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Public asks board about remote‑voting policy, audio access and campus maintenance
Summary
Resident Jonathan Davis asked when the Craven County Board of Education changed its remote‑participation and voting policy, complained about inaudible remarks for remote viewers and raised concerns about uneven lawn maintenance and outstanding public‑records requests.
Jonathan Davis, a New Bern resident, asked the Craven County Board of Education when the district changed its policy on remote participation and voting. "When did the board publicly change, I guess the policy when it comes to remote voting?" Davis asked, noting an instance on Dec. 17, 2024 when a remote participant cast a vote and seeking the date and approver for the current policy.
Davis also criticized audio quality for remote viewers and urged the board’s attorney to "talk into the mic" so the public can hear legal advice or answers offered in open session. "With the volume all the way up on a TV... you cannot hear you other than when you pray," he said.
On facilities, Davis asked how many staff are assigned to lawn maintenance and noted that some campuses appeared well kept while others had long, uncut grass. He requested the district report the number of maintenance staff last year versus now. Davis additionally asked whether the board has set a fee schedule for "4 year requests" and raised outstanding Freedom of Information Act requests that he said remain unresolved.
Chair Lori Spies told the meeting that the board adopted its remote‑participation policy in March 2025 and that remote participants are allowed to engage in open and closed session but are not counted toward quorum and do not have roll‑call votes. The board did not take immediate action on lawn maintenance staffing, FOIA backlogs, or a fee schedule; those items were discussed as issues raised under public input for future follow up.
