School board reviews ethics policy after member’s insensitive comments

CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — The Cabarrus County School Board talked about inappropriate comments one of its members made last week during a meeting Monday night.

Channel 9 checked the agenda for Monday’s meeting and found it included a review of the board’s ethics policy for members.

Last week, board member Laura Blackwell used a derogatory word about people with disabilities during a break. Her comments were picked up on a hot mic during a lengthy and heated meeting about re-entry plans.

“I don’t give him the benefit of (expletive),” Blackwell said. “This is the most (expletive) thing I’ve ever seen.”

A rally was held Monday where people voiced their frustration.

“I was dumbfounded,” said Justin Parmenter, a parent and educator. “It’s something that every once in a while you hear from a child. Never from an adult.”

During Monday’s special meeting, the board had an advocate to educate members on the history and connation of the word Blackwell used.

The board also issued a resolution, which acknowledged what Blackwell said was wrong and committed themselves not to let it happen again.

“I’m not a teacher, but I am a proud mom of kids who are Cabarrus County School students and someone who wants to make a difference in our community,” Blackwell said Monday. “I’m saddened that a word that was taken so far out of context and insinuated and boldly accused me of calling children and especially those with disabilities, a derogatory name. Put simply, this is not true.”

The district called her comments unacceptable and inappropriate. More than 4,600 people have signed a petition for Blackwell to resign.

“I just think it’s a poor reflection on a county that has worked so hard for so long to work with programs that fight that language,” said one parent.

Blackwell also appeared to use inappropriate language when referring to a fellow board member. She later identified herself as the person who made those comments and apologized.

“I’m not going to make excuses for the words that I used, and I just want to say that I’m sorry for being frustrated and doing it with my mic on,” she said.

“It was unethical and unprofessional,” Tonya Ramseur said. “For me, having kids in Cabarrus County Schools, I value the school board’s opinion. Last night when she made the comment, it was inappropriate. I just don’t feel that her vote or her opinion should have counted last night.”

During a candidate forum last week, some asked about the process of removing a board member. Because Blackwell is an elected member, officials said the board can’t remove her and she has not committed a crime.

The Cabarrus County School Board voted last Monday to send students back to school.

During a heated meeting, board members voted 4-3 to send K-3 students back to the classroom under Plan A on Oct. 19. Four days will be in-person instruction, and Friday will be for remote learning.

Grades 4-12 will go back on the same day under Plan B.

Plan B is a hybrid model.

Cabarrus County Schools released the following statement on Tuesday:

The comments made by a board member during a recess at the Sep. 21st Called Meeting of the Cabarrus County Board of Education were inappropriate and unacceptable. As a community of educators, Cabarrus County Schools works to ensure that our students understand that it is never acceptable to use disparaging or demeaning words. We place these same expectations of civility and decorum on the adults associated with our district and do not condone what transpired during the recess.

Additionally, Board of Education Policy 2120 outlines the Code of Ethics for the Board of Education. The Board is responsible for setting policies that ensure the smooth and efficient operations of the district, as well as policies that govern the conduct of employees and board members.

RETURN TO LEARNING: Rock Hill, Chester County students begin school year Tuesday

Cox Media Group