And the letters about Wake County schools just keep coming. Find more on tomorrow’s Editorial and Other Opinion pages. In the meantime, here are more than 20 more.
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March 1982: Wake County Superintendent Dr. Walter Marks proposes a Schools of Choice program of educational options designed to achieve racial balance and efficient utilization of schools. The magnet program begins August 1982.
May 10th, 1982: I am born.
When I was in second grade, my parents chose to send me and my sister to Washington Elementary, a magnet school in downtown Raleigh across the street from the projects.
In second grade, a white mid- to upperclass girl knew the name of those projects: Walnut Terrace.
In second grade, I had my 8-year-old party. I remember two things distinctly. One, my friend asking me: “You are friends with black people?” I had one black friend there. Two, a different friend telling me she wanted to come to my party, but didn’t know whether she could buy me a present. She lived right by the school and rode the green bus, not the pink bus. Speaking of buses, my sister and I rode the bus every day. We loved our 45-minute bus ride.
She “found” me a present, a pair of hoop earrings. I have a picture with me and those earrings. I loved those earrings. In college, in my class Teaching Diverse populations, when I was asked to remember my first experience of diversity, I remembered these memories.
The Wake County school board has voted to end the diversity policy that has been in effect for a long time. Schools will go into neighborhood schools. Each school zone will have a magnet, year-round and traditional option. My husband went to neighborhood schools, and he turned out fine. He went to school with all of his friends in the neighborhood. In second grade, I was friends with all my neighborhood kids as well as kids in North Raleigh, regular Raleigh, downtown and other parts of Cary.
I don’t even live in Raleigh, and it breaks my heart. I don’t even have children, and it still makes me cry. This policy is a little about racism, a little about new people not understanding, but mostly about the future, and me understanding a little more the people who walk into my office every day straight from the projects of downtown Norfolk, and me understanding a little more the importance of Washington Elementary and the old school policy
Wendy Eberhart Cook
Virginia Beach, Va.
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In the aftermath of John Tedesco’s Facebook comments about his position on the Wake Count School Board being the “worst job of my life,” he needs to take a deeper look at his desire to be on the board in the first place.
Nothing aggravates the public, and this Wake resident, more than listening to campaign speeches, ideas and promises of somebody running for any elected office then having that person complain about the workload and struggles of that position. If Tedesco can’t handle long days, deeply thought over debates and highly charged reactions to his wishes for the board, he can always resign and go back to a normal lifestyle.
He needs to start listening to the people and quit complaining about the job he was so hellbent on being elected for.
Mike Keadle
Apex
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As a 1996 graduate of Enloe High School, I am deeply upset by the threat to the Wake County Public School System’s current diversity policy.
It’s clear that none of members of the new School Board, or their supporters, attended school in the South, much less Wake County. Had they attended WCPSS since the 1970s, they would have had benefited from the policy and would support it today.
Please understand that what you may perceive to have worked in other parts of the country will not work in Wake County because of our socioeconomic segregation. While the South, in general, and Wake County, specifically, have taken great strides toward ending racism, both still have a ways to go. Ending the current diversity policy will make our schools more segregated and will negatively affect every child regardless of their socioeconomic standing.
The diversity policy is what Raleigh, its residents and its children need. The policy ensures that socioeconomic segregation does not affect our children or their education and creates world citizens of our students.
Please do not rob our children of the opportunity to become world citizens and learn from other cultures and races, right here in Wake County.
Amy Page Smith
Raleigh
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Over the past weeks, your newspaper has devoted entire pages of news stories, editorials and columns to the Wake schools and the change in its diversity or busing policy.
Not one word have I seen, about last year’s better No Child Left Behind test results for blacks, Hispanics and Economically Disadvantaged children in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school district. I understand Charlotte stopped busing for diversity some years ago to concentrate on educating, rather than busing.
Has anyone considered sending Wake’s 100 best teachers to poorly performing schools rather than busing thousands of children away from poorly performing schools? Excellent teachers would improve school performance; save the state busing money, and all parents would be able to interact with the teachers in their neighborhood. Lifting the Charter School cap is an even better and cheaper solution and would secure us hundreds of millions of dollars in federal Race to the Top grants.
