Letter from Robeson to SBE

1. Public Schools of Robeson County
Post Office Drawer 2909
Lumberton, North Carolina 28359
(910) 671-6000
Fax (910) 671-6024
Office of the Superintendent
July 11, 2019
Mr. Eric Davis, Chairman
North Carolina State Board of Education
301 North Wilmington Street, Room 212
6302 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-6302
Dear Chairman Davis,
I write to you today because of the state of the Public Schools of Robeson County. Again, the school
board has become an obstacle to further improvement. Sabotage of the district image and financial
mismanagement, along with micromanagement by board members is at an all time high. Board
members who lack the knowledge of effective school district operations and transformation are making
critical decisions.
The Public Schools of Robeson County is facing an extreme financial crisis. The Public Schools of
Robeson County Board is making decisions that are unaffordable and undermine the many quality
teachers, principals and central office employees who are trying to make a difference for students. The
board of education is unable and unwilling to make sound financial decisions in order to sustain a
financially viable school district. The district simply cannot sustain itself at the current level of spending
and the board refuses to develop and/or adhere to any prioritized list of needs and politics continually
influence decisions made by board members.
Underlying issues centered on power and control continue to manifest and the ego-driven conflict at the
top has now stopped any and all progress. Tuesday night’s board meeting provides just one example of
how the split and fractured board continues to hurt our children in Robeson County. Consistently
undermining the senior leadership team erodes public confidence in the district and makes long-range
planning impossible. It is difficult to accomplish our board-approved strategic goals at this crucial time.
It is evident that local governance and systems, needed to move the system forward, are not in place
within the Public Schools of Robeson County. The constant interference from board members creates
an unstable environment and morale is worsening at an alarming rate. Over the past few months, the
State Board of Education and North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has provided increased
support to my colleagues and me.
May 14, 2019
Email “Public Schools of Robeson County Request for Assistance” to SBE, NCDPI, General Counsel
and State Superintendent
May 14, 2019
PSRC Board Meeting-Board Informally Agrees to Receive Technical Assistance and Support from
State Board of Education and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Erica Setzer provided a Finance Committee update to the full PSRC Board of Education and explained
to the board, among other things, that:

2. 1. since March 2018, the PSRC Board and district leadership have been aware that the school
system faces a significant budget shortfall in the upcoming school year in excess of $2M;
2. declining average daily membership (ADM) since 2015 and projected ADM declines in the
upcoming school year have reduced certain allotments provided to PSRC;;
3. the district’s current and projected staffing levels account for a significant percentage of PSRC’s
financial obligations and place the district’s budget at risk; and
4. proceeds from insurance funds are presently being used to cover operating expenses.
May 15, 2019
Email “Attached Letters from PSRC Board Members (Wednesday, May 15, 2019)” State Board Chair
and General Counsel (Six Board Members)
May 17, 2019
Email “Correspondence from the North Carolina State Board of Education” to PSRC Superintendent
and Board Chairman Mike Smith
• North Carolina State Board of Education concerns and directives included in correspondence
• Official warning to the PSRC Board of Education from the State Board of Education, pursuant to
North Carolina General Statute § 115C-451
• Notification of received correspondence from Dr. Wooten and six board members
requesting that the State Board of Education and the Department of Public Instruction provide
the district with technical assistance
June 4, 2019
State Board of Education/The Public Schools of Robeson County Board of Education Collaborative
Meeting concerning the Exceptional Children Program.
June 11, 2019
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction met with Public Schools of Robeson County
Superintendent and Leadership Team regarding Exceptional Children Program (Dr. Maria Pitre-
Martin/Sherry Thomas/Eric Snider)
Board Meeting-Board Formally Agrees to Receive Technical Assistance and Support from State Board
of Education and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (Placed on Agenda)
June 12, 2019
State Board of Education and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction met with Cabinet to
discuss financial state of the Public Schools of Robeson County
June 18, 2019
The Public Schools of Robeson County Board of Education unanimously agreed to collaborate with
State Board of Education and leaders from the Department of Public Instruction
July 9, 2019
1. PSRC Board Meeting
2. The Public Schools of Robeson County Board of Education collaborated with State Board of
Education and leaders from the Department of Public Instruction
3. Buddy McLean, CPA from S. Preston S. Douglas and Associates, LLP presented the 2017-2018
Public Schools of Robeson County Audit
• “The situation is critical,” McLean said. “Losing 2,000 students is a really, really difficult
situation for any organization.”
• The schools have been running a deficit since May and paying bills from insurance funds
received after Hurricane Matthew.

3. • “As of June 30, 2019, you have a fund balance of $1.4 million, less than one month of
operating costs,” McLean said. “This is a terrible situation to be in.”
• “You’re at a desperate point,” McLean said. “If you don’t make reductions today, you will
be in a desperate situation.”
• The loss of 2,000 students is equivalent to 100 classrooms, 10 teachers, five teacher
assistants, four principals, 2.5 assistant principals and 20 support staff, McLean said.
• “I’m sorry it has to be this way,” McLean said. “If you can make these changes quickly,
your general fund will grow again.”
After work with the State Board of Education and a presentation of the 2017-2018 audit findings and
recommendations, the Board members approved a consolidation plan that was presented for the first
time that evening. This plan deviated from the recommended costs-savings plan that included school
closures, consolidations and grade reconfigurations. The approved plan has increased costs
associated with it; was not based on data; and is not in the best interests of our children.
I am asking for direct intervention and/or immediate takeover from the State Board of Education. We
are requesting that the State Board of Education take a direct role in the district’s operations and
management. If this occurs, the district and community can be assured that the board and I are fulfilling
our statutorily defined roles and working together for the benefit of all students.
The district is in dire need. Our untrusting, wounded and divided community is suffering.
Respectfully submitted,
Shanita W. Wooten, Ed.D.
Superintendent
cc: Attorney Eric Snider, Agency General Counsel (State Board of Education)