Superintendent addresses student protest at BHS

Last week’s disruption at Bertie High School was billed as a protest sparked by the termination of former head football Coach Darius Wesson.

While originally tight-lipped on whether the event happened, officials confirmed the incident occurred and issued a statement addressing the disturbance the following day.

“Yesterday, May 7, at Bertie High School, students protested to express their dissatisfaction with a post on Facebook written by Coach Darius Wesson regarding him not returning as the Head Football Coach,” Bertie County Schools said in a statement. “The students used time between classes to express their concerns by holding up signs and voicing their dissatisfaction.

“The First Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to peacefully protest, and the students exercised that right. However, Bertie County School Board policy 4315 states that students are prohibited from disrupting teaching, the orderly conduct of school activities or any other lawful function of the school or school system,” he continued. “While students have the right to peacefully protest, they must ensure that their actions do not disrupt the educational environment or interfere with the functioning of the school.”

The statement went on to highlight the School Board’s concerns for student safety and well being while respecting and accepting the student’s right to protest.

However, it was the “candid message” from Bertie County Schools Superintendent Dr. Otis Smallwood and the Bertie Board of Education that set the record straight and outlined Smallwood’s commitment to “Build a Better Bertie.”

“Other than the arrival and the duration of COVID-19, in my opinion, this has been one of the most tumultuous weeks in Bertie County Schools in the last five years,” Dr. Smallwood said. “Emotions and feelings have really been running high. I guess in some ways you can say this has been Bertie’s own small pandemic as it has affected most, if not all, of Bertie County.

“First, let me just say to my students, you rallied around an issue that is important to you. You stood up for someone for whom you have great admiration,” he continued. “You took advantage of your First Amendment right, and that is to be commended.”

Despite this, it could have been more classy and cleaner since protests are only allowed in a peaceful manner,” Dr. Smallwood said. “There is never a time you have the right to defame anyone’s character or use lewd and vulgar language (not even on paper). That is just not acceptable. It is not even legal. That is not how Bertie should be portrayed.”

Dr. Smallwood said he has made it his mission to provide the best for students.

“It has been the number one priority under this administration to ensure that our kids receive the best: the best materials, the best equipment, the best facilities, etc.,” he said. “Our students deserve the same opportunities and the same access (to the extent of what we can afford) as larger districts in the state. That has always been the priority and that won’t change.

“Most importantly, we try to always place the right adult in front of each child every day. That is how we #BuildABetterBertie,” wrote Smallwood.

He went on to explain the district is continually searching for the best educators to hire and retain. The superintendent also outlined teachers are required to obtain certain qualifications and hold certifications necessary to qualify for their positions.

“Bertie County Schools, believe it or not, is in a good place. It is better than it has been for a long while. We have made great strides over the last few years,” Dr. Smallwood explained. “Test scores are up, the graduation rate is up, suspensions are down and teacher turnover has decreased.

“If we expect to move to the next level, it will take all of us in the community to continue to work together to do what is best for our students. We have to do what is best for students, not what we think is best just for specific individuals. Please remember that our schools will only be as good as the community they serve,” Smallwood added.

Smallwood’s and the district’s week ended on a brighter note on Friday evening when Bertie educators and Bertie Early College Students were recognized at the Martin Community College graduation ceremony for their achievements.