Tom Hauck
Pittsboro
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I admired Debra Goldman’s courage to break from the new Wake County school board members when she said that the proposals to do away with Wake’s diversity policy needed more study. I had hope that she might be the person who could help the new board begin to look at our current educational system from a historical perspective.
Then I read that she is once again on the bulldozer that is planning to level this excellent school system. I have lived in Raleigh since the mid-1970s and have experienced a lot of change over that time. For me, the revitalization of downtown Raleigh has been one of the most positive changes I've seen. It has been a slow but steady process over many years.
One of the things that I attribute the comeback to is the institution of the magnet school program in our downtown, low socioeconomic schools. Those schools have been transformed and bring children from all over Wake County because families not only seek out the special programs and excellent teachers, but also an opportunity for their children to be a part of a diverse community.
Patricia DeBoer
Raleigh
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I am the PTA president at Farmington Woods Elementary School, an International Baccalaureate magnet school. Since the election of the new school board, I have received numerous inquiries from concerned parents about the status of magnet schools and the board majority’s desire to move from the current model of integrated schools to one of neighborhood schools.
I have reached out to Debra Goldman, our board representative, and she has come and answered questions. We appreciate her willingness to talk and listen. Still, the board is having meetings concerning pushing superintendent Del Burns out early because it did not like some comments he made. If they are willing to waste $100,000 to force someone to retire three months early, I question their ability to manage the school system.
Campaign rhetoric is fine for elections. However, our schools have real issues. The bottom line is, are they going to improve our schools? I don’t care what the policy is called if it works.
The previous board saw an end to its tenure because of poor communication and a perceived indifference to concerns. Chairman Ron Margiotta and his majority may find their tenure even shorter if they don’t shift their focus from playing politics to fixing the system.
Greg Puertolas
Cary
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As an outsider I have read with interest many of the vitriolic letters to the editor regarding the action taken by the new Wake County school board, and I take no sides on this local debate. However, I also remember reading about the relatively low voter turnout at the recent election of this school board. Perhaps the most we can learn from this recent war of words is that in this great country it is vital that we all take advantage of our constitutional right to vote in both national and local elections. If we do not, we have little to complain about when the resulting changes do not agree with our own views.
Lawrence I. Gilbert
Chapel Hill
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I don’t know much about the issues before the Wake County school board. Both sides make sense on a few issues. However,informed decisions must be based on the counsel of professionals in public education, not laymen’s opinions derived over cocktails. We simply cannot afford amateurs playing with the public trust.
I would also point out the difference between leadership and bullying, rudeness vs. respect. As a Yankee transplant of 33 years, I can tell you that native North Carolinians have long memories for how things are done. The abrupt “My Way or the Highway” attitude only works for a moment in time. If only for its longterm self interest, the board would do well to remember these factors.
Ric Munz
Wake Forest
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I would like to thank those Wake County Board of Education members elected in October 2009 for making me more active in my community. Thank you for making me ask questions regarding the futures of my children and others attending Wake County Public Schools. In particular, questions concerning your domineering decision to change the current assignment policy.
Was this drastic change in our nationally praised system so those 3 percent of public school students bussed to distant schools can attend a “neighborhood school” Was your forceful action meant to improve the 54 percent graduation rate for low income students? Is it in response to the only 5 percent of registered voters that slipped you into office last fall? Was is it a concerted effort with the Washington, DC-based corporate political advocacy group Americans for Prosperity (which refuses to disclose its funders) and the conservative Civitas Institute?
Whomever your aggressive change in policy is in response to, Wake County citizens require and deserve a policy with valid research, strategic business decisions and sound financial practices. It is your elected duty and responsibility to answer these questions for all people involved, regardless of their political affiliation, neighborhood or financial status before making any changes to the current policy.
Molly Feichter
Raleigh
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The school board majority has addressed its campaign promises and set the wheels in motion to consign the “diversity” policy to the dust heap of history, and sensible people everywhere can breathe a sigh of relief. Like all class warfare stratagems, forced busing for diversity was based upon unproven assumptions about race and class and economics and, like forced collectivization everywhere, was doomed to failure. This of course has not forestalled various true believers, including The N&O editorial board, from gnashing their teeth and rending their garments in anguish.
