New Hanover County Schools committee approves policy updates, clarifies whistleblower language

A New Hanover County Schools policy committee on an internal meeting reviewed several North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) recommended edits to district policies and approved clarifying language to policy 4318 to make explicit that the policy is not intended to restrict good-faith reporting of misconduct.

The committee voted, by voice, 3–0 to table agenda item 7720 until next month, accept the changes to policy 4318 and send several NCSBA-recommended edits (including electronically stored information retention policy 5071-7351 and policy 7130 on licensure/permits) to the full board for amendment at the next regular meeting.

The changes to 4318 were prompted in part by statutory changes and NCSBA guidance tied to 115C-76.100, a law that addresses student recording during instructional time. Committee members said the added sentence in the preamble was intended to prevent misreading the policy as limiting students’ or others’ ability to report wrongdoing. "This policy is not intended to prohibit, limit or restrict good faith reporting of misconduct or any other legally protected reporting activities," said Dr. Merrick, who urged the clarification during the discussion.

The committee heard from the board attorney, Mr. Blanchard, who summarized concerns raised at the prior regular meeting: that the recommended language could be misconstrued as restricting recordings or reports of bullying or misconduct. Committee members and staff agreed the preamble language should explicitly exclude such legally protected reporting.

On procedural matters, a motion to table item 7720 was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote. Later, Mr. Bradford moved that the committee accept both sets of changes to policy 4318; that motion was seconded and approved 3–0. The committee also voted to adopt editorial changes to policy 5071-7351 (electronically stored information retention) and clarifying edits to policy 7130; both motions passed by voice vote, 3–0.

A committee member asked that future updates include side-by-side comparisons of old and new language to clarify exactly what was changed; the member said that format would also aid accessibility for those with hearing impairment. Staff present — including the superintendent and district staff member Jen — said they had reviewed the changes and saw no district-specific conflicts.

Votes at a glance

• Item 7720 — Motion to table until next month: Passed (voice), 3–0. • Policy 4318 — Motion to accept changes including preamble clarifying it does not restrict good-faith reporting: Passed (voice), 3–0. • Policy 5071-7351 (electronically stored information retention) — Motion to adopt editorial/legal-reference changes and send to board: Passed (voice), 3–0. • Policy 7130 — Motion to accept clarifying changes on licensure/permits and send to board: Passed (voice), 3–0.

The committee listed the policies to be placed on the next regular meeting agenda for amendment (5071-7351 and 7130 as changed; 4318 among other items) and noted policies remaining in committee, including 2120 and 7720. The committee adjourned after about an hour and 20 minutes.

The full board will consider the committee’s recommended amendments at its next regular meeting; no dates or names of individual roll-call votes were recorded in the committee transcript.