The following article appeared in The Daily Reflector on June 12.

The Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to serve its members by strengthening the business environment; enhancing the quality of life; communicating the views of business and supporting constructive initiatives on major issues of public policy.

In meeting its mission, the Chamber often takes proactive positions on legislative issues.  Such is the case with Senate Bill 260, the legislation introduced by Senator Louis Pate that would reduce the number of school board members from 12 to seven and would lower the length of terms from six years to four.  It has passed the State Senate and Representative Bill Cook is now shepherding it through the House.

From the history provided by informed persons who were involved at the time, the conversation about a smaller school board dates back to merger of the city and county school systems – in the 80s.  The merged board was 14.  Reduction to 12 occurred a few years later, but the contemplated reduction to a much smaller number – which was advised by the U.S. Department of Justice – never occurred.  Over the past two years, from chamber surveys and a Daily Reflector poll, it has been affirmed that such change is still desired by business and citizens.

This year, as we do every year, a group of Chamber leaders met with our legislative delegation to present to them our legislative position paper which covered a number of issues.  (Read the full position paper at www.greenvillenc.org/ga).

In February, Chamber Board Chairman Dan Nichols spoke to the school board and requested their support on the three parts of our position.  From Dan Nichols’ comments to the school board on Feb. 28:  “We are asking you to take the lead in making this change.  We are asking you to start at the top – with yourselves – to create better efficiency and effectiveness with our school system.”  Five of them said yes; seven said no, and majority rules. (Read Dan’s comments in entirety at www.greenvillenc.org/ga).

Soon thereafter, we became aware of others in the community – including Mr. Jack Wall – as well as many parents who were in support of this change.  Mr. Wall took the initiative to work with Senator Pate on the specifics of the legislation.  Even though it was slightly different from the position we had created (which called for a board of nine), we chose to support the bill.

From an economic and business development point of view, we have some concerns about our schools, and we are working to be a part of the solution.  We are proud to have 170 businesses engaged in education through our OASIS program and an Education Cabinet of committed businesses and individuals.  Our Teen Leadership program is among the best in the state.  All of our efforts in education are county-wide.

Our position in support of SB 260 is about government efficiency, effectiveness and accountability.  We believe a smaller board will create better focus and transparency.  It should alleviate dissension among members and create better opportunity for consensus building and unity for the whole system as opposed to territorial, parochial, or personal agendas.

This is a governance issue.  It is not about who is serving on the school board but about the structure under which they serve.  We have the largest school board in North Carolina, and in this case, more is not better.

There is much negativity created by a small number who do not want change.  But we will stand strong.  We support the business community; we have 1,000 members which represent about 30,000 employees.  We stand with the parents and business people and concerned citizens who believe this is right.  We stand with the hundreds and hundreds who have written or called legislators with their support.  We stand strong for the children of Pitt County Schools who are our future – our future workforce and our future leaders.