Americans for Prosperity is taking shots at the state NAACP for questioning Wake County school board chairman Ron Margiotta's lack of a college degree.
At Friday's press conference announcing the complaint filed against Wake, NAACP attorney Al McSurely said "[Margiotta] doesn't even have a college degree" and added that "they've got clowns running this school board." In a press release today, the conservative AFP notes that 74 percent of adults in North Carolina do not have a college degree.
"Does this represent a policy statement from the NAACP that 74 percent of North Carolina citizens are not qualified to run and serve on their local school board?” said state AFP director Dallas Woodhouse in the press release.
"From the statement by NAACP Attorney Al McSurely, it appears the organization believes that no non-degree holders should offer their service to local school boards," Woodhouse adds. "Will the NAACP ask the General Assembly to make this the new law of the land? This would represent an enormous step backwards for millions of citizens across North Carolina of all backgrounds."
Woodhouse says the NAACP should show "more respect from people from different backgrounds and experiences is in order."
McSurely's criticism isn't just limited to the NAACP. Several posters have also took shots at Margiotta, both here on the blog and on the main N&O site, for not having a college degree.
Comments
Exciting news...
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 09:21 — bkittner...from the global economy! Joe the Plumber found a job -- running the largest school district in North Carolina.
Did They Already Replace Del?
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 09:40 — JanisTangoI hadn't heard...did they already replace Del?
The point as I see it
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 22:00 — ksinclairhas nothing to do with Mr. Margiotta's education or lack thereof. And of course, people who have degrees or advanced degrees can be buffoons and idiots. And people who lack degrees can be brilliant. But I don't know if I'd put Mr. Margiotta in the same league as Steven Jobs for that one commonality.
If Mr. Margiotta was really focused on education, which requires great dedication and advance study, and not on assignment issues and serving in leadership for a group committed to reducing taxes and a history of opposing school bonds, his credentials would not be in question. I think it's legitimate to question our leaders' backgrounds and affiliations...it gives insight to who they are and what their motivations are.
Elected leaders
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 22:26 — Duhhuh666Well lets look at other elected leaders, say US Presidents would be a better comparison. 20% of US Presidents did not have a degree. If you can run something as complex as the United States without a degree, overseeing the school board shouldnt be a big deal. There is no educational requirement for elected offices. Citizenship is usually the only requirement, our political system was designed for offices to be held by the citizens. I keep hearing the phrase "Jim Crow" thrown around. To require a BA/BS for elected office would "harken back to the days of Jim Crow" by setting requirements to keep certain people from holding office. Think about it, do we want a government that allows all citizens to hold office or do we want to restrict certain citizens from holding office?
I agree with some of what
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 23:16 — ksinclairI agree with some of what you're saying, but to say educational requirements for serving is "harkening back to Jim Crow" is insulting to those who were discriminated against solely by the color of their skin. No one is saying you can't serve if you don't have a degree. But this is EDUCATION we're talking about. I'm tired of hearing that common sense is always equal to years of study, research and practice. Apply that thinking to lawyers, accountants, engineers, architects, designers, and doctors to see how ridiculous that is. It's not that laymen can't participate or provide good guidance...it's that now so many seem convinced that laymen can totally replace those trained professionals.
This is 2010. Most professionals have degrees. I think teachers and educators are professionals. While there should be no educational requirements for serving, I'd like to see every member of an elected school board with one trait: a passion for education, and a commitment to take our kids as far and as high as they can go. Not a commitment to educating them as cheaply as can possibly be done.
>>Not a commitment to
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 23:38 — JSBinNC>>Not a commitment to educating them as cheaply as can possibly be done.
that's not the BOE. That's the CC. And all the people who will not vote yes to any tax increase to improve education.
Get what you pay for to a certain degree, right? People don't seem to want to pay more. It's not the sole cause of the issues - but it is a key component IMO.
