Two Issues Bring Heated Responses At Durham School Board Meeting

The first item on the agenda was a resolution to denounce the recent cross burnings that occurred in Durham. However, two members of the board -- Jackie Wagstaff and Regina George-Bowden -- were upset they were not informed of it ahead of time.

"My name is on here. No one asked me if I approved of it," Wagstaff said.

After Wagstaff and George-Bowden removed their names from the resolution, it passed. Another proposal discussed was a way to handle public comment. In prior meetings, members were concerned about public comments on issues that strayed away from the topics being discussed.

Members recently voted to restrict public comment by topic and time limits. At the first meeting with the new rules in place, three people were arrested.

A new proposal discussed Thursday, "Be Our Guest Program," would allow four parents from four different schools would have dinner with the board before meetings. Some still argued at Thursday's meeting that anyone should be allowed to speak at any meeting.

The board decided to send a proposed compromise on public comment back to committee for further discussion.