Wilson County Schools Need to Follow The Policy

There was a Wilson County School Board meeting Monday evening. However, prior to the scheduled November meeting back in October Wilsonian Kay Hannaford submitted the following message to the Wilson County School Board. Don't Change Policy, Just Follow It .

Policy 1326.4 states: "If the Board directs the Chairman or the Administration to respond to the concerns, the written response shall beentered into the Board's official record at the next regular meeting, as long as the response does not contain information that is required to be kept confidential by the North Carolina Public Records Law."

Although that has been the policy since 1995, it has not been followed by the board(s) or the administration. Since no verbal responses are given to any public inquiry and all responses are in writing. It is important to have a complete and accurate accounting in the minutes.

"A file of the written responses to all persons speaking to the Board shall be maintained in the Superintendent's Office and all members of the Board of Election shall receive a copy of the written response. Written responses that relate to general policies or practicies of the school system may also be posted on the school system's website at the direction of the Superintendent. The Superintendent may also include his report to the Board at the next meeting any commentary or response he deems appropriate on matters involving general policies or practices of the school system.

First it isn't the board makig the change, it is the superintendent. He is the "gatekeeper." If persons choose to address the board with their concerns, then they are looking for assistance from their elected representatives. Usually those who bring concerns tot he board have not received adequate response or resolution from the administration. Why should the superintendent keep the information in his office? Putting the response on the Website makes absolutely no sense. Why post ison a website but not put it in the official record or minutes? This is not a good solution tot he problem.

Personally, I don't think there should be a revision of this policy. Policy 1326.4 is clear and concise and serves the purpose to which it was intended. If the board or administration chooses to respond in writing then those responses need to be entered into the minutes of the next meeting so the record is complete. Don't modify or complicate this policy, just follow it.

* Article received via Kay Hannaford to Wilsonian Voices.
Thank you Robert James for serving as the courier.