Frank James (North Carolina school board member)
Frank James (Democratic Party) is running for election for an at-large seat of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools school board in North Carolina. James is on the ballot in the Democratic primary on March 3, 2026.[source]
James completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Frank James graduated from R.J. Reynolds High School. James earned a bachelor's degree from Swarthmore College in 1992 and a graduate degree from Wake Forest University in 2001. James' career experience includes working as a teacher.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, North Carolina, elections (2026)
General election
The primary will occur on March 3, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
General election for Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools school board At-Large (3 seats)
Jason Lucero (R) and Michael Quinones (R) are running in the general election for Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools school board At-Large on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Jason Lucero (R) | ||
 | Michael Quinones (R) | |
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
Democratic primary for Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools school board At-Large (3 seats)
The following candidates are running in the Democratic primary for Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools school board At-Large on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Richard Watts | ||
 | Valerie Brockenbrough | |
| Vondell Davis | ||
| Donald Dunn | ||
 | Frank James | |
 | Gwendolyn Johnson | |
 | Ronda Mays | |
 | Henry McCarthy | |
 | Elisabeth Motsinger | |
 | Linda Winikoff | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary
The Republican primary scheduled for March 3, 2026, was canceled. Jason Lucero (R) and Michael Quinones (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools school board At-Large without appearing on the ballot.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Frank James completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by James' responses.
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During that time I became a parent of two daughters, and I became actively involved in their education. I also became a youth soccer coach. Those two things changed the trajectory of my career. I came to realize that I love being around kids and watching them learn and grow. During my youngest child's senior year of high school I began the transition into middle school mathematics education where I have worked for the last twelve years.
If you have been following the news this past year you know about the fiscal failures of the current Board.
I am running to give the people of Forsyth County a clear alternative. My priorities are straightforward and focused on rebuilding trust and excellence in WSFCS: 1) Restoring strong financial oversight, transparency and community trust
2) Refocusing classrooms on learning
3) Making WSFCS a source of community pride I am ready to bring integrity, experience, and a steady hand to the WSFCS Board of Education. The Forsyth County community deserves nothing less.
You can find more details at my website: fjames4schools.org or on Facebook at: Frank M James for WSFCS Board of Education At-Large.- I bring a strong background in finance and governance, along with the discipline to ask hard questions and demand clear, accurate answers. I will insist on transparent budgeting, regular public financial reporting, and independent oversight that allows the community to understand how every dollar is spent.
Restoring trust requires more than words. It requires systems that prevent mismanagement before it happens. I will advocate for clear accountability, timely disclosure of financial risks, and policies that ensure the Board is fully informed before approving budgets, contracts, and staffing decisions.
With proper oversight and transparency, we can ensure resources are used where they matter most: supporting student learning. - As an educator, I have seen firsthand how a small number of chronic disruptions can derail instruction for an entire class. When learning environments are not protected, students disengage, teachers burn out, and families lose confidence in the school system. That is not fair to students who come to school ready to learn, nor to the educators tasked with teaching them. As a member of the Board of Education, I will advocate for policies that prioritize instructional time, support teachers when they address disruptive behavior, and ensure that discipline practices are both fair and effective. Accountability and compassion are not opposites, and both are necessary for a safe, orderly environment where learning can thrive.
- Restoring pride begins with leadership that is honest, competent, and accountable. When the district is well-managed, transparent in its decisions, and focused on its core mission, confidence follows; teachers feel supported, students feel valued, and families feel proud to be part of their neighborhood schools. As a member of the Board of Education, I will work to rebuild that trust by promoting stability, respecting the professionalism of our employees, and ensuring the district communicates clearly and truthfully with the public. Pride is not created through slogans or public relations; it is earned through consistent actions, responsible governance, and a visible commitment to doing what is right for students and staff.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 1, 2026
