We have been biting our tongues for months.
Honestly, we didn’t know how to responsibly start the discussion.
And we knew just how important it was to do this right.
We know you have been worried, too — because you have told us, repeatedly.
But recent incidents at several Wayne County Public Schools, some of which went viral on social media, have left all of us no choice.
We can no longer stay silent while our children slip away.
There is drug use at local high schools, sometimes in plain sight. Students and school personnel tell us hallways and bathrooms reek of marijuana, and there have been at least two overdoses that nearly claimed students’ lives.
There have been reports of a dramatic increase in bullying. Some of those victims have even confided in their teachers, parents and peers that they have contemplated suicide.
And there is brutal fighting — broadcast over Instagram on a page created by students on one local campus and on TikTok by students on another.
One of those videos showed a staff member getting knocked to the ground as she tried to maintain order — and students laughing as they recorded the event.
We know you are talking about that one around water coolers and dining room tables across the county.
But did you know that an elementary school student — yes, we said ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — made a “burn book” and in its pages, threatened to kill one of her classmates?
And there’s more.
Teachers, and bus drivers, are being verbally abused daily by students and parents.
School officials will tell you this is a result of the pandemic — that these children have simply been away from the structure of school for too long and no longer understand the proper way to act.
And they are right about one thing. The pandemic did a number on our children. We all know that.
But that is no excuse for the lawlessness we — and you — are seeing.
There are hundreds and hundreds of Wayne County students who are thriving since returning to campuses full time. They are suffering as their classmates disrupt learning and flaunt rules seemingly with no consequences as teachers try to keep order.
It is affecting their futures, too, and it is not fair.
We have to speak up for them — and to fight for them. But buildings, books and money are not the only demands we should make.
A recent New Old North report on the physical conditions of historic Goldsboro High School went viral, as local residents, GHS alumni, students and parents sounded off on what they characterized as the deplorable state of classrooms.
But what if we told you that a 69-year-old teacher inside that same building was assaulted last week as she attempted to break up a brutal clash between three teenage girls — that she was, according to the video and police report, “thrown to the ground” and trampled, shattering her smart watch?
You might also remember that those same students who brought the conditions at GHS to the Goldsboro City Council also mentioned something else — classmates who were out of control.
We should hear that call and act on it, too.
And we should also address the overwhelming stench of marijuana inside several local high schools and the “Eastern Wayne Shaderoom” Instagram account that posts videos of EWHS fights and screenshots of lewd text messages in an attempt to “out” classmates for a myriad of behaviors?
Are you one of the dozens of parents from Rosewood Elementary who has reached out to the New Old North to talk about the “burn book” incident — or the fact that the child accused of threatening to kill a classmate on campus only got a three-day suspension?
Or are you one of the parents who let us know that some students who have been suspended at several local schools showed up at extra-curricular events the same day?
Are you one of the 17 Wayne School of Engineering parents who told us that you were not notified that the “social media threat” you were called about long after your children were already on their way to school was, in your view, a “credible” threat of retaliation via gun after a GHS student was nearly shot to death the night before?
Perhaps you are one of the 63 people who has sent us the video, via Facebook Messenger, of that 69-year-old teacher being assaulted.
We think that you, like us, agree that just talking about it amongst ourselves is no longer an option.
We are losing these children. We are losing control of our schools.
The remedy is the hard part.
How do we restore order and get back to the business of preparing the next generation for the real world?
How do we send a message to these students — and their parents — that drugs, violence and threats have no place on Wayne County Public School campuses?
Do we demand, as members of the Board of Education begin their annual budget discussions, that more funds be allocated for mental health support in our schools?
Do we decide it’s time for metal detectors or additional law enforcement on campuses?
Do we tell our representatives to increase staffing at the district’s alternative school and adopt a zero-tolerance policy to send a message to our young people that enough is enough?
Do we quit blaming everything on COVID-19 and realize that the “villages” that are supposed to be helping us raise some of these children are failing to live up to that responsibility?
We have heard your thoughts over the last several months — via email, Messenger, during phone conversations and when you bump into us on the street.
You are genuinely worried about the future — and that a real tragedy on one of our campuses might happen before we close the book on the 2021-22 school year.
And you are right.
It is time to have this discussion out in the open now. And those who are charged with leading our schools should be where it starts.
Board member Jennifer Strickland warned Wayne County a few months into the pandemic.
We didn’t always agree with her, but when it came to the impending mental health crisis she foresaw, it seemed inevitable.
Well, now it’s here. It’s right here on our doorstep.
Drugs, violence, and the complete lack of respect for authority consuming many of our schools are converging. There is, according to parents, students and staff, seemingly zero severe consequences being handed down.
The wick has been lit and it’s inching ever closer to the powder keg.
It’s time to shine light on these stories — as uncomfortable as it might be — before it’s too late.
