The Washington High School auditorium wasn’t necessarily crowded, but all in attendance were engaged. One candidate for state office after another addressed the state of public education, as well as recent legislation that many feel have undercut teachers and students alike.

District 6 N.C. Representative Paul Tine, former District 1 Senator, and current candidate for that office, Stan White, District 1 candidate Judy Krahenbuhl and District 3 N.C. House candidate Whit Whitley, all Democrats, all shared their views about public education — its present and future — in a North Carolina Association of Educators-sponsored forum last Thursday.

Each candidate introduced themselves with a brief speech to the 81 people in attendance, then took pre-screened questions from the audience as asked by moderator Jean Woolard.

“I guess the bad news is that we’re not all up here screaming and yelling at each other, because we all agree,” said Whitley during a lighter moment.

Most questions focused on recent changes in legislation and most answers from the candidates followed along the same lines.

White touched on the General Assembly’s decision to divert money from public education to charter schools and how those schools are able to exclude students by not offering transportation and/or free meals.

“The problem with charter schools is the low-income students technically can not get the same help, so they’re not going to go,” Whitley said, when asked the same question.

Another question addressed merit pay for teachers: “I teach the bottom of the barrel students, not exceptional or gifted students, how can I earn merit pay?”

“Every year is different, every class is different, every teacher is different,” Krahenbuhl answered. “It’s unfair.”

Another audience member asked if any of the candidates had any idea where the North Carolina Education Lottery money goes, which got a laugh from the candidates and audience members alike.

Tine, who had to leave the event early for another engagement, has recently been named to state Education Committee and has two children in the Dare County public schools.

“My main concern is funding education in rural counties,” Tine said. “We started out behind and these changes have put us further behind.”

The Washington forum was one of a series of forums hosted by NCAE throughout northeast North Carolina so voters can hear first-hand the candidates’ perspectives on public education — and where his or her potential vote may lie.

District 1 Senator Bill Cook, District 3 Representative Michael Speciale, District 6 House candidates Mattie Lawson and Ashley Woolard did not attend, but most sent their regrets.