Considering how much supporters of the diversity policy made Charlotte-Meckkenburg schools a boogeyman during the school board campaign, the new board members arguably are having the last laugh now.

As noted in today's article, the new 2009 state report cards show that Charlotte's black and low-income students are outperforming their peers in Wake on state EOG and EOC exams.

"We're not saying that Charlotte is the right way, but the fact that they're doing better than us shows how poorly we've been doing," said new school board member John Tedesco in the article.

What do the Wake school board elections, Maine's repeal of the same-sex marriage law and the election of Republican governors in Virginia and New Jersey all have in common?

According to state Rep. Paul Stam, they're a sign "voters are squarely focused on core issues affecting their family and their future more than at any time in recent history." The Apex Republican and House Minority Leader linked all these election happenings in the latest blog post on his web site.

If the Forest Ridge High fight is any indication, it's going to be a tumultuous transition for the new school board majority.

As noted in today's article, it doesn't look like the current board is too impressed by the new majority's request that they stop spending any money on Forest Ridge. Outgoing board member Patti Head said the new board members don't have all the information that the current board has on Forest Ridge.

"They're duly elected, but they're not sworn in yet," Head said in the article. "We're still the elected officials."

School board member Keith Sutton is holding a "listening and learning tour."

Sutton, who was appointed to the board in August, said he's doing the tour to provide him "with an opportunity to listen to the issues and concerns of parents and community members, and learn more about ways in which he can effectively represent the constituents of District 4."

Here's the media advisory:

The recession is helping the school system find land for a new elementary school in northwest Raleigh.

The school board voted Tuesday to pay $2.54 million for 30.834 acres at the intersection of Baileywick and Strickland roads. Wake is buying the site from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which is the receiver for the parcel.

According to a 2008 Triangle Business Journal article, a subdivision had been planned there. But the bank foreclosed on the Raleigh real estate investment firm that owned the land.

The new school board majority is flexing its muscles today.

Just one day after Tuesday's election win by John Tedesco, the new board majority sent a letter today urging Wake to immediately stop work on Forest Ridge High. The letter is signed by Tedesco, Chris Malone, Debra Goldman, Deborah Prickett and Ron Margiotta.

The four new board members don't take office until Dec. 1 so it's up to the current board whether to honor the request. The current board and staff have warned that any delays to Forest Ridge High will push back the opening of the school.

Here's the joint letter:

Love it or hate it, Tuesday's election win by John Tedesco capped what's arguably the most important school board contest in the 33 years of the merged school system.

As noted in today's article, there's now a majority in place on the school board that backs neighborhood schools. It's something that even a few years ago wasn't something that most people thought would happen.

"We did it," said new school board member Deborah Prickett. "I can hardly believe it myself. The parents just had enough. The public has spoken."

The Wake GOP is reveling in tonight's election results.

In a press release, the Wake County Republican Party points to wins by school board candidate John Tedesco and other GOP endorsed candidates. The GOP had made it their mission this year to elect a new board majority that would back neighborhood schools.

"The voters responded to our call for fiscal conservatism, personal responsibility, government accountability and support for families and neighborhoods,” Wake County GOP Chairman Claude E. Pope, Jr, said in the press release.

Don't be surprised if you see pictures of school board candidate Cathy Truitt shaking hands with new board member John Tedesco.

Truitt unexpectedly crashed Tedesco's post-election gathering at the Heather Hills clubhouse. Tedesco was looking at the results outside the polling place when he unexpectedly got a start from Truitt, who tapped him from behind.

It appears that any anti-Tedesco effort in District 2 has failed to derail his election.

With nine of the 21 precincts reporting, John Tedesco has 79 percent of the vote. Cathy Truitt has 20 percent. Write-in votes account for 1 percent.

UPDATE

Wth 18 of 21 precincts reporting, Tedesco has 75 percent. Truitt has 24 percent.

With all 21 precincts reporting, Tedesco has 76 percent. Truitt has 23 percent. Tedesco more than doubled his vote total from last month. He got more votes today than were cast for all five candidates last month.