Elected Office
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 23:34 — Duhhuh666I used the 'Jim Crow" analogy because so many people were using it to describe the actions of the board when it did not apply to what they were doing. One of the actions of the 'Jim Crow" era was to impose requirements that were not required (ie literary test ect.) Here we have people saying you should have a degree when you do not. Yes it is the Board of Education, but it is an elected office and does not have an requirement for level of education. So why is it even being discussed? Because people are trying to discredit someone they disagree with. I agree that all members should have a passion for education and a commitment to our children. And I also believe all 9 members of the board do have a passion for education and believe thier ideas are what is best for the children. They just have a difference of how to do this.
Agree!
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 09:45 — JanisTangoBecause people are trying to discredit someone they disagree with.
I'm just wondering what will be the biggest issue next? Debra Goldman wore white shoes after labor day. The status quo supporters have nothing else to bring to the table so they are grasping at straws. I will ask again ....what ideas do people have to help with the educational issues here in WCPSS if they don't agree with the current direction...anyone?
There are BOEs all over this country that have people serving without a college degree. If it was required it would have been stipulated as a requirement to run!
Our public servants
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 23:28 — SDR256Our public servants are 'hired' by the people - voted in to represent the people. The voters of District 8 have long been very happy with Mr. Margiotta. He was voted in again and again - fair and square. He is doing his job well, according to those who voted him in. No other questions need to be asked.
Other than - what sane PhD or doctor who didn't have political aspirations would dare do this hard and dirty and underpaid work of representing the people?
I don't think those with multiple degrees have really lined up from far and wide to jump at this beautiful chance to be drawn and quartered by the media week by week - basically for the recompense of the travel budget to get to the meetings. All those miserable hours arguing for $270 per week? Are you kidding me?
This is for love of community and that's really the key diploma you need to have.
This is ridiculous
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 21:27 — louiselee44Oh for Pete's sake people. Are we really arguing about this??Since we're all sharing stories, here's mine. My great grandmother had a college degree in the 1800's and was a certified geneologist. Her grandson, my father, had no college degree because after a tenure in the Navy, he paid the way for his younger brother to go to college instead. His family couldn't afford to pay for either after the depression wiped them out.
He was smart as a whip, by the way. Do we now delve into Ron's personal history to find out why he didn't go to college? This is absolutely ridiculous!
oops
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 21:01 — louiselee44Keung - check the spelling of "criticism" in the title :^)
Thank you.
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 21:48 — KeungHui (author)Thank you.
Remember when...
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 20:59 — louiselee44The national Superintendent of the Year a few years ago didn't even have a doctorate, and that's quite unusual. No one questioned it however, because citizens were proud that Wake County's Bill McNeal received such an honor. Plus, that was before our county became so splintered and full of venom. What a shame...
Are we seriously reduced to
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 19:53 — Dove314Are we seriously reduced to the level of dismissing the importance of higher education while discussing how to best structure education in Wake County?
Mr. Margiotta has done well by himself without a college degree as has Mr. Jobs and a few others. But the reality is, on average, we would prefer our children to pursue a college degree as it can really help, like starting as a commissioned officer instead of as a private.
This bickering is petty and unconstructive and beneath all of us.
I'm not a board supporter but, for goodness sakes, if Mr. Margiotta is working towards that same goal -- that all the children graduate and work to have the best possible education to prepare them for the future, I don't care if he never got a GED, much less a BA, I care what he proposes to do in the WCPSS.
I agree with you Dove
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 21:01 — Voice_of_Reason_But I think that the main theme is dismissing the strength of the message that he didn't have a degree, like it was a crime. I've had PhD's working for/with me that were not suited to run anything, but their knowledge was invaluable in their subject area. I've also had highly gifted people without degrees working for me that were held back only because they didn't have that piece of paper. I spent most of my life sucessfully working in a job that had nothing to do with my engineering degree. College helped me, because it taught me to think, question, and learn on my own. Ron obviously learned that through the school of life. He seems to have the right skill set and learned well.
Does it get any more funny
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 19:40 — user12345Does it get any more funny than this … AFP will do anything to get their name in the press …? Like Woody sitting behind the podium so, he would be on camera all the time….
How about the headline … AFP criticizes the NAACP for criticizing John Locke for criticizing WEP for criticizing WCT for criticizing Stan for criticizing WCSA for not paying for all the cookies at the reception ….
LOL!
