06/25/2025
BREAKING NEWS: Pearson Mayor Robert Johnson announces that the city has cut off water service at "select locations" for the Atkinson County School System due to a bill dispute.
The Citizen will have more details on this in the next print edition of the newspaper.
Office of the Mayor – City of Pearson
Public Statement Regarding Water Service to Atkinson County Board of Education
Date: 06/25/2025
The Office of the Mayor of the City of Pearson is issuing this statement to clarify recent actions taken regarding the Atkinson County Board of Education’s water service.
Despite numerous attempts over several months to reach a resolution, the Atkinson County School System has failed to pay its water utility bills in full and is currently over $9,000 delinquent. In response, the City has made the difficult decision to discontinue water service at select locations operated by the Board of Education.
In an effort to avoid this outcome, the City Council met with Superintendent Dr. Wilbanks at City Hall several months ago and agreed to allow the school system to make monthly payments of $4,500 until the start of the new fiscal year, thereby giving the school board time to adjust its budget accordingly. Dr. Wilbanks, however, unilaterally determined that the school system would only remit $3,200 monthly and has claimed that the City Council approved this amount during a meeting on February 27. This claim is inaccurate, as no official meeting regular, special, or called was held on that date, nor was any formal action taken by the council to approve such a figure.
Out of respect for the students and to avoid disruption to their education, the City refrained from turning off water service while school was in session. Numerous notices were sent to the Board of Education, but these were disregarded. Additionally, Dr. Wilbanks declined to meet with city leadership, stating she would not do so until a formal mayor was established, despite Mayor Robert Johnson having been duly appointed.
After reviewing the school system’s usage and billing history, the City Council voted during its regular May session to establish a flat monthly rate of $6,200, still providing the school system with a discount of over $3,000 compared to actual usage. Despite being notified of this adjustment, the Board of Education continued to remit only $3,200, prompting the current enforcement action.
The City of Pearson values its partnership with local institutions, particularly those that serve our children. However, the superintendent’s continued refusal to collaborate in good faith and acknowledge the authority and good will of the City Council and Mayor’s Office leaves us with no alternative. This action is a necessary step prior to pursuing formal legal remedies.
We remain open to constructive dialogue and resolution but expect the same level of responsibility and mutual respect from our public partners that our citizens uphold daily.
Mayor Robert Johnson
City of Pearson
