Rachel Keith

The filing details the history of CFCC President Jim Morton's rise to power at the college and what led up to the removal of Ray Funderburk from his position as a trustee.

This week, ‘Bloody May,’ when some CFCC employees find out their contracts haven’t been renewed, claimed three of the college’s deans, along with one other longtime employee.

Teacher Appreciation Week was earlier this month, but students from New Hanover High say their support will be valued well beyond just those five days of recognition.

Last fiscal year, CFCC received $363,151 in labor market adjustment reserve funds from the General Assembly. CFCC was one of three community colleges out of 58 across the state that didn't account for the use of those funds for a state board report. Records acquired by WHQR show they mainly went to those in upper administration who are categorized as "institutional support" and those who work in student services.

On Tuesday, the New Hanover County School Board voted unanimously to formally ask North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein to immediately release the State Bureau Investigation (SBI) file on the school system’s alleged obstruction of justice. The board also settled on legal services for the next six months.

The New Hanover County Commissioners have declared the beginning of May as “Resilient and Thriving Communities Week.” Part of this recognition is highlighting the role non-profits play in supporting children and their families.

On Tuesday evening, the New Hanover County School Board voted 4-3 to hire the Vogel Law Firm to replace their current one, Tharrington Smith. But this decision was not without controversy.

Board members were informed that the district has lost $4.5 million in federal funding over the last five years due to the disproportionate suspensions of Black students. Staff suggestions for correcting this disparity included variations on ‘social-emotional learning,' which triggered a debate over the practice — and even the meaning of the phrase.

On Tuesday, the New Hanover County School Board will vote to select their legal representation from three firms: Poyner Spruill, Tharrington Smith, and Vogel Law Firm PLLC. During the board’s agenda review on Monday, these firms gave presentations advocating to be the board’s next legal counsel.

Records show spikes in spending on legal services around certain events. Email records also show that one of the 'smoking guns' used against Funderburk is less conclusive than the definitive way it was presented during the removal hearing last month.