Iredell-Statesville committee adds review of Jan. 12 meeting but fails to approve censure discussion
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Summary
The Iredell-Statesville Schools committee voted to add a review of the Jan. 12 board meeting (including the former chair’s resignation) to the agenda but declined, by tie vote, to add a separate discussion of censures for three board members. Several other agenda adjustments were approved.
The Iredell-Statesville Schools Committee of the Whole on Jan. 28 amended its agenda to add a review of the Jan. 12 board meeting, including consideration of the former chair’s resignation and up to five minutes of comment for each board member. The addition was moved by Cindy Haynes and seconded by Rhonda Hoke and was put on the agenda for open session at 5:00 p.m.
Why it matters: The review item responds to public interest and questions about the board’s response to events at the Jan. 12 meeting. Board members said the public had requested clarification about members’ reactions and the status of the former chair’s position.
Board member Brian Sloan proposed a separate agenda item to consider whether to pursue censure proceedings. Sloan said the vote would not happen that night but asked for a discussion item to be included so the board could “go through with the censure” process. The motion to add discussion of censure was amended by Cindy Haynes to include three named members — Mr. Angel, Mr. Kubenick and Ms. Kern — and Anita Kern successfully moved that the discussion of any individual censure be handled sequentially (one person at a time) to reduce confusion.
However, when the amended censure-discussion motion was put to a roll-call vote it resulted in a 3–3 tie and did not pass. Kelly McGarry conducted the roll call. The chair and legal counsel confirmed that a majority was required and that, without it, the board would not add the censure-discussion item as proposed.
Other agenda changes approved included relisting item 12 to show Adam Steele and Dr. James as presenters and moving a separate policy item (agenda item 3, discussion of building meeting agendas and policy 2330) to occur after personnel reports when the board returned to open session.
During the meeting, Vice Chair Doug Knight reiterated expectations for decorum and said the board’s primary duty is the educational welfare of students. “We need to be civil,” he said, noting that Robert’s Rules of Order would serve as a guideline. Haynes framed the motion to add the Jan. 12 review by saying the public seeks clarity about where the board stands and the status of the former chair’s position.
Next steps: The board added the Jan. 12 review to the start of open session at 5:00 p.m. and moved several agenda items for a later discussion; the censure item will not be considered unless a future motion prevails.