BY KARISSA MILLER
Rising tensions between Iredell-Statesville School board member Anita Kurn and some school board members boiled over during a contentious meeting Monday night, prompting the school board attorney to get involved.
“Mr. Chairman, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Chairman,” attorney Dean Shatley said over the arguing of the board members during the board member comment period. “I would suggest that you take control over the meeting. Ask the audience members to refrain from speaking. Ask all board members to be recognized before they speak. And, to limit the time of board member comment and Superintendent comment and to adjourn the meeting,” he said.
The dispute began when Kurn asked board chairman Bill Howell to clarify how “new matters” are added to the agenda. This came after a vote failed earlier in the meeting to add a discussion item of whether or not school board member Abby Trent is qualified to serve due to her residence.
“This is not the time to do it. I thought that I gave you an explanation. I know what you are trying to do. You’re trying to embarrass one of our board members. It seems like that is your SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) — you and Mr. Kubiniec,” Howell said.
“You want to criticize and say how poor everyone is but you. I know my job. I know my job isn’t the superintendent’s job. The superintendent runs the school,” he added.
Kurn denied Howell’s accusations.
“You can say it’s retaliation. That I’m trying to embarrass someone, but the law is the law. And truth is truth,” Kurn said.
Howell told Kurn that Board of Elections has already ruled on the matter. Trent has moved while renovations are being done on her Statesville home.
“After County Board of Elections rules that is final. Iredell-Statesville Schools doesn’t make law,” Howell said.
“The statute says otherwise,” Kurn continued to argue. “The people deserve a representative that lives in their district.”
During the back and forth between Kurn and Howell, Vice Chairman Charles Kelly interjected and raised concerns about the discussion that was taking place.
“We have spent 10 minutes talking about something that was planned to be on there as an agenda item, but was voted not to be on the agenda item. We voted not to include this item tonight and now we are discussing it. I think it’s not right,” Kelly said.
“For crying out loud — move on,” he said forcefully.
Earlier in the meeting, board member Mike Kubiniec said evidence was provided by an unnamed source that suggest Trent is living out of district. The school board attorney said that after the vote the matter wouldn’t be discussed anymore that night.
“You can yell as loud as you want, but the fact of the matter is Mrs. Trent does not live at (her address),” Kubiniec said.
Then he repeatedly asked Trent: “Where do you live?”
“It was not put on the agenda. So I’m not sure why we are discussing it,” Trent replied.
Censure vote postponed
Following this showdown, another standoff ensued as Howell attempted to continue discussion and vote on his earlier motion to censure Kubiniec.
“I was under the impression that once a motion had been made and a second that I could bring that up at the next meeting and it did not have to be on the agenda,” Howell said.
Kubiniec then called for a motion to adjourn the meeting, which failed 4-3 with Howell, Trent, Kelly and Doug Knight opposed.
The school board attorney then told Howell that he could add the censure on the agenda, but it would require five out of seven board members agreeing to it.
“I will just wait,” Howell said.
Last month, the board grappled with board member Kubinec’s conduct in a marathon meeting after Howell raised a list of concerns.
The board voted to remove Kubiniec from vice chairman and voted to name Kelly as his successor. Next, Howell called for a vote to censure Kubiniec.
This board then met in executive session for around 30 minutes before reconvening in open session.
Kubinec’s conduct as a board member was privately discussed because it pertained to school personnel — a closed session matter.
The board chairman told the public that Kubiniec had ignored school campus check-in procedures, which resulted in him bringing a drug offender for a visit to a school without prior permission or notice. He also outlined other concerning behavior.
While the board met in executive session, the meeting room half filled with community members who stood in solidarity with Kubiniec, stating he was doing his job.
The other half of the room called for Kubiniec to step down, along with demanding transparency of the entire board following an Iredell Free News investigation into the board’s ongoing secret meetings via text message.
Iredell Free News has filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction that would require the board to follow N.C. open meetings law.
During Monday’s meeting, Kubiniec said he had reviewed the evidence against him and that there was no merit to the accusations. He call the ordeal a “sham show.”
School Board business
The board has only one meeting this month and had a lot to accomplish on its agenda.
The district’s leadership team hoped to work through the fiscal year audit, budget and other important agenda items with the board without the focus being on politics.
However, that wasn’t the case. Both the school system budget and the annual audit were tabled for a later date for approval.
In the mix of things, board member Sloan called for a discussion on prayer before the school board meetings.
He said that the board says the Pledge of Allegiance, which says “under God” with a capital G.
“If we say it, shouldn’t we mean it? Shouldn’t our supporters and children hear us say it?” he asked.
Sloan proposed that each board member be able to openly pray before board meetings. He said that he feels that he should be able to trust in God and publicly express it.
Board members agreed to have the school board attorney draft a prayer policy, which they will discuss and consider at a future meeting.
What complete & utter childish behavior. True leaders put individual pettiness and differences aside, and lead for the betterment of the individuals they serve.
