With no meaningful state law giving North Carolinians the right to see disciplinary records of those they employ in state and local government jobs, how will we ever know?
How will we know about the public school teacher who molested students in numerous mountain schools? About the superintendent of schools in the Piedmont who was fired and paid $250,000 to leave, without so much as a reason? Or about six city police officers who were suspended without pay, leaving the public with a vague explanation that the officers solicited prostitution?
We would know, if the Legislature enacts a law opening up personnel records. A bill filed in the North Carolina Senate this legislative session would result in the strongest improvement in decades in the people’s right to know in our state.
With no meaningful state law giving North Carolinians the right to see disciplinary records of those they employ in state and local government jobs, how will we ever know?
How will we know about the public school teacher who molested students in numerous mountain schools? About the superintendent of schools in the Piedmont who was fired and paid $250,000 to leave, without so much as a reason? Or about six city police officers who were suspended without pay, leaving the public with a vague explanation that the then officers solicited prostitution?
We would know, if the legislature enacts a law opening up personnel records. A bill filed in the North Carolina Senate this legislative session would result in the strongest improvement in decades in the people’s right to know in our state.
May 19, 2021
It’s not unusual to see recreational vehicles at Veterans Memorial Park in Mount Airy, with its spacious camping areas, but one RV recently arriving at the West Lebanon Street facility stood out from others.
This particular conveyance boasted an eye-catching paint scheme and messaging that left no doubt about the purpose of its travels: to pay tribute to the state’s educators.
That was accomplished with a colorful decoration containing an apple in the shape of a heart to form the statement, “We love public schools,” in which the heart symbol was used in the place of the word “love.”
by Nyamekye Daniel, The Center Square | May 10, 2021 07:00 PM Print this article
A bill that would change how teachers get paid for time off is on its way to the North Carolina Senate.
House Bill 362 would allow teachers to receive their full salary on any day they take personal leave if they provide a reason for the leave request. Current law only guarantees teachers a full salary when they take personal time off on a workday when students do not attend school.
Rep. Jeffrey Elmore, R-Alexander, who introduced the bill, said it would increase state support of teachers.
“This bill creates an avenue for teachers to be able to utilize their personal leave benefit without being docked $50 a day from their pay,” Elmore said.