HRC minutes 061217 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Annette Moore stated the budget meeting is June 13, where the HHRCD department will defend its budget to the BOCC and the Commissioners will ask questions about its contents. There is a BOCC work session on a later date where they have their intent to adopt the budget, and on June 20 they will officially adopt the budget. V. Subcommittee Updates A. Executive Committee Rollin Russell stated that it is time for the Board of County Commissioner's (BOCC) to appoint the HRC applicants. Ms. Richard clarified that Thom Freeman from the Clerk's Office recommended waiting to propose the applicants until the Commissioners' meeting on September 5. Tara May reiterated that it was the Clerk's Office's suggestion to postpone appointments and reappointments to the Fall to ensure all applicants have attended at least one meeting and to ensure there are enough applicants to fill all of the vacant positions at once. Annette Moore clarified that members with terms expiring at the end of June can continue on until the BOCC meeting in September. B. Diversity Matters 1. Mr. Russell announced he will attend the June 20 BOCC meeting to present on the Town Hall meeting and announce the Community Read. 2. Mr. Russell reflected on the Town Hall meeting and restated the panelists: i. Reginald Hildebrand, UNC African American Studies - history of flag ii. Mark Trustin, Esq. -legal latitude in another school district iii. Latarndra Strong, citizen - emotional response to flag iv. Ashley Campbell, citizen - Libertarian view of free speech as it relates to the flag V. Harry Watson -UNC Southern Culture- historical basis for white pride in the flag 3. Mr. Russell read aloud the draft report he will provide to the BOCC, emphasizing the 4 takeaways from the Town Hall on behalf of the HRC: i. First, there is a legal precedent both to support and not support the public display of the Confederate flag in public schools. ii. Second, many of the incidents of harassment and intimidation that were described could be dealt with through a clear policy on bullying. iii. Third, school personnel need to be trained and supported in how to receive and respond to such reports. iv. Forth, numerous modes or dress, including the display of inappropriate symbols, are or can be dealt with in the dress code, with an "e.g." that includes the Confederate flag and other symbols that are deeply and emotionally felt as an affront to particular minorities. Mr. Russell stated that once the draft is completed, he will run it by the Hate Free Schools Coalition and then send it to the school boards in Orange County