Public commenters urge preservation of historic West Street School; speakers raise technology procurement and open-meetings concerns

During the public input segment of the Craven County Schools meeting, several speakers urged the board to preserve local history, change technology procurement practices, and increase transparency.

Cleopatra Hargett, who identified herself as a product of the district and a former student at the historic West Street (JT Barber) School, presented a proposal and a petition signed by more than 600 people asking the board to acquire and preserve the West Street School property. Hargett described the site's historical significance as an early school for newly freed people in the state and said she provided written materials to the board. "Grant us our history. Together, we can build," she told the board.

Paul Hill spoke about district technology planning. Drawing on decades of experience in computing, he recommended the district first collect clear educational requirements and measurable goals, then select software that matches those goals before choosing hardware. "If we're going to continue to use computers in our curriculum, then we really need to take a hard look at exactly our goals and aspirations," Hill said.

Kelly Muse raised concerns from independent research about the executive search firm McPherson & Jacobson and asked the board to review documents she provided. Muse also asserted the board's use of "2-by-2" small-group meetings may violate open-meetings law; she left materials with the board and said she believed the practice runs afoul of public meeting requirements.

Board responses and public follow-up Board members acknowledged the comments. Patty Mason said the board should "entertain Miss Hargett's proposal because history is important" and noted community goodwill as a consideration even though the district may be required to sell property. Mason also agreed with Paul Hill that technical requirements and return on investment should guide future device decisions.

Multiple board members addressed the concerns about 2-by-2 meetings. Laura Kitzinger and others said they had read materials provided by commenters and described the small-group briefings as inhibiting public transparency when content discussed there is not later presented in public meetings. Some board members defended the practice as a way to gather information in advance of public discussion; others said the board must move more business into public meetings and increase direct reporting from staff.

Why it matters Hargett's petition asks the district to preserve a site with local historical claims that could affect community relations and any future property disposition. Technology procurement decisions drive instructional practice and budget priorities. Allegations about nonpublic small-group meetings touch on legal and transparency obligations of the elected board.

What happens next Hargett said she had emailed and provided paper copies of her proposal to board members; the board did not decide whether to pursue acquisition during the meeting. Board members asked staff to continue work on the items they control (for example, investigating procurement needs) and to surface historical-preservation proposals in public discussion. Muse's open-meetings concerns prompted public discussion among board members about how to structure future briefings and work sessions to maximize transparency.

Ending Board members said they will continue to accept materials from the public and requested staff follow-up where appropriate. No formal board decision on the West Street School property was made at the meeting.