Tempers flare over lawsuit at Johnston County Board of Education meeting
Tempers flared Monday at a Johnston County Board of Education meeting, where yelling and heated discussions were heard over a lawsuit filed by a current board member at the center of an investigation.
The 8:30 a.m. special meeting was called to release a report from the school board's attorney, Poyner Spruill, LLP, and investigators after an unnamed teacher filed a grievance with the board about new school board member Michelle Antoine, who was elected last November.
Antoine, who recently filed a lawsuit against the Johnston County Board of Education and the board's chair on Sept. 12, is under investigation for making disparaging comments toward the teacher and engaging in other inappropriate behavior.
Tensions were high Monday morning, with board members bickering for much of the 45-minute meeting as investigators revealed three allegations against Antoine.
The first allegation and finding was completely redacted to remove sensitive information.
The second allegation, which was not proven, claims Antoine conspired with others to file grievances against an employee.
Antoine was found in violation of the third allegation against her, which claimed she was not truthful to investigators and broke board rules, including releasing confidential information about the complainant.
Board member Terry Tippett was heard screaming, "You are the most unprofessional person seen on any board ... do not interrupt me. Do you want to threaten me?"
The board voted 5 to 2 that Antoine could answer the report findings in an affidavit form, or a written statement where the signing party swears that the contents of the document are true and correct.
In the meeting, Antoine can be heard addressing the allegations, saying, "These are 100% false ... this is supposed to be a hearing ... to talk about my character and fitness and you wont allow me an opportunity."
She provided this statement to WRAL News:
Over the last several years, education leaders across the country, along with the U.S. Attorney General, admonished supposed violent acts and rhetoric at school board meetings. Our Johnston County elected official, vice chair of the Board of Education, Terry Tippett, stood up at today's open session meeting and threatened another board member with real physical violence. When the camera cut away, Terry Tippett made forward physical motion to engage in physical violence against Ron Johnson. Mr. Johnson remained calm and reasoned. Two sheriff's deputies had to move to the front of the room to mitigate the violent threat. The board chair Lyn Andrews, who orchestrated this meeting, smiled as the threats of violence were made. It is unthinkable that an elected official should threaten physical violence on anyone, especially a fellow board member. Terry Tippett should face serious repercussions, including real consideration for removal from elected office, by whatever mechanism available, should he not resign. In the matter before the board today, the grievant's complaint was found inadequate to prove any violations. The investigating attorneys manufactured their own false claims, and those will be handled in an actual court of law. The sad truth is the students and staff of our schools took a backseat, so the political ambitions of the chair and vice chair could be carried out today. Johnston County deserves better school board leadership.
Court records show the lawsuit Antoine filed against the board, which was sealed by a judge, was dismissed Sunday night.
It's not the first time this year a Johnston County school board member was under fire.
In June, school board member and former Smithfield police officer Ronald Johnson filed a federal lawsuit accusing the town of Smithfield, police leaders, school board members and others of violating his rights, listing complaints of sexual and disability discrimination, wrongful termination and defamation.
Johnson was charged earlier this year with one count of felony extortion, one count of felony obstruction of justice and three counts of willfully failing to discharge duties.
He was fired from the police department after an internal investigation, and the school board censured him for an inappropriate text.
On Monday morning, Antoine could be heard saying, "This is what you did to Ron Johnson, you pick out a target and you chase me down."
