Weldon City Schools Board of Education Chair Pattie Cotton responded to comments made by Halifax County Commissioner Rives Manning on locating the probation and parole office in the former department of social services building near Weldon Middle School.

In the letter Cotton says, “I differ with his assessments of the probation and parole offices being housed in the old services building. Said building being 488 feet building to building from the Weldon Middle School.”

Cotton says her position is “facts will yield themselves to the intent of being ‘political’ or a board being accountable for creating and maintaining a safe and orderly environment as stated in the Weldon City School’s mission statement.”

As chair, Cotton said, “I consider it a moral and ethical obligation to fulfill such promise. The oversight of informing the school board and lack of communication from January to date has brought us to this juncture, not political interest.

“No, Commissioner Manning, I nor the Weldon City Board of Education had or has a clue of the issues considered. We are aware, however, that the welfare of our students (was) not discussed with us. The May meeting was in direct response to my request for someone to address the school board.”

Cotton said the school board prides itself on being a proactive body. “This means we are a fact discovery and information seeking body. In doing so we ensure our stockholders, parents and students that an informed (non-biased) and unprejudiced opinion is adhered to, not a reactive one.”

Cotton said she is amazed “with the comparison between the current office location in the Forest Hills Shopping Center just behind the Employment Security Commission, a fully fenced in city school environment and that of a rural school environment.

“I am very disappointed that no one thought it feasible to contact anyone in the Weldon City Schools District, the same as the state representatives and lease holders were. Now we find ourselves receiving information not shared within a six months span of time.

“Given such opportunity for dialouge might have prevented the process from coming to a screeching halt. Maybe (tonight’s) meeting will address our concerns. To date, we have not received such correspondence.”