Now would be a good time to reflect upon the monstrous egos and ill-conceived ideologies that established school busing in the first place. Where in the Constitution is it written that local school boards have the right, not to mention the authority, to misappropriate millions of dollars yearly for the purpose of shipping schoolchildren all over the countryside every day in pursuit of an arbitrary utopian goal?
I know I’m breathing easier, and so are a lot of kids and parents. Thank you very much for your sacrifice and dedication, Wake County school board!
William C. Duncan
Cary
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It has been heartrending to watch the newly elected members of the Wake County school board as they endeavor to dismantle a national model of educational achievement. Clearly an ideologically driven minority can wreak destruction. I say minority because voter turnout in last falls election was less than 12 percent. Barely above 10 percent!
This fall’s state and local elections will decide who is in charge of dealing with unprecedented budget challenges and will also determine who will take the lead in redistricting a role that will affect North Carolina policy for the next decade. We also have a crucial election for U.S. Senate.
One lesson of the Wake schools debacle is clear: vote, vote, vote, vote, vote.
Gretchen Engel
Durham
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Let’s look at the facts on the school board community zone idea. There are no data to support that this idea would be successful. There is no detailed plan on how it would work, how many schools will have to be built, how much taxpayer dollars would be needed. There is no detailed plan on how this would improve graduation rates for disadvantaged kids.
On the other hand, the current magnet and diversity policy has been hailed as a national model. Survey results have shown that majority of parents are satisfied with their current school calendars. And there is ample data showing that creating high poverty schools lead to epic failures.
So, of course, the logical decision is to change all that? That’s how you know it’s ideology driving this school board majority, and not facts. Show us the plan and the details before you vote for drastic, expensive, and illogical change.
Francis de los Reyes III
Cary
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My son goes to the Governor Morehead School for the Blind. (Students go to this public school from all over the state, so it’s very diverse.) I’ve seen letters that claim that putting children of different socioeconomic means together doesn’t have benefits. My son’s experience is different. One classmate, after seeing my son’s achievements, changed high school tracks so his plans could include college. Another classmate asked my son for help with critical thinking. Yes, my kid has known students with behavior problems. And, in the different places we’ve lived, he’s often had to ride the bus nearly an hour each way. He has rarely gone to the closest school. He has made neat friends, gotten a chance to be a good influence and received an excellent education, however.
Wake County is one of those rare places in America that has taken bold steps to provide an equal education for everyone. As a teacher and a citizen, I am proud of it. Growth could be managed better. Resegregating our schools and denying educational opportunities to those with few resources, however, isn’t the right plan.
Shannon Kirk
Cary
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I commend the many Wake County high school students who have been going to the Board of Education meetings and standing for hours. Isn’t this an example of the quality students Wake County is producing?– students who take the time and have the courage to voice their opinions.
I am proud of these young people for showing us how democracy ought to work. Unfortunately, these students, who are the most affected by the board’s decisions, are not being heard. They strongly support using economic status as one category in determining student assignment. Can we listen to their voices?
Aranzazu Lascurain
Raleigh
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The people have spoken. The decision was made in November to elect school board members who supported neighborhood schools. Yet, there is such shock, disappointment and outcry now that these board members are actually implementing the policies that they stood for during their campaigns. Where was the NAACP, Wake Ed Partnership, WRAL’s Jim Goodmon and others at election time? Why aren’t these groups and individuals encouraging and funding measures to encourage and increase voter turnout?
And, yes, I do support the new school board, and I have been an advocate of public education. Several years ago I had to advocate for my own children first and foremost and made the move to private school. I will continue to be concerned and advocate for public education as long as my tax dollars and the majority of tomorrows leaders go there.
Tanya Stockton
Raleigh
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The hue and cry from the WCPSS status quo apologists would almost have us think school board Chairman Ron Margiotta’s singular intemperate comment might somehow be commensurate with the vulgar rant of Curtis Gatewood at the recent board meeting. Or even William Barber’s crass vilification of Margiotta’s Italian heritage by referring to the school board as a “Mafia meeting.” Get a grip, for Pete’s sake.
