The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board chose its new member on Thursday from a pool of fourteen applicants. At the meeting in Chapel Hill, board members used an updated two step voting process to make their pick, David Saussy.

“Be it therefore resolved that the board of education approves the appointment of David Saussy as a board member for a one-year term,” said board member Jamezetta Bedford.

“I’m a parent of two children in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school system,” said Saussy in an interview after the meeting. “Both attend Glenwood Elementary School, a 5th grader and a 3rd grader.”

Saussy holds a PhD in pharmacology and works for GlaxoSmithKline in corporate development. In his application for the position, he wrote that his training as a scientist gives him an understanding of “rigorous data collection and analysis.”

“I will contribute a desire to improve communication with the community, and a desire to ensure that everything is analyzed from every angle possible,” said Saussy in the interview. “I’ve spent a lot of time recently as a member of the Glenwood SIT (School Improvement Team) advocating for Glenwood School as it has gone through challenges with overcrowding and redistricting, and trying to make sure we come up with solutions that are the best solution for the school and . . . the best we can do for the district as a whole.”

The vacancy came because Mia Burroughs left the school board to join the Orange County Board of Commissioners.

The board voted in Mike Kelley to replace Jamezetta Bedford as the chair. And the board chose Andrew Davidson to replace Mia Burroughs as the vice chair.

Also, during the public comment period Mark Dorosin, a civil rights lawyer and Orange County commissioner, urged the board to pass a resolution supporting the rights of undocumented immigrant children. Some North Carolina counties have adopted resolutions discouraging these children from attending public schools. But denying admission to students because of immigration status runs contrary to the state constitution and the U.S. constitution.

Bedford and other members said they want to make it known that this district welcomes immigrant students. The board will continue discussions on how best to communicate this message.

The Chapel Hill Town Council, the Carrboro Board of Alderman and the Orange County Board of Commissioners recently passed resolutions supporting the rights of immigrant children.

Related Stories
‹
Orange, Chatham County School Districts Closed Monday Due To Hazardous Weather
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Orange County Schools and Chatham County Schools will all be closed on Monday, Mar. 16, due to forecasted hazardous weather conditions. The trio of local school districts sent out alerts to their families on Sunday night to share their decisions and warn of the impending weather. “Monday’s weather forecast calls for […]
Kimberly Jones: Rural Public Schools Don’t Want a Handout. They Want Access to Opportunity
Former teacher of the year Kimberly Jones, once a rural area public school student, says state lawmakers should offer the same opportunities to rural students that are offered to those from wealthier
In Split Vote, CHCCS School Board Chooses 3 Elementary Schools to Study for Closure
After weeks of debate and waffling between which elementary schools to study, the CHCCS Board of Education made its choices last Thursday.
CHCCS Board of Education Weighs Closing 2 Elementary Schools Amid Enrollment, Funding Declines
The CHCCS Board of Education began its latest round of feedback on Feb. 5 about how to approach closing at least one elementary school in the face of waning enrollment and funding challenges.
CHCCS, Orange County Schools on 2-Hour Delay for Thursday as Districts Monitors Overnight Precipitation
With the threat of wintry mix and freezing temperatures on Wednesday night, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools announced it will operate on a two-hour delay for Thursday morning.
Orange County Schools Cancels Wednesday Classes Over Road Conditions; CHCCS, Chatham Plan Returns
The Orange County Schools district shared an alert with families and students on Tuesday saying instruction for Wednesday is canceled.
CHCCS on Remote Learning, Chatham and Orange County Schools Closed After Weekend Winter Storm
After Winter Storm Gianna dumped several inches of snow across central North Carolina Saturday, school districts across the community have announced closures for Monday, Feb. 2. Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools will have a remote learning day on Monday. Middle and high schoolers will use synchronous instruction, meaning teachers will meet with students through live virtual sessions. […]
Remote Learning Day 5 for Orange County Schools; 2-Hour Delay for CHCCS, Chatham County
Orange County Schools will hold its fifth and final available day of remote learning on Friday, while CHCCS and Chatham have two-hour delays.
Orange County Schools Continues Remote Learning, While Chatham County Cancels Class for Thursday
Orange County Schools students will see another day of remote learning on Thursday, Jan. 29, as the district said it would continue to prioritize caution as below-freezing temperatures led to lingering ice in the community.
UNC Men's Basketball Collaborates With Hargraves Students to Design Warm-Up Shirts
The UNC men’s basketball team took another road trip Wednesday afternoon, though this one was closer to home than most.
›