For those that do not know it, according to the latest available statistics North Carolina ranks 19th in the nation for bullying. Unfortunately, bullying statistics ARE NOT available for Cleveland County schools because in Cleveland County schools bullying is not reported as bullying. Bullying in Cleveland County schools is reported as whatever the principal wants to report it as. At one time, there was a bullying task force. Although the bullying task force was working, for reasons known only to Dr. Steven Fisher, the current CCS superintendent, Dr. Fisher abolished the task force. The only reason I can think of for abolishing the bullying task force is because Dr. Fisher, et al, want to hide the rampant bullying problem in Cleveland County Schools. Although there is an urgent need, so far, the current BOE members have refused to reinstate the bullying task force. The current BOE members in favor of reinstating the bullying task force and have spoken out in favor of reinstating the bullying task force are Danny Blanton, Ronnie Grigg and Aaron Bridges. Unfortunately, the calls to reinstate the bullying task force by those three board members are falling on deaf ears and because those three board members are in the minority, they are shouted down. The remaining board members, Robert Queen, Joel Shores, Greg Taylor, Rodney Fitch, Ron Humphries, and Walter Spurling are apparently in favor of continuing to hide the bullying problem or else they would move forward to reinstate it. By the way, Rodney Fitch, current Cleveland County Deputy Sheriff who had to be told to stop wearing his gun to the school board meetings because it is a VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW, is the CHAIRPERSON of the Safety Committee. Rodney Fitch has not allowed the subject of the bullying task force to be discussed let alone voted on in any of the safety committee meetings PABNC members have attended. WHY NOT MR. FITCH, WHY NOT?
A friend of mine came up with an interesting point. Let’s keep in mind the key words in the public records request; “bullies,” “bullying,” “fights,” or “violence” This is an election year. Robert Queen, Joel Shores, Greg Taylor, Ron Humphries, and Rodney Fitch are ALL up for re-election. Rember, these are the members that are stonewalling reestablishing the bullying task force. CCS is denying there is a bullying problem and with the three aforementioned exceptions, the BOE members are falling in line lock step and are complicit in the bullying coverup. Dr. Shull did not quantify the number of duplicate emails as the word “many” is subjective. So, we will have to wait for the redaction process to end to learn the exact number of unique emails. The duplicated emails notwithstanding, any substantial number of emails containing those key words is alarming. The probable fabricated March 1 target date Dr. Shull provided is AFTER the primary. My friend believes it is possible, probable even, that the delay in releasing the emails is by design, that it is an intentional delaying tactic, because the powers that be know there is a bullying problem and if the lie that there is no bullying problem is exposed before the primary, it will cost the stonewalling incumbents the election. The powers that be want the status quo that is provided by the stonewallers.
I think my friend is on to something. I too believe it is probable that the string puller, the tail wagging the dog, CCS superintendent Dr. Steven Fisher does not want the bullying problem in Cleveland County schools to be exposed AT ALL but particularly before the primary because the puppet strings to chairperson Queen that the tail wagging the dog superintendent has now would most likely be cut. Oh my, that could also mean when contract renewal time for the puppet master comes around he would be gone too. Another oh my, the two attorneys imported by Speaker of the House Tim Moore would probably get their pink slips too.
I would encourage everyone reading this, regardless of whether you have a child in Cleveland County schools, if you genuinely care about the safety and education of Cleveland County’s school children, email each incumbent up for reelection and ask them why they have not reinstated the bullying task force. Even though Scott Spurling is not up for reelection, he will be next time. I suggest you email Mr. Spurling as well and ask him the same question. You see, although Mr. Spurling denies it, before Mr. Spurling’s election to the BOE, Mr. Spurling pledged his support to reinstate the bullying task force during a PABNC function but has reneged on that pledge. I would also encourage you to post your email and the board member’s reply on social media. And one final request, please copy PABNC at ccncpab@gmail.com on your email exchange.
For your convenience, here are the email addresses for all BOE incumbents up for re-election plus Walter Spurling’s email. For that matter, why don’t you email Dr. Fisher and ask Dr. Fisher why Dr. Fisher dismantled the bullying task force in the first place.
Robert Queen: rpqueen@clevelandcountyschools.org
Joel Shores: jrshores@clevelandcountyschools.org
Rodney Fitch: refitch@clevelandcountyschools.org
Ron Humphries: rehumphries@clevelandcountyschools.org
Greg Taylor: gstaylor@clevelandcountyschools.org
Walter Spurling: wspurling@clevelandcountyschools.org
Steven Fisher: srfisher@clevelandcountyschools.org