Gwen Wilkins, a Nash County commissioner and county taxpayer, urged the Nash County Board of Education during public comment to reconsider a proposal for a one-time $500 bonus for classified school employees, saying the county commissioners had proposed that amount and asking the board to work with county leadership to deliver it.

Wilkins told the board she raised the $500 idea at a recent joint meeting of the county commissioners and the school board and asked Superintendent Dr. Ellis whether the board would give the bonus if the commissioners approved it. "According to statute, the Nash County Board of Commissioners cannot tell you what to do with the money we fund give you for funding," Wilkins said. "But what surprised me and disheartened me, that was each one of you sat there at that meeting did not open your mouths to support those classified workers — the cafeteria workers, the bus drivers, the mechanics, the teacher assistants, the custodians."

Wilkins contrasted the proposal for classified staff with supplements and bonuses provided to teachers, saying classified workers currently were slated to receive $250 and that part-time employees would receive prorated amounts. "By the time the taxes come out that $250 ... I'm thinking they won't have more than $200. The part time workers, they won't even get the $2.50 because it's going to be prorated," she said, urging the board to "look at the situation again, reconsider giving them more money even if it takes the superintendent coming to the Nash County Board of Commissioners to ask for it."

The board did not take action on the request during the meeting. Wilkins framed her remarks as both a commissioner and a taxpayer: "Each vote I take represents the citizens of Nash County." She closed by asking the board to "work with the county commissioners and our county manager to get something done for the classified workers."

The transcript includes a separate reference to a disruption statute (GS 143-318.17) governing public meetings, which the board cited when announcing public-comment rules; the transcript also records Wilkinss comment that "according to statute" commissioners cannot direct how the school system spends funds. The meeting record does not specify which statute Wilkins had in mind when she made that statement, nor does it include a board response or a motion related to Wilkins request during this meeting.