The school board will soon have to determine a procedure for naming a replacement for Rosa Gill, who was tapped by the leadership of the Wake County Democratic Party to fill a vacancy in the state House.

Board policy is rather brief on the process. The policy just says that the board needs to pick a replacement who is from that person's voting district to fill out the rest of the term.

But the board could go with the process that was used in 2001 when the last time a vacancy opened up.

The executive committee of the Wake County Democratic Party has named Rosa Gill to fill the state House seat being vacated by Dan Blue.

Gill narrowly defeated Bernard Allen Jr. this evening, picking up 21 votes, one more than needed. Gov. Bev Perdue still needs to appoint Gill but under state law she has to take the Democratic Party's choice because Blue is from that party.

The school board will now have to pick a replacement for Gill's District 4 seat, which covers Southeast Raleigh. The other eight members will appoint a replacement to finish out Gill's term, which expires November 2011.

We'll find out tonight whether Rosa Gill will be leaving the school board for a seat on the General Assembly.

The leadership of the Wake County Democratic Party will meet at 6 p.m. to fill Dan Blue's District 33 seat on the state House of Representatives. Gill was among five candidates who lobbied for the job at a community forum on Saturday.

If Gill gets picked, the other eight school board members will appoint a person to complete Gill's term, which runs through November 2011. 

Does a teacher who works at a high-poverty Wake school deserve more pay than one who works at a more affluent school, such as one in Morrisville?

That's the point argued by school board member Lori Millberg at Tuesday's discussion about whether to apply for a federal grant to offer merit pay at high-poverty schools.

Millberg's point drew some heated responses.

The age of school board chairwoman Rosa Gill may hurt her bid for higher office.

Gill, 65, wants to fill the state House seat being vacated by Dan Blue. She's one of four announced candidates who will speak at a forum Saturday sponsored by the Raleigh-Wake Citizens Association.

From the RWCA's press release, you get an idea they're looking for a young candidate.

This is not a great time to be involved in the school district's construction program.

As noted in today's article, the school board voted Tuesday to lay off eight employees whose jobs are funded at least in part by the capital improvement program. Wake is also eliminating 14 vacant positions that are also funded by CIP dollars.

"Tough times and tough decisions," said school board chairwoman Rosa Gill before the vote. "We all understand that."

A decision that the school board didn't make this week could have ramifications on who will be its new leader.

The board didn't back Lori Millberg's request on Tuesday to move up the annual election of board chair and vice chair from June 16 to June 2. Board policy sets the election for the second meeting of June but Millberg said she was going to be out of town then.

With the meeting still scheduled for June 16, it could make it easier for Kevin Hill to become the new chairman. There's also speculation that Beverley Clark will seek the post.

Does the fact that Wake can't get every school under 40 percent F&R mean teacher merit pay is warranted?

As noted in today's article, that was a point raised Tuesday by school board member Eleanor Goettee. It was echoed by board member Lori Millberg, who noted how she has many schools above 40 percent in her district.

"We have some schools that just can't get below 40 percent free and reduced lunch," Goettee said. "We are being negligent if we don't look for money to address needs in these high needs schools."

Stimulus money and differentiated teacher pay dominated today's finance committee meeting.

School board members heard about how the district will use $31 million in stimulus money. The feds are requiring the money to be used for Title I and special education.

Staff says it will save or create at least 97 jobs.

Neighborhood schools, year-round schools and reassignment took up a good chunk of the discussion at Monday's forum in Cary.

As noted in today's article, critics pressed the two speakers for their positions on the contentious issues in the district. They were willing to oblige, but with some trepidation.

Amy Holcombe, executive director for talent development for Guiford County Schools, told the crowd that her palms were sweating as she was about to give her "politically incorrect answer."

SEE UPDATE AT END OF POST