Richard Watts

At-Large Member, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Richard Watts is a candidate for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education At-Large in Winston-Salem, North Carolina — 2026 Primary Election. Running as Democratic Party.

Richard Watts has a career in public education spanning over 32 years as both a teacher and an administrator. He has served as a teacher at Wiley Middle School, an assistant principal at Southwest Elementary School, and as principal at Kimberley Park Elementary, Julian Gibson Elementary, and Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy. He was recognized as Principal of the Year twice by his peers. Watts earned a Master's degree in education from Wake Forest University and a Bachelor of Arts from Winston-Salem State University. He is also the assistant director of the AAMPED (African American Males Pursuing Educational Dreams) program for Crosby Scholars and has been the pastor at Rickards Chapel AME Zion Church for over 36 years. He was elected to the Board of Education in November 2022, with his current term ending in 2026.