NC NAACP, Columbus County NAACP call for resignation of Whiteville City Schools chair
WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — The Columbus County NAACP and North Carolina Statewide NAACP is calling for Whiteville City Schools Board of Education Chair Kandle Rogers to resign after a district court found her guilty of assaulting a government employee in late August.
On Aug. 31, Rogers attempted to enter an area blocked off by city employees due to flooding from Tropical Storm Idalia.
A criminal summons report states that Rogers confronted the city worker who was placing cones in the roadway, and allegedly grabbed his left arm, causing scratches. An incident report claims Rogers used a racial slur against the worker.
“These actions are not becoming of an official elected to represent our children, and it’s unacceptable for Ms. Rogers to continue to serve in this position,” said Curtis Hill, President of the Columbus County NAACP. “An elected official of that stature is not only making decisions about the kids but also who to hire, and we’re concerned given the nature of the crime, race plays a factor in her decisions.”
Rogers was ultimately given a 60-day suspended sentence, instructed to perform 20 hours community service, and ordered to pay court costs, though her defense attorney has filed an appeal.
Rogers has served as the chair of Whiteville City Schools Board of Education since 2020, when she was voted 3-2 by the Board to replace Coleman Barbour. She previously served in the position before Barbour replaced her in December 2016.
