The Columbus County NAACP and North Carolina Statewide NAACP wants Whiteville School Board Chair Kandle Rogers to resign.
Local NAACP president Curtis Hill said in a press release Monday evening that Rogers should resign after she was convicted of assault on a government official. Court documents said Rogers called Nishawn Pridgen a “nigger” and threatened to have him arrested. Pridgen was putting traffic cones on Madison Street during flooding caused by Hurricane Idalia when Rogers tried to get through the barricade to get to her famnily’s business, Ward’s Grill.
“These actions are not becoming of an official elected to represent our children, and it’s unacceptable for Ms. Rogers to continue to serve in this position,” Hill said in the press release.“An elected official of that stature is not only making decisions about the kids but also who to hire, and we’re concerned given the nature of the crime, race plays a factor in her decisions.”
Rogers was given a 60-day suspended sentence, instructed to perform 20 hours community service, and ordered to pay court costs. Her defense attorney has filed an appeal. A brief examination of similar cases shows the sentence was typical of many convictions for the misdemeanor charge.
Rogers has been the chair of Whiteville City Schools Board of Education since 2020, when she was voted 3-2 by the Board to replace Coleman Barbour. She previously served in the position before Barbour replaced her in December 2016.
State law does not provide for removal of a school board member for a misdemeanor conviction not related to school business.
