One by one community members approached the microphone Monday night to address the Edgecombe County Board of Education on the qualities the next superintendent of the district should possess.
Some carried lists while others recited their concerns by memory, but each person made it clear that as Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon leaves Friday, they don’t want all of his initiatives to exit the district with him.
During the 30-minute period the board allotted for the public forum, seven people came forward to give input about the search for a new leader.
Seeking a candidate that is familiar with the county was an issue that was mentioned several times.
“Consider someone who knows our school system,” said Bernice Pitt.
Glenda Knight said the idealistic candidate would be someone in Edgecombe County.
Having prior knowledge about the challenges of Edgecombe County Public Schools was highlighted by the Rev. Roosevelt Higgs.
“Anyone that comes in doesn’t need to learn that, but already know that,” he said.
If the applicant chosen isn’t familiar with Edgecombe County, finding someone that will make an effort to learn about the area was a top concern for Shonell Daniels.
“(We need) someone that will be accessible to the parents and the community … get to know the community in which they serve,” Daniels said.
Other common interests expressed at the forum include finding someone that can handle the finances and the 1:1 Laptop Initiative.
“I would like to congratulate the board and district on its fiscal responsibility and the laptop initiative. Consider a superintendent that will put that foremost on the list,” Pitt said.
John Wooten said the board should find someone that will concentrate on a balanced budget.
“They need to continue the laptop initiative without missing a beat,” said Curmilus Dancy II.
Dancy was among the individuals that addressed unique issues such as the race of the applicant.
“I hope it will be another black male because of the makeup of the school system at this time (57 percent black),” he said.
Yolanda Thigpen said that she wants someone that will enforce the same policies across the district, and focus on the achievement and dropout rates.
Knight said that a doctorate degree should be a requirement, as well as someone who is in touch with the trends of education.
Daniels said the new superintendent should invest time in making the evaluation process for children to the Exceptional Children department easier.
Higgs encouraged the board to get the candidates up for election involved in the process, implying that it will make it easier for those that are elected to partner with the school system.
Pitt asked the board to look for someone that will work with the business community.
After the forum concluded, Witherspoon was presented with a resolution that outlined the accomplishments of the district during his tenure and a watercolor painting of the Tar River Bridge by Dr. George Hemingway as a reminder of his time in Edgecombe County.
Witherspoon acknowledged some recent success in the district of decreases in short-term suspension and dropout rates.
“Through this board’s leadership, we’ve been able to do some great things. I will be forever and eternally grateful,” he said.
The advertisement for a new superintendent has been posted on the school system’s Web site, http:// www.ecps.us, and applicants have until April 16 to submit their application to the board’s attorney Jonathan Blumberg of the Tharrington Smith law firm in Raleigh. The next public forum will be on April 19.
Local News
Finances and technology main concerns about next superintendent hire
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Edgecombe Relay for Life seeking business partners
Fresh from raising $196,312 and ranking No. 4 nationally in per capita fundraising, Relay for Life Edgecombe County is seeking business and corporate sponsors to help in the fight against cancer.
Corporate and business sponsorship packets, which detail the levels and benefits of sponsorship, are ready to be delivered, according to Jane Gurley Harper, corporate sponsor chair. Businesses can also help by forming a team to participate in Relay and raise money in that manner. -
Princeville commissioner, interim town manager involved in physical conflict
PRINCEVILLE — The disconnect of water service at a commissioner's home led to a physical confrontation between the elected official and a town employee Wednesday at the town hall.
According to Commissioner Gwen Knight, interim Town Manager Maggie Boyd gave instructions to a public works employee and a police officer to cut off Knight's water because the account was delinquent in the amount of $662.77.
Knight said she went to the town hall to pay the bill as soon as she was told about her service being cut off. -
Princeville terminates town manager Appoints museum curator to fill same position
PRINCEVILLE — A contract dispute between the Princeville town manager and the town commissioners led to his termination at the close of business Monday.
Victor Marrow was notified by Princevile Attorney Charles Watts that he had been fired.
Marrow's contract expired Feb. 1, but the town extended it six days in hope of his signing a proposed new contract. Marrow was hired in February 2010 on a two-year contract. Nine months later, he resigned, only to rescind his resignation the following morning.
Stipulations of the proposed new contract were untenable to Marrow and included the stipulation that it was to end on June 12, included a $5,000 pay cut, work in excess of 40 hours per week and write at least three grants per month, he said. -
CRIME ROUNDUP
The Tarboro Police Department responded to a call Friday and was told a victim had been stabbed. While conducting an investigation, officers were told by the victim that Perry Lee Bunn, 58, 304 Granville St., had stabbed him several times. The name of the victim was not released by police.
Officers called EMS to respond to the scene to transport the victim to the hospital so he could treated for his injuries. -
Significant deficiencies in county audit
Auditors told Edgecombe County Commissioners on Monday night that they found significant deficiencies while compiling the 2010-2011 annual audit of county finances. Still, the audit received an unqualified opinion.
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Bryant declines to seek re-election
Teresa DeLoatch Bryant announced she will not seek re-election to the District 2 seat she now holds on the Edgecombe County Public Schools Board. The announcement came 91 days before the May 8 Primary Election and nearly a year after the first-term plus one year board member announced her resignation for personal and career reasons. She later rescinded her decision.
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W.A. Patillo receives $5,000 poetry grant
W.A. Pattillo School has been awarded $5,000 from the North Carolina Arts Council for Poetry in the Classroom with Mimi Herman.
The funds will be used to provide a week of poetry writing experiences for seven fourth grade classes through the expertise and creativity of Herman. Students will gain self-confidence, and will view themselves as writers rather than merely consumers of literature. They will learn to use language effectively and creatively to communicate thoughts, feeling, and impressions. -
Pizza Bowl
The biggest football game of the year brings the largest sale of the year for two area pizza restaurants.
Tarboro branches of Pizza Inn and Dominos Pizza are gearing up for Super Bowl XLVI Sunday by increasing their regular employee lineup by as many as seven.
Pizza Inn is running a special that they believe will keep them busy throughout the day. Last year they sold over 200 large pizzas on Super Bowl Sunday compared to 50 on an average Sunday. -
Edgecombe unemployment up in December
TARBORO — Unemployment rates increased in 93 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in December. Rates decreased in four counties and remained the same in three.
Edgecombe, which saw a slight improvement in November, fell back to its October 2011 level (15.7%). Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, Edgecombe and Dare are tied at third highest in unemployment. -
Three ECPS campuses ahead of First Lady's nutritional guidelines
When First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced new guidelines for the nutritional overhaul of school meals last week, they could have chosen three of Edgecombe County's public schools as their models.
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