By Miles Layton

GATESVILLE — The Gates County Board of Education convened a Special Joint Meeting on Wednesday evening with the Board of Commissioners, swearing in two new board members, addressing longstanding questions about past decisions, and tightening the timeline for how far in advance board members must receive meeting materials.

Board of Education Chairman Leslie Byrum opened the session with a prayer led by Vice Chair Sallie Ryan, who asked for guidance for the board and community.

“If we have open hearts and open minds, You will help direct us in the correct paths,” Ryan said. “I ask You to bless all the parents and students that are here tonight.”

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Two New Members Sworn In

The evening’s most anticipated business was the seating of two new board members: Angel “Jojo” Legg, who won the Eure District seat in the March 2 election, and Danny Hale, appointed to fill the Gates seat vacated by Ronnie Riddick’s resignation.

Legg’s path to the board stretched back to January. Byrum explained that at a January 28 special-called session, the board had unanimously approved a motion to accept her eventual appointment, contingent on the outcome of the March 2 election and state certification. Legg herself had requested waiting for official state certification before taking her oath. That certification was completed on March 25 — the day of Wednesday’s meeting.

“She preferred to wait for state certification, which is today’s date,” Byrum said. “It’s very confusing, and I know that it seems like a task that doesn’t need to be stated. But according to transparency and the general statutes, all of this information has to be stated.”

Legg was sworn in by board secretary LaWanda Daughtry, taking her oath as a member of the Gates County Board of Education.

The board then turned to filling Riddick’s vacant seat. Byrum outlined three options available under board policy: open the seat to a new application and interview process, accept Riddick’s own recommendation, or appoint the runner-up from the district election. Byrum quoted the advice he said came directly from the board’s attorney: “The members should exercise that discretion in the way they think will best serve the district. Perception be damned.”

Board member Terri Riddick moved to appoint Danny Hale, who had submitted a letter of interest the previous evening outlining his qualifications. Byrum noted that Hale had been a paid assistant coach with the school system but had submitted his resignation and a letter indicating he would volunteer with the baseball program going forward.

“He has submitted his resignation to Mr. Hayes,” Byrum said. “He has also submitted a letter that Mr. Hayes is recommending him to volunteer with the baseball team.”

The motion carried, and Hale was sworn in moments later.

“I truly would like to welcome Mrs. Legg and Mr. Hale to this board,” Byrum said after both were seated. “We are going to unite as one. We are going to improve our relationship and gain better trust with the community.”

Chairman Addresses Quorum Questions and Closed Session

Before the swearing-in ceremonies, Byrum spent considerable time addressing what he described as an outpouring of public concern about two prior board actions — the vote to close Buckland Elementary School and a recent closed session held with only three sitting board members.

On the quorum question, Byrum cited Policy 2341 directly: “A quorum is defined as a majority of the members of the board, excluding vacant seats.” With two seats vacant at the time, the three-member vote to close the school met that threshold.

“When we made the decision to close Buckland School, it was three members, so that makes up a majority. Therefore, it was legitimate. It was legal,” Byrum said. “Maybe it doesn’t look in the best interest of it, but we as board members have been also inundated with our staff, and our staff really wanted to make a decision.”

Byrum also defended the closed session, reading aloud the statutory justifications for such meetings, including the attorney-client privilege provision and the clause allowing boards to consider matters related to “the qualification, competency, performance, character, fitness, conditions of a former or conditions of initial employment with the school system.”

“Therefore, it was a legitimate closed session meeting,” he said.

Board Tightens Materials Deadline

The board also voted to strengthen its policy on how far in advance meeting materials must be delivered to board members. Current policy, General Statute 115C-36 and Board Policy 2335, requires the superintendent to provide agendas, approved minutes, and supporting materials at least three days before each meeting.

Byrum said he did not believe three days was adequate. Riddick agreed and made a motion requiring all documents to be submitted a full week prior to any board meeting, regardless of the day it falls on.

“I make a motion that we require all documents that are coming for our board meetings to be in place at a minimum eight days — one week — prior to our board meetings, regardless if it’s on a Monday or Tuesday,” Riddick said.

Motion was approved — Byrum directed Superintendent Dr. Barry Williams to communicate the new expectation to all principals and directors.

Summer School Headed to Buckland

In a brief item of other business, the board approved using Buckland Elementary School as the site for summer school this year. With Buckland set to close and Gatesville schools facing significant transition, the move keeps the building in active use through the summer.

The board also received a tentative calendar of upcoming meetings and was told that the RIF decision process would begin at the central office, with results to be disclosed publicly after state testing concludes.

Byrum closed the meeting on an optimistic note.

“I feel like they will bring great things to this board as far as the improvement of the children’s education, and also looking after the staff members of Gates County Schools,” he said of the two new members. “Congratulations to both of you.”