Bertie School Board Terminates Superintendent’s Contract

by Cal Bryant - January 23rd, 2007 - Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald

WINDSOR - In an emotionally-charged meeting here Tuesday night, one that took an ugly twist at the end, the Bertie County Board of Education voted to terminate the contract of Superintendent Dr. Nettie Collins-Hart.

The majority decision, which came at the end of a 66 minute closed session to discuss personnel, was a slim one as board chairman Ricky Freeman joined colleagues Melinda Eure and Alton Parker in terminating Dr. Collins-Hart.

Board members Gloria Lee and Michael Bracy voted in favor of retaining the superintendent.

One of the most interesting quotes in this article by Cal Bryant is Mike Bracy's comment, "What I have really learned is that until we get rid of political agendas this school system will not move forward."

"When asked what those agendas were and to whom are they attributed, Bracy made no comment" Cal wrote.

At least one concern I have is the implication that anyone who disagrees with Dr. Collins-Hart has a political agenda, but that her supporters don't. That is simply not credible.

I think the character of some of her supporters can be inferred by the fact that screaming and cursing was their solution to the vote not going their way. This was what her supporters did at the end of the meeting in addition to what Cal reports was clear intimidation of the Board members, intimidation that required the sheriff's deputies to intervene.

Read the article. It is very informative.