and parents
of students made up of various ethnic groups and backgrounds who came together to make our schools safe,
physically and emotionally.  We want what is best for ALL students, teachers, bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria
staff, secretaries, guidance counselors, administrators, SRO's and all other staff.  We believe that every student
deserves a great education.