Nash-Rocky Mount School Board under fire for forcing to superintendent to resign
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- Demands for answers, accusations of racism, and political motivations topped a Monday night special school board meeting. In a 6-5 vote last week, the Nash-Rocky Mount Board of Education voted to accept Dr. Anthony Jackson's forced resignation as superintendent.
The six board members who voted to accept Dr. Jackson's resignation were Brenda Brown, Wayne Doll, Ricky Jenkins, Bill Sharpe, Reginald Silver and Wendy Wilson. Board members voting against the resignation were Franklin Lamm, Evelyn Bulluck, Ann Edge, Lashawnda Washington and Doneva Chavis-Battle.
Since then, rumors have swirled and dozens signed up to speak out at Monday night's meeting.
In anticipation of a large crowd, the board moved the meeting to Rocky Mount High School. As expected, the crowd poured in and it was standing room only.
The reasons behind the superintendent being pushed out are not being released. Board members say that information is protected under personnel laws. More than 30 people signed up to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting and board member Wendy Wilson started them off.
Wilson thanked the crowd for coming out to share their concerns but assured them that nothing would change the decision of the six majority votes on the board. She also took the time to straighten out any rumors that this was racially or politically motivated.
"We can say with 100 percent certainty in the strongest possible terms that this decision has nothing to do with race," said Wilson. "We can also state in the strongest possible terms that the decision had nothing to do with the current controversy over the effort to split our system in the county line. We have publicly adopted as a full board and voted unanimously to adopt a resolution opposing any such efforts to split our school system."
When she was finished, some in the crowd actually yelled "boo."
Board member, Ann Edge, sat to Wilson's right and disagreed.
"It is race-based politics. And a few don't want to take direction from a strong African American man," said Edge.
For about two hours board members heard from retired teachers, members of the clergy, a former board member, and concerned residents. They heard people voice reasons of why they do and don't support the superintendent's resignation.
Some told the board teachers aren't happy. Others said Jackson has done a great job since getting the job in 2011.
One of the complaints floating around against the superintendent was rumors he was looking for other jobs. Board Chair Evelyn Bullock responded to that by saying, "Dr. Jackson was told to find another job or be terminated without cause."
While the board could not give specific reasons as to what led to that 6-5 vote, Bullock would say this, "When questioned about exactly what has Dr. Jackson done to warrant such a dismissal there is no credible answer."
Bullock also pointed out that last fall the board voted to renew Dr. Jackson's contract. She said the payout amount for his contract is more than $212,000.
Dr. Jackson's resignation is effective this month.
