Public commenters press board for clearer communications and a review of mandatory bus-driving policy

Several residents urged the Edgecombe County Board of Education on July 13 to make agenda materials and communications more accessible and to review an administrative policy on mandatory bus driving for certain staff.

Angela Brandt, co‑convener of the Edgecomb United Coalition, thanked the district for making agenda materials available and asked that the community email signup link be moved to the board page so residents can receive meeting notices. She also asked board members and staff to use plain language and microphones so online and in-person audiences can follow proceedings.

"We want to ask for continued transparency in the governance, operation, and processes," Brandt said, adding that committee meeting notices and clearer communications would help public participation.

Natalie O'Ree, a community advocate from Meadowbrook, urged the board to publish a public report on the district’s mandatory school bus‑driving policy. She said the policy requires teaching assistants, custodians and food‑service employees to be licensed and willing to drive a school bus (a CDL) and that failure to accept assignments "without a bad reason" can put jobs at risk. O'Ree asked for data on how many staff comply, how many received waivers or accommodations, and whether the policy is working as intended.

Resident Mr. Cole described a teacher assistant who repeatedly failed the bus test and fears she will not be rehired, underscoring community concern about the policy’s potential employment effects.

Board members acknowledged the concerns and said staff would follow up; the public comment period concluded without an immediate change to the policy.