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Board declines to delay Lifewise discussion, sets public hearing and moves fuller debate to August
Summary
After heated debate and public concern, the New Hanover County Board of Education rejected a motion to delay consideration of a proposed Lifewise partnership, voted to hear a brief informational update next week, and scheduled a public hearing and a fuller board discussion in August.
The New Hanover County Board of Education on Tuesday rejected a motion to postpone consideration of a proposed Lifewise memorandum of understanding, then agreed to hear an informational update next week and to hold a public hearing before any final action.
The board defeated an initial motion to delay discussion of Lifewise until July (vote: defeated 6–1). Dr. Tim Merrick, who moved to strike the item from this month’s work, said he was concerned the item appeared on the published agenda at the last minute and that community members needed more time to weigh in; he told colleagues there were “over 1,000 signatures” expressing concern. The chair restated that the published agenda had been posted only this morning but that the district had discussed the item internally the prior week.
A subsequent effort to treat the Lifewise item as information only — which would have limited the board to receiving staff background and not taking immediate action — was also defeated (vote: 4–3). The chair called for a roll call on competing procedural motions several times as board members pressed opposite procedural paths.
After procedural votes, the board voted to have the superintendent provide a brief, five‑minute informational presentation next week and then to postpone formal deliberation until its August meeting. The board also voted unanimously (7–0) to host a public hearing (described as a town‑hall‑style public hearing focused on Lifewise/character‑education programs) so community members could give public testimony before the board takes any formal step.
Board members who favored delay said the public needed more time to prepare and consult with counsel; those opposed said the item had been in the flow of previous committee discussions and that the public had already been engaged informally. “If it is a work in progress, it is public information,” one member said; another warned that placing an item under old business can permit a subsequent motion to create an MOU if a majority chooses to do so.
What’s next: Superintendent will present an informational summary next week; the board will hold a public hearing (late July/early August) and will resume formal deliberations in August.
