Ginger Bullock Spoke next. It was an improvised but totally damning an powerful example of an inactive CCC Board of Trustees. Mrs. Bullock states “I am tired of seeing my name in the newspapers, Political Smack-Down and other Media” when the entire Board of Trustees, specifically Allen Langley, never spoke to me or asked me not one single question. (After the meeting I asked Allen Langley about this and Mr. Langley admitted Bullock’s statement was true. According to Mr. Langley he had been directed not to talk to Bullock as the employee grievance policies did not allow this. I stated to Mr. Langley that the Board’s Policies were clearly not effective and the CCC Board was hiding behind poor policies to justify their actions, inactions in this case. More about this in other articles.) Mrs. Bullock told the Board that she had PROOF to show what she has said is true. Mrs. Bullock asked the Board, “How can you review me without talking to me.” And “What has taken you so long.” Mrs. Bullock then described how she was treated when she was only trying to make sure the lessons she was responsible for were done properly and that she simply got a letter in the mail that she was terminated.
No Board member had any comments, statements of questions for any of the speakers.
Chairman Westmoreland asked for a motion to go into Closed Session and Board member Bill Turpish made a clear and concise motion to go into closed session and included all the required sections of NC State Law that are required to go into closed session. It is obvious that this Board is making a large effort to get the legal requirements in running their Board Meetings in accordance with the law. The motion passed unanimously and the public was asked to leave the meeting room.
The Closed Session attendees included all Board members present, including Allen Langley (as a guest) as well as the CCC Public Information Officer, Paula Vess, a secretary to take minutes and Attorney David Teddy. I am uncertain of the lawfulness of inviting guests and Public Information Officers into official Closed Sessions.
The Closed Session lasted the better part of two hours and the members of the public attending the meeting were speculating what was being discussed. Everything from where was CCC going to get the cash to pay off Thornburg (I had heard the plan was to take money out of allocations to repair roofing, but they likely were told that was illegal.), to terms of the Interim President’s Contract.
Whatever transpired in the Closed Session is unknown as when the Board came back into Open session, they took no action regarding the Closed Session and adjourned the meeting. It will be interesting to see what comes out of this because no action was voted on in open session as is required by law. In many respects it seems that whatever they do that came out of the closed session will be illegal. Maybe I was doing too much bragging previously about the CCC Board trying to conduct their meetings in accordance with state law.
After the meeting was adjourned I asked the Public Information Officer “what is the public information that is coming out of this closed door meeting?” Ms. Vess told me that it was confidential right now. I stated (since I have requested to be placed on the CCC Sunshine List) “I want to be one of the first to know.”
I had some other conversations after the meeting that will be the subject of forthcoming articles. Stay Tuned