Reprinted with permission from the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald

Northampton County High School-East Principal Pamela Chamblee has been cleared of recent allegations of harassment at the Creeksville based school.

On Friday, Schools Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy released results of an investigation by school system attorneys.

“In light of the recent allegations that have been made in the local media, the Northampton County Board of Education has conducted a thorough and fair investigation of the climate and atmosphere at NCHS-East,” the press release stated. “Among other investigative activities, forty-five teacher (sic), administrators, and staff members were interviewed over the course of two days by the school system’s attorneys. Our review shows that the overwhelming majority of the individuals interviewed at NCHS-East find the climate and atmosphere to be professional and very supportive for student achievement.”

The press release closes, “At this time, the Board has no further comment on this matter.”

More than a month ago, a group of parents, former and current employees leveled harassment allegations against Chamblee.

On Monday, Eunice Ward, a spokesperson for that group, said the lawyers did not interview the right people and that “victims” were not contacted.

“We will continue to fight it,” she said.

Former NCHS-East teacher Shonda Harris-Muhammed, who now resides in Virginia, said her first reaction to the results of the investigation was disappointment.

Muhammed in the past has said Chamblee yelled at her and embarrassed her in front of students.

Muhammed said she was concerned that the investigation was not removed from any bias with the school system’s own attorneys conducting the investigation.

“It’s most wise for a district to remove themselves (from an investigation),” she said. “Northampton County did not do that and I find that to be very unprofessional.”

Muhammed said she feels confident that the truth about the harassment will come out.

“It’s going to happen again,” she said.

Faye Smith, who has grandchildren attending NCHS-East, was also disappointed by the investigation.

“I know Dr. Bracy is lying when he says there is no hostility at Northampton East,” she said.

Smith said the harassment will not go away and that the issue will come to a head.

“The bruises of hostility will show,” she said.

Smith, who was in attendance at the last school board meeting, said she was also concerned that she was not allowed to speak to the board about NCHS-East during open session, but rather had to speak during closed session.

Pamela Jerman of Capital Heights, Md. said she has nephews who attend the school.

Jerman said she called Chamblee after her nephews were involved in an altercation at the school to see why their parents were not contacted.

In a January 25 letter to Dr. Bracy, Jerman alleges Chamblee became “very rude and hostile.” Later in their conversation, Jerman said Chamblee hung up on her.

“She doesn’t even resolve issues with parents,” she said. “We have to do something for our kids at our schools.”

A Murfreesboro man died last Wednesday in a fatal Northampton County crash, the state Highway Patrol reported. The wreck occurred around 6:50 p.m. James Casper Jr., 43, died in the two vehicle wreck at the intersection of Highway 258 and 158 a third of a mile south of Murfreesboro. No further details were available as the final report by Trooper Troy Wood has not been completed.

An investigation of a domestic dispute at the Orchard Inn led the Weldon Police Department to make a drug bust Monday. Because the person charged in the drug bust and her boyfriend knew the subjects involved in the domestic, Chief Mark Macon said investigating officers were given consent to search. The officers found 5.69 grams of a powdered crystal substance along with paraphernalia. The substance found will be sent for analysis. Macon declined to say if the substance was crystal meth until it is confirmed by the tests. Police arrested Elaine May Henderson, 26, of Salisbury, Maryland, and charged her with possession of a controlled substance. She was jailed on $1,000 bond.

The Halifax County Sheriff's Office Sunday charged a Gaston man with larceny of a firearm and larceny. Lieutenant Bobby Martin said in a press release Rock Anthony Freeman, 20, was charged after investigation into a December 22 complaint from a victim located in the 3000 block of Highway 903. The victim had several items taken from her home including a shotgun. Through further investigation it was learned Freeman was at the home when the items were taken. Freeman was placed under a $5,000 bond and has a March 17 court date.

Former Roanoke Rapids City Manager Phyllis Lee is now a consultant for the town of Weldon.

The board made the decision to hire Lee following a closed session at its meeting Monday night, Mayor Julia Meacham confirmed.

Lee’s first meeting with the town will be a March 22 budget work session at 1 p.m.

That Lee’s first meeting is a budget work session makes sense because she will be advising the town on financial matters, Meacham said. “She will be helping work on the budget and financial issues. She comes highly recommended.”

Meacham said as a new mayor and having what she described as a fairly new board, “I want us to make good decisions. We want to know we are financially sound so we can use the taxpayers’ money the best we can, that we can operate as efficiently as we can.”

Meacham said Lee will able to help the town board stay within its budget. This is important because the town is in the middle of cleanup efforts it hopes will lead to economic development. “To look at these buildings is a hindrance to promoting economic development. The issue was neglected by previous boards. This board has different priorities than previous boards.”

While the town is currently advertising for a town administrator, Meacham said Lee has no interest in that position. “I know she’s got qualifications for finances and helping us make good decisions.”

Lee, who will be paid $25 an hour, said she was excited about the opportunity. “I was a little surprised. I look forward to getting back and doing some finance.”

Lee said the town currently does not have a finance director. “A lot of the board members are new and not familiar with doing a budget. That’s my strength. I will do whatever special projects they want done.”