Community speakers urge mental-health supports and higher teacher pay; students showcase arts at board meeting

During the public-comment portion of the meeting two speakers addressed the board. Dr. Catherine Washington Williams, pastor at Chestnut AME Zion Church and a psychologist, described a community program she calls "3 T's," a monthly gathering intended as a safe space for middle- and high-school students to discuss life challenges, relationships and mental health. Dr. Williams asked the board to help publicize the program and to consider ways the schools could support community-based, noncounseling mentoring spaces for students.

Later in public comment, resident Michael (Mike) Sawaya, who said he has lived in Lee County since 1981 and has a grandson in first grade, raised concerns about teacher recruitment and retention. Sawaya cited a figure he described as "1.7 vacancies per school" in Lee County and said neighboring districts have lower vacancy rates; he urged the board to consider supplement increases to retain teachers.

The board marked March as Arts in Our Schools Month, noting a proclamation signed by North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein. Student performers from JR Ingram Elementary and Wesley Middle School performed; three high-school seniors (Timothy Flowers, Dylan Allen and Thomas Parr) described how band and theater affected their academic and social lives. The board also recognized winners from the district elementary chess championship and the district Scripps spelling bee; the spelling-bee champion, Luke Windmire (sixth grade), traveled to the regional competition and placed 11th.

Board members thanked performers and noted the district will continue to support arts programming. The superintendent and other officials said they would publicize community programs that aim to support student mental-health and mentorship and would continue work on teacher-pay and retention as part of budget and strategic-discussion work.