Amy Churchill’s 3rd term as Buncombe County Schools Board member for the Roberson School District ends in 2024. Mrs. Churchill is the only Republican to hold elected office within Buncombe County government.
February 9, 2021: After winning her third term in the 2020 election, voices of discontent with the school board member rose to the point that parents began calling for her resignation. Frustrated parents call for the resignation of Buncombe County school board member over her support for keeping schools closed.
Crossing Party Lines: Endorsements and Campaigns
In October 2022, the Republican school board member published a Facebook post endorsing the Democrat candidates for three open seats. She then actively campaigned against the three Republican candidates for those seats – implying that one was a racist and also referring to him as a “pig“. Campaign finance records show that she donated $250 to at least one of the Democrat candidates.
Mrs. Churchill offered several excuses for campaigning against the Republican candidates instead of mentoring them to help fashion their messages better. This writer believes that Mrs. Churchill wants badly to be a part of the “Good old girls club” on the school board. You can see this in her interactions with the other board members. Nevertheless…. This is a textbook example of disloyalty to the Republican party.
Mask Mandate Controversy and Legislative Votes
Every voting Republican NC Senator voted in favor of NC Senate Bill 173 (Free the Smiles) in February 2022, while all but one voting Democrat opposed the bill. In March 2022, every Democrat supported the governor’s veto of the bill, while every Republican in the Senate voted to override the veto.
In personal Facebook posts, Mrs. Churchill argued in favor of mandatory masking of schoolchildren, despite opposition from conservative constituents who viewed the mandates as an infringement on personal liberties.
Mrs. Churchill also voted to continue face mask mandates for children on August 13, 2021, September 2, 2021 (when she also seconded the motion), October 7, 2021, November 4, 2021 (when she also seconded the motion), December 2, 2021 (when she also seconded the motion), January 13, 2022, and February 3, 2022 (when she also seconded the motion).
The fact that she seconded so many of these motions suggests that she wasn’t simply going along with the crowd. It seems more like she was leading the charge.
Second Amendment Dispute and Gun Control Stance
Republicans generally are opposed to threats against our Second Amendment rights. However, Mrs. Churchill shared a FaceBook post in October 2022 promoting an article published by the gun control organization “Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund” that laid out that organization’s plan to “keep children safe” through gun control legislation and other measures.
Visitors to this organization’s website are greeted by misinformation that is a trademark of gun control activists. For example, the website declares, “Every year, police in America shoot and kill more than 1,000 people. The combination of systemic racism, white supremacy, America’s gun culture, and the militarization of police is toxic—and Black people in particular are paying with their lives.”
Debate over HB324 and Racist Ideology Concerns
Every Republican NC Senator voted in favor of HB324 (Ensuring Dignity and Nondiscrimination/Schools) on August 26, 2021, and every voting Democrat voted against the bill. Every Republican in the NC House voted in favor of the bill on Sept 1, 2021, while every Democrat in the House voted against the bill. Note that the bill never claims that the principles of racist ideology are provably being used to indoctrinate children in public schools. Rather, it seeks to discourage and prevent that from ever happening.
Public Outcry and Board’s Response
Over 90 citizens sent emails to the Buncombe County school board. Rather than offering any serious consideration of the request that the board support HB324, Mrs. Churchill appeared more interested in ensuring that the other board members did not form an opinion that she had “used the terms ‘tainted’ and ‘racist ideology’ to share what” …she had said during a conversation with this author. The email and her response to one sender can be found at this link.
Mrs. Churchill’s tenure leaves a trail of controversy. Her support for extended school closures and mask mandates sparked significant discontent within her own party. Additionally, her unprecedented endorsements of Democratic candidates and public disagreements with conservative constituents further fueled division.
Churchill maintains that there is no room for politics on the school board and that she should not be expected to adhere to her party’s platform. However, her alignment with left-wing policies and public disputes with conservative constituents have left many questioning her loyalty and motivations.
It is crucial for Republican voters to reflect on the importance of steadfast representation. The choices made at the ballot box will shape the future of our school board and the values it upholds. It is vital for the conservative community to stay informed and take decisive action.
