The Closing of S. W. Snowden Elementary School Appears to be a Done Deal – Unless the School Board Grows a Spine | Eastern NC Now
Only the School Board can save the school!
The Closing of S. W. Snowden Elementary School Appears to be a Done Deal – Unless the School Board Grows a Spine
By: Ray Leary
After watching the Beaufort County, NC commissioners meeting today, it is obvious the majority leadership of Beaufort County is dead set on closing the elementary public school in Aurora, NC. By a vote of 4-3 they denied a provision of $300,000 to the school board to keep Snowden open. They denied a motion to postpone the approval of the 2025-2026 county budget for one week to allow the school board to consider this option.
They do not care if Aurora survives or ceases to exist as a thriving community. They do not care if young families choose southeastern Beaufort County as a place to live and raise their children. They do not care that the largest taxpayer in Beaufort County is located in Aurora, NC. They do not care that the town of Aurora and Richlands Township has embarked on a revitalization effort, bringing an industrial park, medical facilities, downtown revitalization, and grocery stores to Aurora, NC. Mayor Cliff Williams appealed to the board to keep the school open. This appeal fell on deaf ears.
The leftist cabal of Waters, Langley, Booth, and Walker refused to allocate $300,000 to the Beaufort County school board to keep the S. W. Snowden school operational for at least one more year. Two of these commissioners have spouses on the school board. They also want the Snowden school closed.
The purported savings from closing this school presented to the county commissioners and school board is the most fictitious document ever presented to a governing board. Those that buy into this deception should be removed from the office. Unfortunately, there is no opportunity for recall of these elected commissioners and school board members.
This is sad. The elected school board is the only entity that can now keep this school open. The school board can also ensure that this school can be successful by overriding the administration’s assignment/reassignment of good teachers to this school. The school board can also reassure the parents in Aurora and Richlands Township that S. W. Snowden elementary school will never be closed, regardless of the wishes of those that control the funding. The BC school board will decide this on June 3, 2025, at a regularly scheduled working session board meeting where no public comments are allowed.
Superintendent Dr. Cheeseman scheduled two public hearings on the closure of Snowden. No one spoke in favor of the closure at either session. The school board should listen to the citizens and voters.
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The distinction most people are upset about has nothing to do with "exploring the possibility of closing Snowden." The problem comes with entwining that exploratory process with a formal school closing procedure. The public would stand for a study or hearings. The public would not stand a "study" or mandatory hearings to be checked off as part of a school closing process. That's what I'm hearing from lots of people, and I think they are right.
Thanks Stan - For not being a weasel. |
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Terry Williams: I don't care about your private discussions.
My point was, and is that nothing matters in governing unless the People's Business is discussed "in the room where it matters;" the public's open meeting room. That is where I draw all contrasts; that is where the public is put on notice, and that is where the politicians, moreover, are put on notice as well. |
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Stan - I agree with doing the public's business in public. When I speak of who I speak with privately I do not insinuate those persons are board members. I'm speaking of residents and private citizens who contact me per a phone call or face to face. Thank you for the conversation.
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Yes Sir Stan, I agree with you about keeping it all out in the public so we can see what is all about.
I will always keep my money on you Stan when it comes to doing what is right. |
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Terry Williams: For me, as an elected official for many decades, the essential governing is always conducted in the public's open session, in that big public room, paid for by the public, and recorded for posterity.
What is advocated for the public is best done there, where there can be open debate, where words matter, and that very special historical record can be made and preserved. In that big open room, where no doors are locked and all of the public is welcome, is where good government takes place. That is where my best words are spoken as all of this is the People's Business. Terry, I think it would be wise if you could join me there, in that public space. |
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Stan Deatherage, I'm not going to engage in a public debate with you on my actions. You have an opinion and I can respect that opinion. Who I spoke to privately concerning the situation is not the issue. I serve with many intelligent and thoughtful board members. Just as I approached Snowden, they are capable of doing their own research and making their own decision. In closing I do appreciate the fact that you are willing to sign your name to your responses just as I have.
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Yeah, Answer the question Terry Williams.
Commissioner Deatherage answers all questions, and is accountable to his people. Answer the damn question. |
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One of my first understandings about being an honest, and thus successful politician was "not being a weasel."