By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com
HAMLET — The president of the Richmond County local chapter of the NAACP chided county school district officials on Tuesday, lamenting how few black teachers there are in Richmond County schools.
Dr. Fred McQueen said that black students in the county system could go from kindergarten through 12th grade without ever seeing a teacher of the same skin color.
McQueen addressed Superintendent Dr. Cindy Goodman and all six elected members of the school board beginning at 5:45 p.m. — before the start of the regular monthly public meeting. There was no indication from the school district’s central office that the start of the meeting had been adjusted to accommodate McQueen.
For his part McQueen said he’d rather be on the agenda — but that he’s been unable to be listed there. McQueen said he first was told it was a policy put into place by former superintendent Dr. George Norris. But McQueen said he’s learned it’s a school board policy now and not at the discretion of the superintendent.
Lastly, McQueen lamented the loss of funding for a program for high-achieving students that previously took place at Cole Auditorium in Hamlet. The academic achievement ceremony recognized students who earned A-B Honor Roll status or better. To rent the auditorium, McQueen said, is $1,200. But with the superintendent’s signature on what then becomes a Board of Education-supported or -sponsored event, the facility rental fee is cut in half.
For two years, Richmond County Schools supported the program but that support left before the start of the third year of the program. McQueen said his organization couldn’t afford the full rental fee and the cost of putting on the program, so it was discontinued.
No one responded to McQueen’s comments. Wiley Mabe, board chairman, thanked him for speaking.