Saturday's Internet Edition, May 17, 2008.
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It was a call that some believe broke a law, but Davie Board of Education Chair Dr. Regina Graham said that is not the case, as there is neither law nor policy governing the Connect-ED phone system.
“Because the system is still relatively new, there is nothing officially in our policies now, but the North Carolina School Board is supposed to be working on our policies now, and I’m sure this is a subject we will take a look at,” she said.
The Connect-ED system, purchased in early 2006, creates an automated phone call to parents, generally telling of events happening at their child’s school or letting them know of plans related to inclement weather.
Prior to the May 8 call, the group that supported the bond, Davie Cares, requested to use the system, according to Maureen Moore, public relations director.
In a May 22 email, Moore wrote, “Davie Cares wanted to send a message home to all parents/families to inform them of the upcoming election on the bond referendum and to ask for their support/vote on the bond. After the public information office received this request, it was reviewed by members of the board of education, and the decision was made to allow Davie Cares to use Connect-Ed to send this message.”
At least two board members knew nothing about the plan to send the message.
Rick Ellis said, “The decision on this Connect-Ed message was not considered or voted on by the entire board. I learned of this only when I received the message on my phone, as other parents did.”
Graham said after speaking with Ellis and Carl Lambert last week, she realized neither one of them knew about the message until they received it. She also said she had spoken with Linda Barnette, another board member, and she knew nothing about it.
Barnette said later, “Maureen and ... subscribe to the Davie County Enterprise Record, P.O. Box 99, Mocksville, N.C. 27028.