Wake County Board waives public comment for Feb. 3 meeting, approves consent items and moves to closed session

The Wake County Board of Education on Feb. 3 waived its public-comment policy for that virtual meeting, approved routine business and entered closed session to consult with the board attorney.

Chair Swanson asked the board to waive Board Policy 23-10 regarding public comment for the virtual meeting; the board approved the waiver by roll call, 8-0. The chair then moved to approve the evening's agenda and the consent agenda; both motions passed by roll-call votes, 8-0. The chair told viewers that public comment will resume at the next regular meeting on Feb. 17.

During information items, Superintendent Taylor thanked students, families and staff for flexibility during recent weather disruptions; he recognized 54 Wake County magnet schools that received National Magnet Schools honors, noting five Wake County schools were named among the 24 nationwide top schools of excellence. Taylor also invited the public to a Black History Month celebration on Feb. 26 at East Garner Magnet Middle School and announced a community engagement and listening session on Feb. 9 for the Ligon Magnet Middle School renovation project.

Board members used their reports to honor recent midyear graduates, to mourn the passing of a district teacher and to remind the public of upcoming board-advisory and community events. Trustee comments touched on transportation and career-technical staffing concerns and on a community rally for school funding scheduled for Feb. 7.

Near the close of the meeting, Vice Chair Hershey moved to go into closed session “to consider confidential personal information protected under GS 143-318.11” and to consult with the board attorney; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call, and the board moved into closed session.

The meeting proceeded to closed session; no additional public actions were taken on the record after that vote at the Feb. 3 session.