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Board rejects motion to apologize to Reverend Dante Murphy over interrupted public comment
Summary
Board considered and rejected a motion to apologize to Reverend Dante Murphy for interrupting him during a February 2024 call to audience. The motion failed on a roll call vote after several board members argued about whether the speaker’s time had been restored.
The New Hanover County Schools Board voted on a motion to issue a formal apology to Reverend Dante Murphy for interrupting his public comment during a prior meeting. The motion failed on a roll call vote.
Board member Dr. Merrick argued the board owed an apology because interrupting a speaker during call to audience was a breach of the board’s obligations; several colleagues agreed that apologizing would be appropriate. Other members recorded that Reverend Murphy had been afforded his full two minutes after an initial procedural question and argued an apology was unnecessary.
The clerk called the roll on the apology motion. The recorded roll call in the transcript shows multiple votes; the chair announced that the motion failed (roll call summary recorded as failing). The transcript recorded explicit yes/no votes for some members during the roll call sequence but the final tally was announced in the meeting (motion failed).
Why it matters: The exchange reflected broader tensions between board members and community speakers and prompted several members to say the district must rebuild trust with the public.
What happens next: No formal apology was approved. Board members discussed improving procedures for managing public comment and said they would seek to do better in future meetings.
