WINDSOR – The decision to hire a new auditor caused a split among members of the Bertie County Board of Education last week.

During the board’s April 5 gathering, a 3-2 vote chose Kenneth W. Chilcoat as the new auditor for the school district.

Interim Superintendent of Bertie Schools Dr. Will Crawford and Finance Officer Lynn Harrold presented the recommendation to hire Chilcoat.

The two staff members presented the qualifications of Chilcoat, who is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Senior Advisor. He has audited governmental agencies in Beaufort County, Hyde County, the City of Washington, and the Mid-East Council of Government.

He is currently responsible for audits for Hyde County Schools, the towns of Aurora, Bath, Chocowinity, Parmele, Grimesland and Simpson and the Hyde County ABC Board among others.

Board member Pamela Chamblee asked if there were bids from three auditors and Dr. Crawford said two bids were submitted. He added that Harrold knew Chilcoat from the latter having done the audit at Hyde County Schools.

Board Attorney Rod Malone said an auditor did not require three bids, but that the board could enter into a contract with an auditor as they saw fit.

Chamblee said she was skeptical about the contract because the board had relied on recommendations before and “should have thought differently.”

Board member Alton Parker said he didn’t see an issue.

“He has all the credentials,” Parker said.

He then made a motion to accept the contract with Chilcoat, whose office is in Washington. Upon taking the vote, Parker’s motion was supported by board members Emma Johnson and Rickey Freeman. Chairperson Gloria Lee and Chamblee each voted against the measure.

In other business, the board:

• voted to declare a list of items surplus;
• approved the calendar for the Bertie Early College High School for the 2011-12 academic year;
• gave approval to a pair of fund-raising requests;
• recognized two candidates for the North Carolina Governor’s School;
• acknowledged Bertie High senior Thomas Perry for being selected to the East-West game; and
• tabled an agreement with Beti Films.