Rachel Keith
Reporter/HostRachel is a graduate of UNCW's Master of Public Administration program, specializing in Urban and Regional Policy and Planning. She also received a Master of Education and two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and French Language & Literature from NC State University. She served as WHQR's News Fellow from 2017-2019. Contact her by email: rkeith@whqr.org or on Twitter @RachelKWHQR
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In honor of Sunshine Week — an annual event focused on government transparency and reporters who work to hold governments accountable for being open to the public — WECT, Port City Daily, and WHQR took a look at warrants and domestic violence protection orders. WHQR also took a closer look at a new policy aimed at giving New Hanover County school board members first crack at public documents — something that definitely isn't in keeping with the spirit of Sunshine Week.
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At Thursday’s New Hanover County Schools budget work session, the Board of Education said they’re still working on their submission to the county commission — which they hope to send by April 15. They’re asking the county for $107 million for operating expenses and capital costs ($8.7 million).
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In honor of Sunshine Week — an annual event focused on government transparency — WECT, Port City Daily, and WHQR explored the world of warrants. These are public records, except when they're not — and that's not the only potential source of confusion.
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Last week, the New Hanover County School Board passed policy 2320: Compliance with Open Meetings Law. The vote was 4-3 with members Stephanie Kraybill, Stephanie Walker, and Hugh McManus dissenting. However, public accountability experts say some parts of the newest policy run afoul of public records law.
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On Tuesday, March 12, education advocates in New Hanover County held a rally drawing attention to the district’s multi-million dollar budget shortfall. The crowd called on officials to invest more in public schools.
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Earlier this year, a Superior Court judge dismissed a case brought by a student against Cape Fear Community College and several other organizations, which alleged she was treated unfairly. But court documents, recordings, and interviews with the student show there's much more to the story — including evidence that CFCC both took action to remove two employees who were involved and tried to keep the initial complaints from media and the public.
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In the GOP and Democratic primaries for the New Hanover County School Board, three candidates from each party are moving forward to the general.
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In the GOP primary, three districts for the Brunswick County Board of Education were contested. One incumbent moves forward to face a Democratic challenger in the general election — winners in the other two races are set to sail through the general without opponents.
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The New Hanover County Schools district is facing a roughly $20 million funding shortfall. The budgetary details are complicated, involving the expiration of federal Covid-relief funds, as well as the need to replenish the district’s general fund. Superintendent Dr. Charles Foust has resisted calls to ask the county to increase its local funding to help fill the gap — meaning the only way to balance the budget is cutting spending, and dozens if not hundreds of jobs.
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Incumbent David Robinson was running for re-election when he passed away on Monday. He had been facing two challengers in the Republican primary for Brunswick County Board of Education’s District 2. There will be no Democratic challenger in November.