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Public commenters urge sustained DEI supports and ask board to retain Carver Heights art teacher
Summary
At the Wayne County Board of Education’s May 5 meeting, a resident urged the board to preserve diversity, equity and inclusion supports while an art teacher from Carver Heights asked to keep her visual‑arts position for 2025–26.
Two speakers addressed the board during the public comment period on May 5, raising concerns about equity and staffing.
Phyllis Merritt James, speaking as a concerned citizen, urged the board to resist efforts to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. James said DEI supports serve a broad set of students and families, including veterans, people with disabilities and Title I‑eligible children. She cited county demographic data and urged the board to “make precise, intentional decisions with the heart and thoughts of the least of these in mind.” James also asked the board to consider a replacement track at Goldsboro High, noting the current surface remained dirt.
Antoinette Williams, visual‑arts teacher at Carver Heights Elementary, told the board Carver Heights did not receive an art allotment for the 2025–26 school year and asked to remain in her position. Williams described art’s academic and social‑emotional benefits — creativity, problem solving, communication, cultural awareness — and explained that she also supports classroom teachers by assisting with small groups and behavior management. She said the state’s new elementary visual‑arts standards required professional development the staff had attended and argued removing art would waste that training. Williams concluded with a direct request: “Please consider me remaining at Carver Heights Elementary as the visual arts teacher for school year 2526.”
Board response: The board acknowledged both comments but did not take immediate action during the meeting; public‑comment items were recorded for follow‑up per normal district procedure.
Why it matters: Public commenters framed DEI and visual‑arts instruction as services that support vulnerable and underserved students. The art staffing request has operational implications for school assignments and budgeting for 2025–26, and the DEI comment touches on broader district policy choices.
Next steps: The superintendent and relevant staff will take the concerns under advisement; staffing and budget decisions will be addressed through the administrative process and committee briefings as appropriate.
