I strongly disagree with the decision by the NC State Board of Education (SBE) to approve a policy that “requires nonprofit board members that hold the charter from the State Board of Education to have a primary residence in North Carolina.”
- If the children are thriving at the school, we should not care where their board resides.
- Internet technology allows folks who live in different places to communicate easily and inexpensively.
- Residence in North Carolina does not guarantee that a board member will be attentive to the activities of the school. Similarly, residence in another state does not mean that a board member will not maintain a close relationship with the school.
- A handful of charter schools are near border states, so it would not be unusual for those schools to employ faculty and staff from another state. Why should the board be any different?
It is good to know that I am not alone. SBE member Buddy Collins was a no vote.