School board members listen to students' concerns, answer questions

A group of 20 New Bern High School students got an opportunity to ask questions and voice complaints about their education to Craven County's top school policymakers on Tuesday.

Finding a way to get smoking stopped in New Bern High School bathrooms, getting access to the school through more doors, and having more security personnel were among top concerns voiced by students to members of the Craven County Board of Education.

Board Chairman Carr Ipock said that when the board looked at a plan to interact with "stakeholders" of the education process as a way to better determine policy, "we decided that our most important stakeholders are the students."

For the second year, the board members sat down for an hour and a half with a diverse group of students.

They sat in a circle of chairs in a second-floor room at the school away from other students and teachers and were not asked their names.

Some answers came quickly as did some questions from Ipock and education board members Becky Kafer and Kim Smith. Superintendent Larry Moser provided some answers for students on the spot.

Asked around the room whether they thought their education was preparing them for college or jobs, most students said it is. But there were several references to a need for more practical education, like shop and carpentry ("Not everybody is going to college."), and several specific requests for more variety in foreign language instruction, more sociology courses, and some scheduling considerations for the honors courses offered.

Students already in the schools' accelerated program and some who want a chance to be said they think those who do not perform at honors level should be dropped to make a place for more serious students.

Board members asked if students feel safe and most said they did feel safe, even though they are aware of gang activity and weapons on campus.

"If you mind your own business there is nothing to worry about, I guess," one student said.

"We need metal detectors," another said.

Others suggested more supervision of stairways and the bridge between buildings.

One student opened up about being picked on and physically hurt while at a middle school and board members asked if teachers do enough to control such behavior.

"I feel safe but kids get bullied all the time and the teachers need to know how to handle it," one said.

"I feel like they do as much as they can but this student has poured out her heart and needs to talk to somebody," said another.

Some of the most frequent complaints from students included the price and quality of school lunches, which cost $2, a need for more calculators, and the inability to take some school books home.

Moser said students should be allowed to check books out if they do not have one assigned.

More counselors and better posting of scholarship opportunities were also a concern expressed by several as even more important than Career and College Days.

The group concerns will be looked at and addressed, Ipock assured them, and they will meet again.