Brunswick County school officials address concerns

With parents and community members questioning the Brunswick County School Board, two officials sat down to discuss county policies.

The superintendent and assistant superintendent spoke today to find out what the district needs to do to keep kids safe and address parent concerns.

Parents say many Brunswick County teachers go above and beyond expectations, but they do not feel the administration does enough to correct those who act inappropriately. Assistant superintendent Terry Chestnutt said schools try to avoid incidents in the hiring process, but mistakes are unavoidable.

Superintendent Katie McGee said a concerned parent should first contact the school’s principal. If the problem is with the administration they should contact the Board of Education directly.

McGee said there is record of every complaint filed and all valid complaints are investigated.

”The principal immediately makes a contact with the department of human resources and the assistant superintendent or his executive will immediately begin to be involved also in that investigation.” stated McGee.

If a staff member is found guilty of serious mistakes, there are serious consequences.

Those mistakes that are intense are going to see the consequences and that is will most likely result in dismissal.

Chestnutt said the school board must look to regulations before making a decision. “A determination has to be made in accordance to a general statute first and always, without exception. And then objectively we will formulate a decision based on that.”

Superintendent McGee said the school board is hesitant to suspend a staff member during an investigation because people assume the staff member is guilty of something. However, they will suspend staff to protect the school, the students, and the individual if it is necessary.