I know Ron Margiotta as a gentleman of impeccable character. For the very same folks who constantly use the vilest and most repulsive epithets to intentionally demean his and the other board members’ character now to portray themselves as “victims” is beyond outrageous. Clearly, these shrill voices are merely trying to cover the abject failures of the previous school board. Their discredited policies have resulted in the disgraceful graduation rates of low income and disadvantaged students.
Margiotta and the newly elected members are working to bring optimism to all Wake County families that we can, and will, do better.
Keith Weatherly
Apex
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It is easy to predict the future for the Wake schools. The board will hire a Republican, fundamantalist superintendent, they will resegregate the Wake schools, the Civitis Institute will push the board to make schools teach creationism and Art Pope will ante up $5 million for his comrades re-elections.
They will be resoundingly defeated, the superintendent they hired will quickly resign, the new board will hire a new superintendant and, about five years later, the system we had in 2009 will be reinstated. Wanna bet?
Chris David
Raleigh
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Thank you for the March 5 letter “Parents No. 1” for pointing out one of the most important aspects of a child’s education: PARENT INVOLVEMENT!
I would like to take her point even further and propose monthly, mandatory parent school visitation. Each parent/ caregiver must visit, and assist in, his child’s classroom one or two hours a month. The teachers would love the extra help during the day, the children would love the attention, and the parents can see firsthand what is going on in the classroom.
I also propose that we include the business community in this proposal as well. Since there are so many hard working parents who would have to miss a small period of time from work, I propose that employers allow the one to two hours be paid leave. The business community surely wouldn’t object to this small allowance in the name of education, especially after taking such an active role in the last school board election.
Finally, we all know how our society is acronym dependent, so I propose we give this initiative the name HOPE (Help Our Pupils Excel). Of course, I am flexible there! What a small sacrifice for the betterment of our children and community.
Hunt Magee
Raleigh
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I really don’t understand why there is so much continuing drama regarding the Wake County school Board’s decision to proceed with community-based schools. The voters sent a clear message that the majority of people living in Wake County support community-based schools. The school board members are now actually trying to keep the campaign promises they made during the election period. Imagine that. I wish that the people who voted against neighborhood schools would now spend their time and energy doing something positive, such as looking at ways to reduce the drop-out and suspension rates.
Suzanne Magnus
Cary
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If more than 94 percent of the parents who returned a survey are happy with their school, wouldn’t it make more sense to approach the less than 6 percent who are not and address their concerns individually vs. creating an entirely new assignment plan for all? Wouldn’t it make more sense to address the educational needs of the low-performing students at the schools they attend with the teachers who know each individual student best?
Since research and cost comparisons were not asked for, done or provided to the public prior to the diversity vote, it is obvious there is an unspoken motivating factor trumping education of the poor here.
This new board majority needs to be reminded they will be held accountable for the education of all the students – including the poor. Let’s see how concerned they are about them once they create even more high-poverty schools.
As one of the speakers at a recent school board meeting said so eloquently: “Only school boards create high-poverty schools.”
Sarah Go
Raleigh
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Recently, Raleigh’s St. Francis Catholic Community hosted a conversation on the future of WCPSS and what policy serves the common good. We had two speakers from WSCA, in favor of the neighborhood schools concept, and two experienced educators in favor of the diversity policy. About 100 people from the community attended with various points of view. Although the audience members were asked to speak from their hearts, they were respectful of each other’s points of view. People seemed to really hear the concerns of others and patiently shared their concerns. Often the conversation went back to the idea that we needed to work on the best way to serve the greatest number of students of all economic backgrounds.
The calm, respectful response of the panelists and of the audience to this open dialogue is in sharp contrast to what has been going on in other public meetings on this issue Perhaps more churches would be willing to sponsor such forums so that all residents can have the chance to honestly discuss what policy would be best. The solution to truly serve our Wake County students should come from the community. It is possible with patience and perseverance and respect.
Marianne Williams
Raleigh
