Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public commenters urge more diverse board representation, raise redistricting concerns and invite collaboration
Summary
Three speakers during the public comment period urged the board to diversify its membership, asked the district to consider neighborhood impacts of school assignments and invited board members to community conversations.
Three members of the public addressed the Johnston County Board of Education during the public comment period.
Deborah Bolin said the student population in the district is majority non-white and urged the board to pursue greater racial and cultural diversity among its membership, warning against unconscious bias in appointment processes. She said her comments were intended to encourage the board to take opportunities to diversify.
Ryan Jordan, community relations director for the Flowers Plantation development, told the board residents were concerned about proposed districting lines and potential split neighborhood assignments related to the planned Wilson Mills High School. Jordan said the community's growth is generating demand for an upper-level school and that residents want districting that keeps neighbors and longtime school cohorts together where possible.
Elizabeth (Liz) Lynn, a parent and representative of DownHome NC, thanked board members who recently met with community groups and encouraged continued public engagement. She invited board members and the superintendent to a public "check-in" event and said her organization hosts monthly public meetings intended to foster constructive conversations about county education issues.
The public comment period was limited to three minutes per speaker; the board received the remarks and did not take action on the items during the meeting.