You hit the nail on the head
I think a huge part of the problem is lack of discipline. It starts at the school that claims to have a “no bullying” policy but when repeated incidents of bullying happen tell the parents of the victim that nothing can be done until it becomes physical. Then BOTH the victim and perpetrators get suspended. And the parents are too self absorbed to care or too scare to discipline their kids at home. Schools claim they have a no drug policy but do nothing to enforce it. In our school the police did random locker searches with drug dogs. Folks were ARRESTED if drugs were found. Students were expelled, teachers fired and parents held responsible. These days it’s considered “normal” for kids to “experiment” with drugs. I call that BULL SHIT!!!! Hard to enforce when the parents are doing drugs because around here this started long before the pandemic. Hard to enforce when police officers are told there’s no money in the budget to protect our kids.
And don’t get me started on the issue of punishing the victims. And TEACHERS bullying students. And teachers not being knowledgeable in the subjects they teach. Wayne County Schools is so far behind the eight ball on all of these issues. No wonder people are flocking to private and charter schools.
Each of these issues need to be addressed. Stop looking for excuses like the pandemic or lack of funding. We need to put our foot down and just say STOP! People will fix this not money. MORALS will fix this not this liberal culture of “if it feels goo it is good”!
Amen….to alll
It is immoral to punish human beings for suffering.
Drug use is a symptom, and is rarely the underlying problem. Criminalizing drug use creates… criminals, instead of deterring drug use. Because those who suffer will find the medication that works best, whether it’s over the counter or not.
What purpose have you given your children?
You tell them to be patient because Jesus is coming any minute; meanwhile we destroy our earth, pine for days gone by, and act like complete buffoons in front of our kids.
The problem ain’t them or the drugs: it’s us. And until we accept that, they will continue to reject our authority because there are no principles behind it.
Inspire your children to do what has yet to be done; do not try to convince them that the past was better.
This is their world, and we should be doing everything in our power to give our children a fighting chance to live full lives full of meaning and purpose.
Pray on what I say and tell me I’m wrong.
God bless you all, and do better.
Thank you for this – things are severely out of control. I just want to add this perspective: as a teacher with almost 30 years in a WCPS classroom, I have never seen it so bad. Bad students, defensive parents, poor leadership. I struggled to wait until today to reflect and make a decision about whether I will go back next Monday.
I. Want. To. Quit. Now.
I just heard today about another teacher who was literally beat up by a 7th grader. Teachers are at the breaking point and nobody gives a rat’s ass.
We are the ones dealing with all the bs from above, below, and all over. Enough is enough.
Well to start with, the Bible says all this is going to happen, and its happening. We can play the blame game and end up no where. Lets try it. Most everything rolls down hill. Lets start at the top of the Hill, our federal government. In 2009 our federal government started dictating what and how schools in our country would operate, that should had been stopped immediately. Then inflation hit, just like today’s inflation. Both parents have to hold down a job leaving the children to be raised by day care and schools, you know this to be true. Its rolling down hill. State governments seem to add to the decline with their foolish demands for schools and students. Both parents still holding down 2 jobs to provide for their family and again day care and schools are left raising our children.
How about we tell state and federal government to take a hike. Federal government has no business telling anyone how to raise their children and that goes along with state government. We, the people, should be raising our children, not the government. Let the schools set up a zero policy not the state. You don’t want guns and knives at school, have metal doctors at every entrance and exit. You don’t want drugs in school, bring the drug dogs to school everyday, until theres no more drugs and those in possession of said drugs and weapons expelled with community service. These problems we are having are coming from the top of the hill and rolling to our doorsteps. Bullying could stop if we allowed teachers to take back their classrooms. When I was in Jr high school in the 60s teachers rolled with a big paddle, if you did something wrong you would be called to the front of the class and introduced to that paddle, right in front of everyone. Respect isn’t always learned the easy way.
I can’t tell anyone how to vote, but most of whats happening is because many people vote for the devil, because of lies of promises made to them.
If you want to make a change, quit buying into the bs that comes from our federal government, they are not responsible for raising our children, We are.
Get involved with our schools or these problems are going to get worse. Dont expect teachers to raise your children, they are there to educate, and in some cases doing a poor job of educating our children.
Not what many in this area will want to hear, but this can be attributed not to just the pandemic, but to the environment created by Trump and those who follow him. He has almost single handedly created a rift in American decency and has promoted a disregard for our Constitution and the principles of democracy. Unfortunately, many of these students are only mirrowing what they hear from their parents and others who encourage hate and vitriolic responses to those who they do not agree with. We are living in a time when civility and tolerance are slowly being eroded.
Thank you for making these situations public. Hopefully, Parents will recognize their role in developing a productive member of society where children can embrace learning, cultural diversity and common courtesy to others.
The school system needs to reevaluate their role. “Special” schools have removed a group of students from each middle & High school. Not to mention the transportation costs.
Four middle schools in southern end. Only one in northern area which houses over 1,100 students!!
Constant delay and politics to reexamine attendance areas.
Teacher to student ratio. 1 to 30+++
Middle & High school core subject areas have 3 classes so it’s a 1 to 90+++ ratio for $35,000 to 50,000 salary!
You will be lucky to keep teachers!
They say it takes a village. So the community needs to step up and set standards for acceptable behavior in public.
Our county can be great. But it will take the adults to inspire our children. Children only know what they have learned. So…. Parents, schools and community members this is a wake-up call.