School board debates public update on removed book, schedules curriculum committee review

The New Hanover County Board of Education debated whether to provide a public update on a book that was removed from a classroom, with some trustees calling for immediate transparency and others urging the matter be handled through the district—s curriculum process.

Board member Judy Justice asked for an update on "what's going on with the alternative to the book stamped that was taking out of that class," saying the public deserved clarity after more than a year of delay. "The whole idea is transparency in communication, which is always a challenge," Justice said.

Why it matters: the exchange highlighted tension between members who want a public accounting of curriculum decisions and members who prefer that curriculum staff and the curriculum committee complete a review before the matter is discussed again in full board session. That difference shaped several motions and votes at the agenda-review meeting, and the board ultimately agreed the curriculum committee will address the item and that an informational update will be included on the next regular meeting agenda.

Trustees and staff described the timeline and the process. Several trustees said the dispute dates back roughly 16–18 months. Board member Tim Merrick argued the full board should hear an update so the public knows where the review stands and why it has taken time: "I think it is time to have a conversation," Merrick said. He proposed adding a brief update under the meeting—s information section so the curriculum office could explain the status and obstacles.

Other trustees urged patience and process. Board member David Perry warned against rushing the work for the sake of media attention: "I don't think there's any rush, other than trying to appease the public uproar in news articles to actually, you know, get this done now." Pat Bradford said she opposed bringing the item back to the full board immediately because she wanted the district to avoid further inflaming the community.

Motions and votes: Merrick moved to add an informational update about the removed book to the agenda; the motion was seconded. The board considered a procedural motion to end debate (a call of the question) but the call failed to reach the required two-thirds threshold. Later, when the board voted specifically on adding the update under information, the roll call produced three votes in favor and four opposed, and that motion failed (3–4). The transcript shows the three yes votes came from Board members David Perry, Tim Merrick and Judy Justice; the four no votes came from other trustees present.

After further discussion, Justice moved for the item to be placed on the upcoming regular meeting agenda with additional information gathered by then. The chair noted that the update would appear as part of the next meeting—s information items (the curriculum committee is scheduled to meet in June), and staff said the curriculum office would be prepared to brief trustees so the public could learn the status and next steps. The transcript records no separate final roll-call defeating that placement; the board treated the matter as scheduled for the next meeting's information section.

What the board said about process: trustees repeatedly emphasized that the curriculum office is responsible for reviewing instructional materials and that the curriculum committee is the routine venue for that work. Board members noted a district policy that, when an item is motioned and seconded, the board must address it within a set number of sessions; Merrick cited that requirement while arguing for a full-board update. Staff and trustees also explained practical constraints such as curriculum committee meeting schedules (the office indicated the committee would next meet in June).

Next steps: district staff said they would prepare an informational update for the next regular meeting, and the curriculum committee will review the matter formally. The board did not adopt any new policy or take final action on curriculum content at this meeting.

The board—s discussion and the vote make clear the trustees are divided over immediate public updates versus following the established curriculum-review process; staff will report back to trustees at the next meeting so the public can see the status of the review.