A New Old North records request has revealed that a consulting firm that employs — or has employed — former high-level local and state school officials with connections to Wayne County Public Schools has been working with WCPS since 2016….
Tempers flare as council members spar over budget, proposed audit, lobbyists
One Goldsboro City Council member didn’t vote to approve the budget because it did not include funding for a forensic audit of the city’s books. Another took exception to what he characterized as a tax hike disguised as a 17.5%…
As COVID-19 numbers, hospitalizations increase, state publishes school reopening options for governor to choose from
Social distancing markers on floors. No self-service for food or drinks in the cafeteria. Symptom screening — including temperature checks — for everyone who wants to enter a school building. Increased cleaning and disinfection of everything from facilities to school…
From July to March, WCPS spent $400,000-plus on legal services
In the first nine months of the 2019-20 fiscal year, Wayne County Public Schools spent more than $400,000 on legal services. The billing statements for July 2019 through March 2020 were released as a result of a Freedom of Information…
County offered WCPS $3 million loan in exchange for transparency. WCPS said ‘No.’
The Wayne County Board of Commissioners offered the county’s Board of Education a loan to help cover the district’s teacher stipends and June payroll shortfall. But in return, the county wanted an accounting of how the money would be spent,…
Merrill: Stipends coming, but ‘painful’ decisions will follow
Wayne County Public Schools teachers will get their supplements and June paychecks with help from state funds, not by asking the county commissioners to pick up the bill, the district’s acting, and soon-to-be-interim, Superintendent Dr. James Merrill said. But he…
EXCLUSIVE: New Old North investigation tracks connections, contracts in WCPS deficit cleanup
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…
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…
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…
Questions are fine, but don’t forget the value of fighting for SJAFB
When there are major questions about a local board charged with taking care of the public interest, there tend to be questions raised about others. So, it is not out of line for Goldsboro City Council members Brandi Matthews and…