Educators urge Edgecombe County board for 'meet and confer' policy and payroll transparency

At the Jan. 12 meeting of the Edgecombe County Board of Education, Marcia Moyd Williams, president of the Edgecombe County Association of Educators, told the board her organization submitted a written request to district human resources and Superintendent Dr. Bridal more than 90 days ago and has not received a response. "We just want to know the why," she said, urging the board to support a meet-and-confer policy that would give employees a formal seat at bargaining and problem-solving.

Williams listed specific records the association says it needs for transparency: the current classified pay schedule; the district's written guidelines for extra duties; the number of vacancies in the transportation department; and a comparison of actual expenditures versus projected budgets. "This policy is something that will help us be able to have the transparency, work with the district in order to put out fires or celebrate wherever that is needed," Williams said.

Troy Cole, introduced as an EC teacher at W.A. Patillo, echoed the request for a voice in district decisions and added concerns about cafeteria pay, saying long‑serving cafeteria workers (some with up to 12 years in the county) are being paid the same as newly hired staff. "We just want a seat in the table and a voice," Cole said. He urged recognition and compensation that reflect seniority and experience.

Board members did not take formal action on either request during the public-comment period. The board's agenda proceeded to approval of minutes and information items. The presenters and public commenters sought further engagement with district staff and the board; no direct response or timeline for a reply was recorded in the public record during the meeting.