In a statement released this evening, the Weldon City Board of Education said it is aware of the recent action taken by the State Board of Education during its Thursday meeting.

“The state board has provided notice of its action, along with copies of the documents that were considered and approved by the state board during its meeting.”

The statement said, “The Weldon City Board of Education takes the information contained in those documents seriously and is carefully reviewing them with counsel. The board will not comment further on them at this time.”

The board said, “The Weldon City Board of Education would like to be clear that it has always been and remains focused on its mission to create and maintain a highly effective educational system in which every student receives the highest quality education possible. To our families and community —  please know that your children are our highest priority.  

“To our staff who work tirelessly day in and day out to provide the best education and experience possible to our students —  please know that the Weldon City Board of Education values each and every one of you. “ 

The statement concludes, saying, “The Weldon City Board of Education recognizes that there is work to be done, and is committed to working with its staff, families, community, and the State Board of Education and Department of Public Instruction to continue to improve education for students in the Weldon City Schools and to achieve its vision of serving as a model district for the state.”

On Thursday the North Carolina State Board of Education gave the Weldon City Schools Board of Education 45 days to respond to a report that could ultimately end in the suspension of their duties if changes are not made.

It was one of two actions approved by the state board, the other being a recommendation to withhold from Weldon’s central office administration allotment $13,510 per month to fund the state appointment of Rodney Shotwell as the system’s interim superintendent.