Duplin school board members celebrated at January meeting

Since January is National School Board Appreciation Month, it’s fitting that Duplin County Schools rallied together to support the Duplin Board of Education at the monthly meeting on Thursday, Jan. 18.

As part of a special recognition portion of the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Austin Obasohan stated, “This is a special day, a special moment, that we celebrate our wonderful board members for the work they do in our community. So on behalf of all the Duplin County Schools family — employees, students, parents the whole community — we just want to thank you for all you do.”

Christy Johnson, DCS executive director of public relations/beginning teacher licensure support, spoke on behalf of the staff. “Even though January is set aside as School Board Appreciation Month, I want you to know that you are valued and you are appreciated each and every day,” she said. “It’s been shared before, but the combined service of this board is 74-plus years. That’s truly remarkable. I believe that we could search our region, our state and beyond, and we’re not going to find many boards, if any, that have that amount of service.”

President of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee Joanna Guo spoke for the students. “Time after time, you continue to make the best education and safety decisions for all students,” she said. “For the 13 schools and thousands of students, your work is of the utmost importance, and I’m sure it doesn’t come without its challenges. Despite those, you have selflessly committed yourselves to ensuring we have the best teachers and staff that help us work to our fullest potential.”

Finally, Dean Butts, representing parents, stated, “I’ve had a child in DCS for more than 20 years and I’ve been told more than once that I’m a thorn in somebody’s side. But you have always made me feel like I have a voice. You always made me feel that my concerns were important, and you’ve always ensured me that you would do your very best to address my concerns. You have never let me down.”

After the kind words, Guo presented each of the school board members with a special gift. When it was their turn to speak, the Board of Education members each humbly stated that it was because of the community and the leadership of Dr. Obasohan that they are such a smoothly run board. “We don’t always agree, but we work together for what’s best for the children,” Pam Edwards said.

Warsaw Elementary parents angry about incident after basketball game

During the public comment portion of the meeting, two parents spoke out about a recent incident after a Warsaw vs. Beulaville basketball game.

“There was a little incident [after the game on Wednesday night], where they said that Warsaw students had stolen a debit card, and we feel like the situation wasn’t handled properly,” said parent Zeama Smith. “At least make it where it’s fair for the children and make it safe for everybody. In that situation, they checked the Warsaw students, but not the other students. They let everybody else go.”

Another parent, Kiona Herring, added that only the Warsaw students were detained and were not allowed to contact their parents to let them know what was going on. “Our children were held, told to stay in the locker room, they could not leave,” Herring said. “The parents were not addressed; it was almost like we weren’t there. We were not spoken to. We have not gotten an apology.”

Though no board members commented and no action was taken at the meeting, Christy Johnson reported that Dr. Obosahan reached out to the two parents immediately. “In addition, the three principals, whose schools were involved, are working together to address the issue and prevent any future occurrences,” she added.

In other business at the Jan. 18 meeting, Justin Edwards appeared on behalf of North Carolina Farm Bureau to recognize Ag in the Classroom grant award winners.

“We had 126 applicants vying for 25 grants. In Duplin County, we had six that applied, and three were awarded,” Edwards said.

Those three were: TaNisha Jones and Tanya Novakowski of Rose HIll-Magnolia Elementary School, and Jenny Houston of Chinquapin Elementary.

The school board also unanimously approved a lengthy consent agenda that included bid approvals for restroom facelift projects at Duplin Early College High School, East Duplin High School, James Kenan High School, North Duplin High School, and Wallace-Rose Hill High School. The consent agenda also included approval of HVAC units for Chinquapin Elementary and East Duplin High.

The Duplin County Board of Education will hold its next monthly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 6 p.m. at the O.P. Johnson Education Building.