Brian Sloan is being used by the terrible two – Kurn and Kubiniec because they are manipulative and he is easily manipulated. After the things they have said about the end of the county Sloan represents they are the last people he should be supporting and voting with every time. I wonder if Sloan even remembers he isn’t a Mooresville representative because he sure isn’t representing a lot of us out here on the North end. He needs to remember where he lives and step away from the snakes. Remember Brian, you are the company you keep and will be painted with the exact same brush even though you were just a dupe. Roll around in the pig lot and see what you come out like why don’t ya? You KNOW that didn’t feel right what they were trying to do to Abby last night. I could see it in your face. You looked sick to your stomach and pale. Evil wins when good stands silent. That is what you are doing rolling with those two meanies. Look in the Bible at what God says the fruits of the spirit are and how Christians are supposed to be able to recognize each other and see if you see that in them because your God given gift of discernment is WAY OFF right now with the company you are keeping. Pray about it. Like for real, dude.
Agree! Especially bad when one of those is a “Christian” school Mom and doesn’t even have any children in ISS
You should get to know Brian better if you believe he’s a Christian representative.
I think Kubiniec and Kurn have something personal against Abby Trent. They need to take a good look in their closets and make sure that nothing is coming out of there!!! Abby is a conservative and they have a problem with that. Thank you, Bill Howell, for standing up against them. (Take note, Brian. You need side with the good guys).
I think they are angry that she left their extremist agenda and are trying to bully and intimidate her due to her younger age. ISS deserves better than school board members who will act like that.
When do the kids of Iredell County become the important ones here? Every meeting it is some sort of pissing match between board members, when it SHOULD BE about the students. Grow the hell up!
It said in the beginning of the article that Ms Trent’s home is being renovated, therefore she has no choice then to relocate temporarily. She should be able to stay on the board knowing that she will be returning to her original home.
Then why is it listed for sale on mls? Complete lie.
Why doesn’t Kurn just leave ISS and “help” her private school?
She isn’t even an ISS parent.
So Kubinec brings a drug dealer to a school filled with innocent children and the moms for liberty still support them? Sure, take books away from students. And as for Ms. Kurn, her support for prayers and knowing what she has said about our students makes me want to have absolutely no part of her religion. I would be embarrassed to attend church with her!
A misdemeanor marijuana charge doesn’t mean “drug dealer”. How many people who have ever smoked pot been banned from a school? 🤣
Matthew 5:6-8. Jesus taught, “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men … but when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your father who is unseen.”
Just sayin’…
No wonder we have fights on school property. The school board members cannot even control their own meetings long enough to have a productive meeting! Geez…grow up! I don’t have a student in the school system…and from the way these meetings are handled, I am thankful I don’t. Do feel sorry for those who do!
Captain K can’t seem to fathom why he is so disliked. One of the many reasons is that annoying New York accent. Makes my ears bleed.
Forget the accent. He is disliked because he has proven that he does not care about the students that he is supposed to support. He only cares about pleasing the M4L and pushing his extreme agenda. He and Kurn both have done everything they can to ruin public education in Iredell County. They both claim to support prayer in schools. Neither of them would know Christ-like behavior if it slapped them upside the head! I don’t recall Jesus teaching his followers to be petty, immature, and manipulative.
It’s absolutely unreal what has become acceptable behavior. Grow up. You’re there to do a job and the entire board is embarrassing.
I’m amazed at the comments by people who don’t know the facts. Go listen to the streaming video of yesterday’s school board meeting to learn the evidence about Ms. Trent’s residence. Chairman Howell didn’t want to permit discussion about her residence because he has to protect her as the fourth member of his majority voting block. Howell’s dictatorial performance during the last part of the meeting was absolutely unprofessional and illustrated his total lack of leadership skills.
Both Howell and Kelly must go!
Did the puppet master fall off the earth or what? You would think he would be right in amongst all this. I hope he is so proud. Where are you Mickey?
Please do a special edition of the patriot corner. We miss you and that other so called preacher. Now that WSIC has new ownership, maybe they will let you back on the air.
He is hiding, too much of a coward to show up, but he sends his mommy.
No, he has just yet again sent his poor mommy to the podium in his place. It’s actually pathetic.
You & your wife really need to find a better hobby.
Paula’s husband: you’re real bold to speak online! It’s so funny no one ever sees you at a board meeting. You and M4L send her to do your dirty work. How sad.
Paula’s husband, who also follows the M4L bandwagon, is a puppet and falls for whatever the puppeteer deems he should! AND WHO CARES!! PAULA, ED, it’s not about you, KURN OR KUBINEC!!! It’s about the children. You all are being deceived by egotistical, manipulative, fake attention seekers who care about their next FB post boosting their ego!!!! That’s all. You need to reevaluate who you support. Let me also clarify that your small group does not represent the views of Iredell County as a whole. You only represent a very, very small slice! IREDELL — stop supporting KURN, KUBINEC and anyone involved with them! Finally, I challenge everyone to email your discontent to the whole school board! Or write a letter to Dr. James and/or attorney Shatley (care of board, find e-mail info at: https://www.issnc.org/about/boe/meet-our-board).
