Ronda Jean Mays

Ronda Jean Mays is the Democratic candidate for an at‑large seat on the Winston‑Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education in the 2026 general election on November 3. The at‑large seats are three county‑wide positions that help set district policy, approve the school budget, and oversee the superintendent and district operations [1].

Mays was born in Buffalo, New York, and graduated from the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts. She earned both a bachelor’s (1993) and a graduate degree (1995) from the State University of New York at Buffalo [1]. After completing her education, she pursued a career in social work, obtaining a North Carolina School Social Work license and working in a variety of roles—including medical social worker, lead therapist, program coordinator, and youth detention worker—from 1993 to 2007 [6].

For more than 25 years, Mays has served the Winston‑Salem/Forsyth County community as a school social worker. She held multiple positions within the district, including School Social Worker, Lead Graduation Coach (2021‑2022), Director of Family Engagement (2022‑2023), and most recently School Social Worker & Behavioral Liaison for Stokes County Schools (2023‑present) [6]. Her professional focus has been on crisis intervention, family engagement, attendance improvement, and building partnerships between schools and community agencies. Mays also served as President of the Forsyth County Association of Educators from 2015 to 2019, a leadership role that underscored her commitment to educators and public‑school advocacy [6][12].

Mays first entered electoral politics in 2024, running as the Democratic nominee for North Carolina State Senate District 31. She received 37.4% of the vote (47,035 votes) but was defeated by Republican Dana Caudill Jones, who captured 62.4% (78,429 votes) [1]. In the 2026 cycle, she successfully advanced from the Democratic primary for the at‑large school‑board seats, earning 16.3% of the vote (14,426 votes) and placing among the top three candidates who moved on to the November general election [1].

Her campaign platform emphasizes student‑centered education, transparency, and responsible budgeting. She advocates for strong academic programs, expanded mental‑health resources, and safe, supportive school environments for every child in the district. Mays pledges to maintain open communication with families, ensure equitable allocation of funds to classrooms and staff, and promote fiscal accountability in the district’s budget process [7].

Endorsements for Mays in the 2026 race include Everytown for Gun Safety, the Forsyth County Association of Educators, Gun Sense Voter, and Red Wine and Blue, reflecting broad support from gun‑safety, educator, and progressive coalitions [4].

Overall, Mays brings extensive hands‑on experience in school social work, proven leadership within educator organizations, and a record of public‑service campaigning to her bid for the Forsyth County Board of Education at‑large seat.

Sources

• [1] Ronda Mays - Ballotpedia
• [4] Endorsements for Ronda Mays - North Carolina Democratic Party Candidate
• [6] The Candidate - Ronda Mays for WS/FCS Board of Education
• [7] Ronda Mays for WS/FCS Board of Education
• [9] Ms Ronda J Mays on LinkedIn: Early Voting is taking place in Forsyth and Stokes Counties in North…
• [12] Candidates with ties to public education file together for state and county office | 88.5 WFDD