Tim Merrick

Board of Education Member

Voted against removing diversity, equity, and inclusion references from the district’s strategic plan.In 2023, voted against dissolving the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Committee. Merrick said, “If you disband the EDI committee, it tells the community you stand for dishonesty, partiality and injustice.”Posted a flyer warning about ICE that arrests that said, “If community members are detained, it will disrupt families, destroy due process further, and surely result in even more unjustified arrests.”Voted against removing lessons on topics such as gender identity and LGBTQ+ from the sex ed curriculum. He said, “When you teach about what it means to be lesbian or gay or trans, you allow people to be seen. You reduce the likelihood of bullying.”
Merrick was censured by the school board for his interactions with a teacher. The teacher was opposing the restriction of not being able to display a pride flag. It was alleged that Merrick violated school board protocols based on his interaction with the teacher.
In a Facebook post to Senator Tillis, Merrick said, “The reckless and brutal methods of ICE and Border Patrol are killing citizens and murdering our sense of decency, trust in government and reputation on the world stage. I must plead for you to halt any more funding for this terrible use of unnecessary force by unqualified and untrained thugs.”
On a radio show he said (21:55), “if you don’t want to follow and work with the curriculum in our schools . . . you should take your children out of school.” “If it’s your religion, go find a religious school that suits your needs.