Rachel Keith

Around the state and in New Hanover County, educators returned to school this week — and some were told to immediately take down or cover up their class libraries until all the books are categorized in an online database. The orders are based on a new state law.

New Hanover County goes back to school this week — and some families are sending kids back to buildings without a full-time nurse. Parents weigh-in on how they’re dealing with the sudden change and what steps they’re taking next.

Some University of North Carolina at Wilmington faculty are establishing a chapter of the American Association of University Professors. The tenured leaders of the group say they’re establishing it in part to protect their academic freedom.

This coming academic year, about 60% of New Hanover County schools, mostly elementary schools, will share a nurse. In prior years, each school had its own nurse.

Hurricane Erin will be producing high surf and strong rip currents throughout the week. Officials with Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue say no one should be swimming.

Last week, the New Hanover County school board was slated to consider a resolution in support of the state legislature fully funding the court-ordered, eight-year Leandro Comprehensive Remedial Plan. The board members ran out of time to take up the issue, irking some public education advocates; however, it’s on the docket for later this month. The battle over Leandro funding has a long history — and the debate is ongoing. It’s unclear whether any of the billions in additional funds will ever be released.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has opened an investigation into a secret camera, placed inside an office at Cape Fear Community College, used by the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office deputies who provide security on campus. The investigation was launched on Thursday morning at the request of District Attorney Jason Smith and Sheriff Ed McMahon.

At Tuesday’s New Hanover County school board meeting, Republican board members Josie Barnhart and Pat Bradford led the charge to have their colleagues consider codifying new rules around parent and student book challenges. That would include school-level requests for book limitations or removals going to a districtwide review, redacting the names of parents who ask for school or district limitations or removals of books, and instituting a book rating system similar to MPAA ratings.

The Republican-controlled school board indicated they were trying to walk the line in choosing a fair punishment for David Perry, based on allegations that at times lacked specificity. The decision, which stopped short of censure but stripped Perry of his committee seat, clearly strained relationships on the board — especially for Perry, who called the meeting a ‘Kangaroo court,' and said he’s contemplating legal options.

On the New Hanover County school board’s Tuesday docket is a resolution in support of Solly’s Law. The proposed bill would raise the age of buying tobacco products from 18 to 21 — bringing it in line with federal regulations.