“Apparently I’m asking too many questions”

Carolina Journal’s Dan Way reports today on two elected school board members — one from Buncombe County Schools and one from the Alamance-Burlington School System — who evidently make their colleagues nervous by delving into policies and asking questions that don’t comport with the established mindset of the majority. And now, as Way reports, board member Lisa Baldwin has had enough of being rebuffed.

After months of complaining about being bullied by her colleagues on the Buncombe County Board of Education, Lisa Baldwin has enlisted the assistance of a state lawmaker to determine whether a new board policy improperly restricts her access to public records.

The rule, adopted in June, requires board members to submit all requests for information to the superintendent of schools for “discretionary decisions” on allocating staff time. Requests submitted within 48 hours of a meeting also must go to the school board chairman for consultation with the superintendent before they’re granted.

“It’s unlawful, I think. It strips me of my rights not only as a board member but as a private citizen,” and interferes with her ability to gather information she needs to make a fully informed vote, Baldwin said.

“I’ve referred that to the [Attorney General’s] Office” for a ruling, said state Rep. Tim Moffitt, R-Buncombe, after Baldwin contacted him about the policy.

I see this as an issue of transparency and accountability. When public officials seek to limit access to information, it’s a big red flag.