Hoke County school board approves personnel report and votes to continue advertising with The News Journal amid conflict-of-interest debate

The Hoke County Board of Education approved a personnel report and voted to continue doing business with The News Journal for district advertising, then tabled further action after an opposition motion and questions about a potential conflict of interest.

Board Chair Blue called for approval of the personnel report at the start of the meeting; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote, with members responding "aye," the board recorded. The personnel matter received little discussion before the vote.

The meeting later turned to the district'wide relationship with The News Journal, a publisher with an owner who serves on the school board. Board member Ruben opened discussion by urging the board to "continue doing business with the news journal" limited to advertising. Board member Jessica Brown was identified during the discussion as having a conflict that could require her to abstain from votes related to the paper.

The board'appointed attorney, Attorney Grama, advised that state law contains an exception for counties that do not contain a municipality with more than 20,000 residents and where the business with the vendor does not exceed $60,000 in any 12'month period. Attorney Grama also said the board'adopted policy follows that state law. Attorney Grama explained the voting sequence if a board member with a conflict abstains and a tie occurs: the initial vote would be taken among the remaining eligible members, and the abstaining member would cast a deciding vote only in the event of a tie as described by the board counsel.

After discussion, Board member Ruben moved "to approve the resolution to continue doing business with The News Journal for advertisement purposes only." The board took a voice vote on continuing district advertising with The News Journal; several members vocalized "aye," and the chair announced the motion passed and said the resolution would be read into the minutes.

Board member Sutherland then made a separate motion to cease doing business with The News Journal immediately, including ending advertising and subscriptions paid for by Hoke County Schools. Members discussed the competing motions and the district's options for advertising, including social media and other local papers.

Paul, identified in the meeting as representing The News Journal, told the board, "No matter what decision the people on this board make, the News Journal and myself will always put Cook County Students First," and said the district had done "less than $10,000 in business" with his paper in the prior year and that the paper would not charge for routine student coverage.

After the competing motions and remarks, the board did not reach a final, definitive change to district purchasing practices. The chair asked whether the board would like to table the matter; the board agreed to table further action and return to the issue at a future meeting. The resolution that was approved for advertising was to be entered into the minutes; other proposed restrictions or a complete cessation of business were deferred for a later session.

Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Spales delivered the superintendent's report after the discussion, noting upcoming events and staffing recognitions.

The board recorded no detailed roll-call tallies in the transcript for either the personnel vote or the advertising resolution; votes were taken by voice and announced by the chair.