During the report of the Vance County Board of Commissioners’ General Government Committee on Monday evening, County Manager Jerry Ayscue reported that the committee had determined that funding a private school was not a legal use of public money.
The committee was responding to a request made by community activist and second-hand shop owner Deryl von Williams during October’s board meeting for support in seeking grant money for the renovation of the old Scott Parker School for use as a private school, the Vance County Learning Center.
The Vance County Learning Center was conducted, at least in part, in the H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library. Classes began in the library in earnest after the school’s original site was closed for building code violations. Misbehaviors of Vance County Learning Center students and alleged misconduct by Von Williams herself eventually led the library’s board of trustees to adopt a policy that effectively barred Von Williams from holding class in the library and banned her from the building in February of 2007. When she subsequently re-entered the building, was informed of her banishment, and refused to leave, she was charged with criminal trespass.
An investigation by the Human Relations Commission, requested by the Vance County Board of Commissioners, eventually led to a resolution that included the dropping of the criminal charge against Von Williams and the reinstatement of her personal library privileges. The commission’s report is detailed here.
During yesterday’s meeting, Ayscue noted that Commissioner Eddie Wright had asked the board to consider a letter of support for Von Williams. A draft of the letter was provided to commissioners, but not to Home in Henderson.
Eddie Wright later complained that the letter did not say anything about [Von Williams’] school.
Ayscue tried to explain that there is a liability inherent in the county endorsing a private school.
After Ayscue spoke, Eddie Wright crumpled his copy of the letter and threw it to the floor, then briefly left the meeting by exiting into a room adjacent to the board’s chambers. He returned a few minutes later.
County Attorney Jonathan Care later addressed Eddie Wright’s concerns, stating that he had composed the letter in general terms because there were too many unanswered questions to write a letter in the name of the commission endorsing the organization. He said that his letter was not an attempt to comment.
The board decided to “hold off” on the letter.
During the discussion, member Danny Wright suggested that Von Williams change her “entity structure”. He said that Von Williams is providing a great service. Near the end of the discussion, he recommended that she seek 501(c)(3) non-profit status.
Board member Terry Garrison suggested that the county apply for a pre-development grant to pay for a feasibility study for the Scott Parker building. He said that the building could be used for “multiple purposes”.
The building is currently unoccupied.
The commission agreed to apply for a pre-development grant by December 12, 2008.
Commisioner Scott Hughes expressed a need to “try to target our youth”.
Member Deborah Brown remarked that it “appears that we want to be able not to help this organization”. She noted that the county is paying insurance on the building in question.
Commissioner Tim Pegram, the longest currently-serving county commissioner in North Carolina, asked Brown how the Scott Parker building is different than other buildings [the county owns but are currently unused]. Brown responded that those buildings need to be looked at as well.
“Let us pursue the motion diligently,” Brown said.