If we want to save this county, everyone needs to take action against this mockery that has been made of our school system!!
Couldn’t agree more! The Iredell County School Board is an embarrassment. Charles Kelly is the only adult in the room and the only one worth keeping. Vote the rest OUT!!
Amen. The Iredell-Statesville School Board is a joke and the butt of many jokes around the state. VOTE THEM OUT or perhaps it is time for a recall.
I watched the I-SS school board meeting Nov. 6th. I prepared myself for the amusement and fear that I equate to a ride on a very looping and terrifying rollercoaster. I was not wrong. If the fear had not won out leaving me with a pit of nausea in my stomach, I would have microwaved a bag of popcorn to watch the show. (Just cannot determine if it was a drama or a tragic comedy.)
Mr. Kubenick was determined to continue his successful role as a soap opera victim/villain. Ms. Kurn was determined to fulfill her role as an overly dramatic poorly trained actress with very bad timing. Let’s put away the tired reality show and return to a productive group of people elected to put the students — ALL OF THE STUDENTS — first as you pledged to do, which each of you did when accepting the oath of the office.
Ms. Kurn, please go back to your group of writers (Mom for Liberty) and ask them to provide better lines in your script. When you said “the law is the law” you must have been suffering the age-old soap opera amnesia, for I do believe one of your (and others) first votes was knowingly and willfully breaking North Carolina law by voting to approve the school calendar as well as participating in secret illegal meetings. Remember the Thunderdome comments? Please put away your hypocritical and sanctimonious attitude. We can follow the plot. You and your tribe are mad because Ms. Trent cannot be counted on to be the fourth vote in the planned coup. Ms. Kurn, we know you are just a pawn in the plot since you will not put your children in public schools.
To the Iredell County voters, PLEASE during the next election cycle cast your VOTE for truly qualified candidates who will support the students, families and taxpayers.
Me: It is not currently listed for sale. Use your google resources!
On November 6, 2023, it was listed online as for sale. After the school board meeting it was no longer offered for sale. It makes no difference if the house is for sale or not if Ms. Trent no longer lives in her district.
Where’s your evidence proving such? If she no longer lives in her district, please show us the proof, Paula’s husband.
Look everyone, the puppet master’s mommy showed up!
Ladies and gents, also look up his other charges in Iredell County. It gets a lot worse than just a drug charge! Scary that people like this have been allowed in our schools around OUR children.
I looked but cannot find anything on Micah Elon Phelps. Please point us in the right direction.
Iredell Strong: You should be able to find info at the courthouse in the criminal department for the charges in Iredell County.
You people standing up for Abby Trent are a laugh. She never even campaigned for this job. According to her Mommy, she was way too busy going to school and working in Mommy’s Office to take the time to work for her position. Guess her “Boss” wouldn’t give her any time off.
Now her house is for sale and she’s moved out of the district.
Don’t worry someone will fix it for her.
As for Anita or Mike thinking she’s too conservative for them, hello? Have any of you followed their campaigns??
It is about the kids. That’s what they’ve been trying to tell you. What has Abby done?
Oh look, Ms Thunderdome has shown up to defend herself! The real question is, what have you or Captain Krazy done? Other than follow an already practiced federal holiday?
Now, I am so thankful MGSD is not part of ISS!
@Deb, spoken like a true puppet, led by the master! 🤣🤣🤣 Abby did campaign as well she set up a reading program at NB Mills in Feb this year, which was a great success, also a Field Day at NB Mills, also a great success, for starters. What have the other members done? The question to be answered why attack someone who stepped up to serve her community and is following through? Why not attack those who support funding a $200 million school in a county with a 19% poverty level, constantly make meetings about themselves not the students of Iredell, disrupt school spotlights to again be self absorbed and voted to give a promotion to an underserving staff member who threatened parents with retaliation during covid making herself a medical authority to which she possessed zero credentials to make any decisions, members who try to add more work to teachers already overloaded day and trying to shame them by saying they all should ride buses to see where their kids live(incidentally, the areas outside districts 5 and 7 know their kids and ‘where they live’ fyi its not teachers jobs to raise their students!). Community involvement is needed to assist the lower performing schools not guilting teachers to do more work they for which they will NOT receive compensation! Kubiniec rounded up some volunteers for Constitution day. Why didn’t he initiate a long standing program to get more volunteers consistently into the schools to help? The board battles we’re witnessing are only coming from selfish, egotistical people who want control and have the audacity to add ‘Christian’ to their schemes for justification of their actions, its appalling. What student/school is being helped by this behavior? Last Kurn, Kubinec and their supporters do NOT understand Iredell County as a whole only certain parts ($$) of their districts in Mooresville.
BornandraisedinIredell is the same as person with the initials TL. Lol
Just use your real name Ms. TL.
Didn’t you used to be a M4L and Puppet Master disciple TL?