Is the rest of the nation watching this fall's Wake County school board elections?

As noted in today's article, that's an assertion made by state Rep. Paul Stam, the House Majority Leader, in explaining why he's endorsing school board chairman Ron Margiotta in his re-election bid in District 8.

"I support Ron Margiotta because this election represents a national litmus test in education reform," Stam said in an invitation to a July 14 fundraiser for Margiotta. "From the New York Times to the Washington Post, the Wake County School board elections will be analyzed on a national scale."

Wake County Superintendent Tony Tata could face his roughest grilling yet when he meets Thursday night with the teenagers from NC HEAT.

Tata had agreed to meet with NC HEAT when several members protested outside his appearance at the Wake County Taxpayers Association meeting in January. NC HEAT has been hardcore in its protests against the end of the diversity policy, with some of its members being arrested at board meetings.

"It was disappointing to us that Mr. Tata decided his first visit with the community would be with the Wake County Taxpayers Association, we felt this sent a very unfortunate and partisan message," said Monserrat Alvarez, co-chair of NC HEAT, in a press release posted today by Bob Geary on his blog for the Independent. "We asked Tata to meet with us as well, and he agreed so we are looking forward to hearing his responses to our concerns, not just the concerns of the wealthy members of our community."

UPDATE

Fliers promoting Saturday's NC HEAT protest are being handed out by audience members at Tuesday's school board meeting.

New Wake County Superintendent Tony Tata will mark his first day on the job with a visit this morning to Enloe High School to meet with teachers, staff and students.

The visit to Enloe will put Tata right into the hotbed of opposition to eliminating the diversity policy. Tata met some Enloe students for the first time when they were among the protesters who gathered outside the Barbecue Lodge when he spoke to the Wake County Taxpayers Association meeting earlier this month.

In the afternoon, Tata will visit Carnage Middle School and Aversboro Elementary School.

Whether supporters of the diversity policy will support Tata now that he's officially on the job remains to be seen. During the reassignment hearings this month, people were still ripping into both the search process and Tata himself.

UPDATE

Click here to view the online story.

New Wake County Superintendent Anthony Tata is sidestepping giving his opinion on busing for diversity while trying to reach out to supporters of the old diversity policy.

As noted in today's article by Thomas Goldsmith, Tata said he met yesterday with representatives of the Wake Education Partnership and Wake NCAE. Tata spoke with the N.C. HEAT protesters who picketed outside last night's Wake County Taxpayers Association meeting at the Barbecue Lodge,

This morning, Tata met with the Wake County Mayors Association. While he got a warm reception from Apex Mayor Keith Weatherly, it was cooler but polite from Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker.

How about playing a game of where's Tata instead of where's Waldo?

As noted in today's article by Thomas Goldsmith, Wake County school board chairman Ron Margiotta is not releasing new Superintendent Anthony Tata's full schedule even though media outlets requested it under the public records law. Only bits and pieces are being provided.

What's not being provided is the names of the elected officials who Margiotta says will be meeting with Tata.

New Wake County Superintendent Anthony Tata will get a "welcoming party" from some of the same protesters who've targeted school board meetings over the past year.

As noted in today's article, protesters plan to be outside the Barbecue Lodge on Thursday night when Tata speaks to the Wake County Taxpayers Association during his tour of the area. The organizers for the event's Facebook page are Monserrat Alvarez, a leader of N.C. HEAT; and Seth Keel, a Middle Creek High teen arrested earlier this year at a school board meeting.

"Anthony Tata was named the new Superintendent of the WCPSS," says the event website. "Join us as we voice our opposition to this decision at his first public appearance in which he meets with the conservative group: Wake County Taxpayers Association."

You still might have a chance to line up a visit this week with new Wake County Superintendent Anthony Tata.

As noted in Friday's article by Thomas Goldsmith, Tata will speak with the Wake County Taxpayers Association while he's in town this week. But school board chairman Ron Margiotta, who is organizing Tata's itinerary, said today that he's nowhere near completing the schedule for the rest of the Thursday and Friday trip.

"We're trying to reach out to elected officials, to the (Greater Raleigh) Chamber (of Commerce), to Wake Ed(ucation) Partnership...," Margiotta said.

UPDATE

Simmons also said they'll also help out with the Jan. 14 reception for Tata that's being sponsored by the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce.

The Wake County school board majority is getting some online love to counter opposition from backers of the old diversity policy.

Local conservative activist Judy Keener started Monday an online "petition of appreciation" for the school board that thanks them for putting up with "relentless and unfair attacks & pressure." Among other things, the petition thanks the board for "keeping your word," "providing ALL FAMILIES choice in education,” "recognizing the importance of FAMILIES” and "willingness to abandon failed policies and practices.”

"Please keep up the good work," according to the petition. "Do not get discouraged. Remember that we support you and are deeply grateful."

CORRECTION

The petition website originally mistakenly listed the Wake County Taxpayers Association as being the creator. It was created by Judy Keener. The WCTA is only encouraging people to sign the petition.

The Wake County school board would make a statement if it chose a non-educator to become superintendent.

As noted in today's article, policy revisions recommended by the school board's policy committee would take advantage of changes adopted by the General Assembly in 2001 to allow non-educators to become superintendents. But few school districts in the state have taken advantage of the change.

Guilford County Superintendent Maurice Green was about the only non-educator to come to mind for people. Green was Charlotte-Mecklenburg's in-house lawyer and later deputy superintendent before becoming superintendent.

Ann Denlinger, president of the Wake Education Partnership, is speaking out about Del Burns' resignation as Wake County schools superintendent and the upcoming search for his replacement.

Denlinger was interviewed by Chris Fitzsimon, executive director of the liberal N.C. Policy Watch, for this Sunday's broadcast of "News and Views." According to N.C. Policy Watch's Progressive Pulse blog, Denlinger says it’s clear to her that Burns “fell on his sword” to take a stand against those who hope to end the school system’s socioeconomic diversity policy.

You can watch online a preview of her interview where she talks about why Wake should pick an educator to be superintendent over a businessman.