Policy panel backs adding board representatives to Soil and Water Conservation role
Summary
The New Hanover County Schools policy committee voted to forward an amended Policy 2230 to the full board that would add two board members to the Soil and Water Conservation Committee as sustainability responsibilities are consolidated; the committee agreed to check with the outside Soil and Water body before finalizing representation.
The New Hanover County Schools policy committee voted to forward an amended Policy 2230 to the full board that would designate two board members to serve on the Soil and Water Conservation Committee as the district consolidates sustainability functions.
Committee Chair (name not stated) said the change adjusts subsection b.9 and "adds the 2 board members to serve on the soil and water conservation committee" to reflect a move from a single-member sustainability role to broader representation tied to a newly formed sub-sustainability committee.
Members debated whether the district should continue serving on the county Soil and Water body or instead reduce district representation. One committee member said that past attendance at Soil and Water meetings helped link district sustainability work with county resources and educational opportunities, while another argued that the district risked duplicating work already handled by its internal sustainability committee.
David Perry moved that the committee recommend the amended policy to the full board "with the stipulation that we will be checking with the folks on the Soil and Water Conservation in the meantime." The motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote recorded in the transcript as 3–0.
The committee left open whether future action will remove district participation entirely or retain one or two representatives; members asked staff to consult the Soil and Water Conservation Committee before the full-board vote. The matter will return to the full board for final consideration.
