Public comments urge Pitt County Schools to prepare for immigration-related attendance impacts; educators press curriculum and calendar issues
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Summary
Speakers at the Dec. 1 meeting told the Pitt County Board that fear of immigration enforcement is already reducing Hispanic student attendance and urged the district to review policies; an educators’ representative also urged clearer curriculum guidance and called for a "common-sense" school calendar.
Several public speakers used the Pitt County Board of Education’s Dec. 1 public-expression period to raise concerns about student welfare and operational policy.
Rosa Red told a personal story and warned that fear of immigration enforcement is already affecting attendance among Hispanic students in the district, saying, "While no enforcement activity has been officially confirmed in Pitt County, the concern is already here." She cited the North Carolina Constitution and the U.S. Supreme Court decision Plyler v. Doe, and referenced January guidance from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction urging districts to review policies to support every student and family.
Mario Blanchard, president of the Pitt County Association of Educators, addressed curriculum and the school calendar. Blanchard said state standards are set by the Department of Public Instruction and urged a "common sense calendar" with more frequent breaks, arguing that lengthy stretches without breaks add stress for students and staff. He encouraged constituents to contact members of the General Assembly to pursue calendar flexibility.
The board did not respond during public expression beyond thanks; no formal action was recorded at the meeting to change district practices in response to these comments. Speakers asked the board to prepare proactively rather than reactively if enforcement activity arises.