The Kernersville Board of Aldermen signaled strong support Tuesday for a $5,000 grant to help local teachers provide educational materials — but the intended recipient shifted as the meeting unfolded.

Town Manager Curtis Swisher told the board that while the Winston-Salem Foundation recently launched a Classroom Supplies Fund that has attracted local interest, state law constrains direct municipal gifts to outside nonprofits. He urged the board to send dollars only where the public purpose is clear. 

Your opinion counts — Vote today in our Local Favorites 2025 survey!

That distinction steered the conversation toward a practical alternative. Mayor Dawn Morgan suggested routing the money through the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce, which already runs an education grant program serving local schools. 

Chamber President Chris Comer, in attendance at the meeting, emphasized that the grant process is rigorous and that several requests went unfilled this year. She offered to deliver more information for the board to review.

Alderman Chris Thompson pushed for the dollars to stay in Kernersville. Swisher advised that the chamber route could be the board’s best bet. 

Comer and town staff will refine the plan and return to the board with details at the January 6 meeting, where aldermen could formalize the contribution and specify how the funds will be allocated to local teachers.

Click here for more information about the grant program or how you can help local teachers receive the funding they need.

Send news tips, letters to the editor, or hot takes to editor@scopenewsonline.com! 

Copyright 2025 Informed Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without express written consent.