The request came during Monday's town board meeting when school board Chair Pattie Cotton addressed the panel.
Cotton went over information contained in a joint statement issued last week and challenges apparent comments made by Mayor Julia Meacham that she supports merger. The town board took no action on the matter.
“What are we requesting?” Cotton asked. “A clear answer to the following: Does the mayor's public support of the (University of North Carolina Center for Civil Rights) report represent this full board or a personal one? If not the full board, we request a resolution that reflects the full board's support of our school district. Such action will place this board in step with all other municipalities in the county.”
Conversely, Cotton said, “If you have made a decision without consideration of our report, we respectfully ask that you revisit your action after reviewing information given tonight. For all reasons stated, I urge this council to oppose this ill-conceived plan and support your school district in its ongoing efforts to boost student achievement.”
Because there was a large number of people wanting to speak on the matter, Meacham moved the public comments section of the meeting up the agenda to after Cotton's comments.
Gene Gatling said he supported the merger of the school system and that the reason Weldon was against it was not for the students, but to save jobs.
Pat Farrow, who works in the school system, said, however, merger will hurt the efforts the school system is making. “Weldon City Schools can stand on their own.”
Terrence Wyche, an assistant superintendent in the school system, said, “Consolidation doesn't improve student achievement. What causes it is effective schools.”
One woman said her daughter attended Halifax County schools but when she joined Weldon's Roanoke Valley Early College her daughter's grades came to Bs. “I think Weldon City Schools is the place to be and it can stand alone.”
In other matters the board:
Heard from Kimberly Bracy who asked that the town form partnerships with the county, the private sector, Red Cross, Salvation Army and other organizations before another storm like Hurricane Irene hits the area.
Watched as police Chief Mark Macon honored officers Christopher Coley for completing his dog training with his partner Rio; cited Officer Jessica Sampson as officer of the quarter; and Sergeant Chris Buffaloe for his work in training Rio. He also honored Cyrus Young for his help in the training Rio.
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