Citizens ask commissioners to withhold school funding due to masking
Mask mandates were the hot topic for citizens at the Davidson County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, October 12. During the public address, multiple residents addressed commissioners expressing their displeasure with mask mandates within Davidson County Schools (DCS) and Thomasville City Schools (TCS). Lexington City Schools requires masks inside their schools as well.
Polly Leonard, a parent of a DCS student, stated she was there to “demand your allegiance under Section 5 of the North Carolina State Constitution. I’m demanding all state funds be withheld from DCS until they cease and desist all criminal acts being perpetrated against our kids with the COVID-19 toolkit.”
Before Leonard began speaking, a document was passed out to each commissioner. During her address, Leonard shared that the paper were a 15 page legal letter an attorney from Raleigh sent to every public school board of education and superintendent stating what laws and statutes were being violated by masking.
Stemming from her attendance at the October 5 DCS Board of Education meeting, Leonard accused:
the school board of being bribed,
Superintendent Dr. Emily Lipe of using intimidation tactics to remove citizens for not replying to requests
Lipe of removing her mask once the public was out of the room while the board was in closed session
Leonard ended her statement by saying, “There kids deserve to be freed from the bondage of slavery placed on them by the criminal ruling class that accepted the bribery payout. God is watching to see who will stand for righteousness.”
Citizens Dawn Hash, Scott Ford and Brandi Furr also asked the commissioners to withhold funds. Furr’s children attend school in Thomasville. The veteran asked how does she not have constitutional rights.
Additionally, commissioners approved a zoning request for the old Brian Center location on Business 85. It will transition from a Highway Commercial designation to Limited Industrial. A trucking company with seven trucks and 10 trailers will operate out of the location.
Two proclamations were made at the meeting. The first was for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Tim Tilley, executive director for Family Services of Davidson County, accepted the decree. The Young Marines of Davidson County were on hand to receive the declaration for Red Ribbon Week. Occurring October 23-31, the week is focuses on showing support for a drug free environment for kids. This year’s slogan is ‘Drug free looks like me.’
Prior to adjourning, commissioners voted to proceed with a purchase of multiple acres adjacent to Yadkin River Park and to postpone a public hearing about renaming Embler Cemetery Road to Memory Lane.
