School system says thanks to community partners

Did you feel the energy rising on the morning of August 20th? If so, that is because Rowan-Salisbury staff attended an energized pep rally emceed by Kent Bernhardt. The NRHS JROTC presented the colors; Cleveland Elementary student Lark Staley and Erwin Middle student Olivia Kesler performed the National Anthem; JCHS provided the lively jazz band music; and all middle and high school cheerleaders welcomed the staff with cheers and celebration!

Making the event extraordinary were our community businesses that provided approximately $40,000 in gifts. I want to publicly say “thanks” for the following:

• Car for a school year: Gerry Wood Auto Group

• T-shirts for all staff: Gildan & Novant Health Rowan Medical Center

• Four Apple watches & water for staff: Sharonview Credit

• Two diamond rings & one diamond necklace: Debbie Barnhardt’s Jewelers

• Two $100 per month gift cards for 10 months & one $1,000 gift card: Wal-Mart of Salisbury

• Shoes for one year: Ralph Baker’s Shoes

• Expenses covered for a teacher and guest to attend the 2016 NCTIES Conference: Discovery Education

• Two $500 teeth cleaning baskets: Anderson Dental Group

• Four spa days: Salisbury Salon & Spa

• Catered meal for a school staff: LongHorn Steakhouse

• Catered meal for a school staff: Debbie Suggs Catering

• Class field trip to Patterson Farms:

Patterson Farms

• $1,000 reimbursement scholarship:

Rowan County Chamber of Commerce

• $500 wardrobe: Belk of Salisbury

Thanks to Catawba College President Brien Lewis and staff for hosting the pep rally in the college gymnasium.

Thanks to the city fire marshal, Salisbury PD, RCSD, Rescue Squad and SROs for providing security and a safe environment.

On behalf of the Board of Education, I want to thank all partners for helping kick off the best and most extraordinary year for the Rowan-Salisbury Schools. We are on the move!

— Dr. Lynn Moody

Moody is superintendent of the Rowan-Salisbury School System.

Shooting wasn’t racial

How irresponsible is the Salisbury Post to have an article on its front page stating “No retrial for white officer who shot black man.”

Let’s don’t let the facts stand in the way of a story, right? First of all, Jonathon Ferrell wasn’t shot because he was black, and the officer wasn’t acquitted because he was white. When the evidence was presented to the DA’s office, they said there was not enough evidence to prosecute Officer Kerrick. The SBI also came to that conclusion, as did the first grand jury. Roy Cooper’s office stepped in, bowing to political pressure, and the state attorney general’s office pushed until they could get this case to trial knowing all along that the facts did not support a conviction.

This was a tragic event for the officer and Mr. Ferrell and their families. It appears that Mr. Ferrell was a nice guy, a college football player and came from a good family, but he made some bad choices that night that ultimately cost him his life and a good police officer his career. As to the Salisbury Post, stick to the facts and do not make something racial that was not.

— Duke C. Brown Sr.

Salisbury