Nepotism, Yes or No?

Recently, Former Governor Easley, his wife, Former NC State University Chancellor James Oblingner, and others have been criticized in regard to evidence showing that then Governor Easley and Former Chancellor Oblingner arranged for the creation of a new position at NC State and saw to it that Mrs. Easley was hired for that position. Once word of the collaboration was made public, Mrs. Easley was fired and Chancellor Oblingner resigned.

We have our own version of 'Easleygate' right here in Iredell County. Perhaps we should call it ‘Holligate.’ I am referring to the actions of Dr. Holliday, I-SS Superintendent, and the School Board. With the Board’s cooperation, not only has Dr. Holliday arranged for I-SS to hire his wife, he has recently promoted her to a Central Office Administrative position as K-5 Instructional Facilitator Coordinator. I have questioned this in the past and I question it again. Is this not a violation of the I-SS nepotism policy, which states the following?

In making recommendations for the selection of personnel, the superintendent will give every consideration to conditions which could result in the employment of two members of an immediate family where one member would occupy a position which has influence over the other's employment, promotion, salary or other related management and personnel considerations. No administrative or supervisory personnel will directly supervise a member of his or her immediate family.

In Dr. Holliday’s contract, under Duties, it states that he is the chief executive officer of the Board and is responsible for all student affairs, instructional and curriculum affairs, employment affairs, fiscal affairs, and business affairs. To me, and others, this means that Dr, Holliday has direct supervision over all I-SS employees including his wife. I have also stated that Mrs. Holliday did not meet the qualifications for this administrative position since the job description for the position states that a Master’s Degree is required and Mrs. Holliday does not have a Master’s Degree.

The members of the School Board do not agree with me and even had the local school attorney, Mr. William McMillan ‘investigate’ the matter. In his report to the board, Mr. McMillan stated that Dr. Holliday does not supervise his wife since there are at least two administrative links between him and his wife. Mr. McMillan went on to say that while Mrs. Holliday’s job description does state a preference for a Master’s Degree, it is not listed as an essential prerequisite for the position. You can read Mr. McMillan’s entire statement at the web link below.

Attorney McMillian's Memorandum

At the last Board meeting Dr. Holliday stated that he has directed all Central Office staff to forward any requests from me, for public information, to Mr. Neal Ramee, I-SS attorney in Raleigh. That certainly sounds like direct supervision of all Central Office staff to me. And remember, Mrs. Holliday is now part of that Central Office Staff. Also, several months ago, Dale Ellis, I-SS Assistant Superintendent, sent me a copy of Mrs. Holliday’s job description and that job description clearly states that a Master’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education is required. It says nothing about being preferred. Again, the Board and Dr. Holliday continue to ignore I-SS policy.