An out-of-town accountant with a now-suspended license. His accounting firm, which had ties to the consultants called in to clean up school districts after their audits were completed. Connections between former local and state school officials who work or have…
Breaking News: Foster election challenge thrown out by Board of Elections
The Wayne County Board of Elections has dismissed the protest of Bevan Foster’s primary victory in the Democratic race for the Wayne County Board of Commissioners District 3 seat. For more on this story, follow the New Old North here…
Audit shows 4-year path to negative fund balance; School Board members blame Dunsmore, Central Office
This was not the first year that some Wayne County Board of Education members have heard that there was a problem with money in the district’s general fund — or that there would have to be cuts made somewhere to…
BOE members say they are confident teachers will get their stipends. County says it hasn’t said ‘yes’ on bailout. And 11- and 12-month employees say they have been told they might not get paid this summer.
Members of the Wayne County Board of Education say they believe the county will be a part of helping the school district out of its money troubles, and its vice chairman says that one of the most immediate priorities is…
Proposed WCPS budget includes $350,000 for legal services
There are a few big ticket items in the draft 2020-21 budget proposal for Wayne County Public Schools that are drawing attention as the district waits for its new interim superintendent to officially take office and as questions swirl about…
School Board botches first response to budget bombshell
When you have a multi-million dollar deficit in your school district and all kinds of questions about how things were run, and you have been hiring expensive people to entrust with the district’s operation, two of whom you just pushed…
School Board actions prompt questions about transparency, timeline
A state expert said it looks like the Wayne County Board of Education violated North Carolina Open Meetings Law multiple times this week, on its way to accepting the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Michael Dunsmore, hiring Interim Superintendent Dr. James…
School Board approves $22,587/month salary for interim superintendent, hires firm to scrutinize WCPS operations, finances
The Wayne County Board of Education unanimously approved the hiring of Dr. James T. Merrill as interim superintendent for Wayne County Public Schools effective June 27. Merrill is the former Wake County superintendent and has a resume that includes experience…
Breaking News: Dunsmore out as superintendent
Dr. Michael Dunsmore is no longer Wayne County Public Schools’ superintendent. The news came nearly a week after WCPS officials and members of the Board of Education denied knowledge of the resignation of the district superintendent — and the day…
Warning: Attend graduation at your own risk
We haven’t really talked much about the Wayne County Board of Education’s decision to do in-person graduations for the Class of 2020. We confess. There has been a lot to write about lately — and while we had a commentary…