We've got more squabbling between Republicans and Democrats about this fall's Wake County school board elections.

In the latest issue of the Elephant Express, Wake County Republican Party Chairwoman Susan Bryant responds today to the Wake County Democratic Party's blast at last week's edition. Democrats had called last week's attack by Bryant as focusing on "two year old debates regarding student assignment" instead of discussing the board majority's record.

"We will stand on our record of the past 2 years – show us yours!" Bryant fired back at Democrats today. "Also, since the Democrats are so eager to move on to other issues, let us remind you:  Not so fast - the work to change the student assignment process is still not done. Here is a lesson for all: If you want quality, you have to finish what you start."

The Wake County Republican Party is invoking "Wacky Wednesdays," school on Memorial Day and "forced busing" to mobilize their supporters in this fall's school board elections.

In this week's issue of the Elephant Express, Wake GOP Chairwoman Susan Bryant argues that the "high ground" for a better education system rests with the Republican majority on the school board. In contrast, Bryant claims that the Democrats "just want to go back to the way things were!"

"Back to Forced Busing, Wacky Wednesdays, Children forced to attend school on Memorial Day," Bryant writes of what she says Democrats would do. "Back to NOT listening to parents!!!"

UPDATE

See end of post for response from the Wake County Democratic Party.

Groups hoping to unseat the Republican majority on the Wake County school board appear to have a substantial early fundraising advantage.

As noted in today's article, the five Democratic school board candidates and the Wake Citizens for Good Government PAC have reported raising more than $85,000 so far. That doesn't include the donations that the Wake County Democratic Party plans to raise as part of its coordinated campaign.

The biggest donors so far are John and Ann Campbell, who've given at least $40,000. That's $32,000 to four school board candidates and $8,000 to Wake Citizens for Good Government.

The Wake County Republican Party is apparently not impressed with the Wake County Democratic Party's "coordinated campaign" for this fall's school board and municipal elections.

In the latest issue of the Elephant Express on Wednesday, Wake GOP Chairwoman Susan Bryant mocks how the Democrats are hiring campaign staff for the election. She also defends Art Pope from the criticism leveled by the Democrats in the announcement about the campaign efforts.

"The Wake County Democrats are loudly trumpeting they’ve hired former Obama staffers to cover their office," Bryant writes. "Paid staffers. Another sad commentary on the Democrat approach to elections. Try to buy them. "

The Wake County Republican Party is praising the GOP majority on the school board, railing against school administration costs and downplaying the significance of per-student spending.

In last week's issue of the Elephant Express, Wake GOP Chairwoman Susan Bryant told her fellow Republicans they "can be proud of your hard work to elect a Republican majority to the Wake County School Board."
 
"The change you made in the board composition has made possible budget cuts in almost all areas without the sacrifice of a single teacher," Bryant writes. "Who would have thought so much waste could exist under the eyes of the previous Democrat-controlled board?"

The Wake County Republican Party is crediting the school board and county commissioners with reducing taxes.

In the latest issue today of the Elephant Express, Wake GOP Chairwoman Susan Bryant praises the Republican majorities on the school board and commissioners. Among the "major accomplishments" she credits both boards with is "reduced taxes for our citizens."

The commissioners haven't lowered taxes. She might have been referring to the GOP majority in the General Assembly that didn't renew the one-cent sales tax increase.

Does the drawn-out vote to elect a new Wake County school board vice chair on Tuesday signal a start to restoring unity among the Republican board members?

That's the hope coming from supporters of the GOP board majority and from at least some of the board members. They're focusing on the hug that outgoing board vice chairwoman Debra Goldman gave to incoming vice chairman John Tedesco after she finally voted for him after 56 rounds of balloting.

"It took a bunch of ballots to accomplish the latter election (of vice chairman), but the pictures on the tv news told the real story as previous chair Debra Goldman and John Tedesco hugged," said Wake County GOP Chairwoman Susan Bryant in Wednesday's issue of the Elephant Express newsletter.  "It’s nice to see the united Republican team in action!  Congratulations to all the Republican School Board members!  Now we need to elect Heather Losurdo this Fall to join this distinguished group!"

For a different view on the state budget than the Democrats on the Wake County school board, let's look at what the Wake County Republican Party is saying.

In this week's issue of the Elephant Express, Wake GOP Chairwoman Susan Bryant defends the General Assembly's budget while ripping into Democrats, Gov. Bev Perdue and The News & Observer.

"This budget is no attack on education," Bryant writes about Perdue's complaints. "The Republican legislature worked very hard and produced a budget that fully funds all teachers and teachers’ assistants — and even adds teachers in Grades 1–3.  They didn’t cut education…they cut the 'temporary sales tax' you put into effect over a year ago."

Wake County Republican Party Chairwoman Susan Bryant is explaining why they won't endorse Jennifer Mansfield in her bid for the school board or any 'pretend' unaffiliateds.

In the GOP's Elephant Express e-newsletter sent out today, Bryant relates the phone conversation she had with Mansfield earlier this year about the party's endorsement in the District 3 race. Bryant said Mansfield told her she was a registered unaffiliated voter who "leaned more to the Democrat Party" and "really felt more comfortable with many Democrat issues" while also being "a strong advocate for neighborhood schools."

Bryant writes that she told Mansfield they "would be happy to consider her if she would change her voter registration" to Republican. But Bryant writes that Mansfield "immediately responded she would not do that, and I thanked her for calling."

The Wake County Republican Party is using an inside the Beltline vs. the suburbs message in its latest call to action for this fall's school board elections.

In the latest issue of the Elephant Express on Tuesday, Wake GOP Chairwoman Susan Bryant says that "this is the time for action." She praises the GOP school board majority, arguing they're making sure that resources and programs don't disproportionately go to Raleigh schools inside the I-440 Beltline.

"They are moving forward with a more equitable distribution of resources and programs across the county – not just inside the beltline," Bryant writes. "They have focused on teachers, students, and quality education."