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 22:46 — SDR256HA! Well I did enjoy that one User, and you're right. It has gotten totally ridiculous.
Margiotta is way underqualified!
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 19:32 — JoeTarheelWake county has one of the highest populations of students that WANT to go to college, many to elite level universities, not some 'online U'.
Wouldn't it be nice if our leadership could actually understand what it takes to get into college?
Many of you who 'discount' a degree, don't have one. And you are correct, a 'degree' doesn't always infer success but when we are talking about EDUCATION, one would expect that those making decisions about the direction, curriculum, etc, ACTUALLY HAVE ONE!!
He has been on the board for
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 19:58 — Duhhuh666He has been on the board for almost 7 years, why is this an issued now? The voters who voted for him feels he has the qualifications to serve, a majority of the board feels he is qualified to be the chair. Therefor he is qualified. This is a red herring, next you will say not only a degree but a degree in education. The board is setup to have the public oversee and provide direction from the people to the school administration. The school board open to anyone who wishes to serve regardless of education. I could care less if they graduated from preschool or have 10 PHD's, I care about thier ability to represent the community that gave them the job.
yep...
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 19:57 — whydoihavetoIsn't is just great what all those education degrees have done for us? Public schools that don't work.
let me guess
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 19:54 — red_balloonWouldn't it be nice if our leadership could actually understand what
it takes to get into college?
A bus!
College degree...
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 18:52 — whydoihavetoI've taught at the college level; some of the dumbest people I've ever met were students there. College degrees mean nothing...real world experience and common sense count for a lot. The biggest name in software never graduated from college and he's a billionaire.
Steve Jobs
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 19:15 — Duhhuh666Steve Jobs of Apple fame only completed 1 semester!
I think this may fall under
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 18:09 — carson79I think this may fall under the same category that the supporters used when pro-diversity advocates said Look we are the best in NC. This is one of the most educated counties in the world. I think it is a fact that it is remarkable that this man and leader didn't go to college (did he just not graduate? or did he not go at all?).
I am much younger than him and from a different background - that could explain why I find it out of the ordinary. I wonder if we did a survey of all the BOE's of other metropolitan counties in NC if it would still be out of the ordinary?
If I am being included in the "taking shots" I apologize, I mention it because I find it odd, not because I think people who don't finish college are worthless. To even assert that this is what people mean when they comment on this is spin worthy of Mr. Woodhouse himself.
indeed
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 18:44 — red_balloonit is remarkable...that a county chanced upon this knowledge seven years after the man started to serve on the board. I expect pretty soon we will be down to disqualifying him for his sartorial preferences.
Agree
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 18:56 — Athey01Much ado about nothing.
Yes, I agree that it is
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 18:55 — carson79Yes, I agree that it is strange that this is the first we've heard of it.
I looked up his background and he did study at a college, so this seems like a big fuss over not much. who knows why he didn't finish a degree, sometimes you realize you don't even need one.
Do all the other Board members have a college degree?
Laughable
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 19:20 — Duhhuh666I find it funny that everyone is making an issue out of college degree's of the board members. Remember the only person on the board without a degree has the chairmanship of the board! So with all the Bachlors, Masters and Docorate degrees represented, the one with out a college degree is the leader! I guess it goes to show you leadership and drive matter more than pedigree.
Hey, I don't even know if he
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 19:26 — carson79Hey, I don't even know if he is the only one without a degree! I know that Sutton and Mclaurin, Hill, Prickett, and Morrison all have degrees but don't even know about the rest. As far as I know this is the first time it's been brought up.
I dont really equate having a college degree as "pedigree" though - that would be like Duke/Wake vs. UNCW / ECU.
You may not but everyone
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 23:00 — Duhhuh666You may not but thier are others that are trying to use the lack of a degree to say he isnt qualified. The same people are trying to say Tedesco's views disqualify him from working with troubled children. Its odd that both are doing (and doing a good job) that which they are acused of being unqualified to do.
I don't understand the
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 19:00 — red_balloonI don't understand the obsession with degrees. I am willing to bet the genuises on Wall St have degrees aplenty.
I don't know Margiotta's
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 18:34 — DrActualFactualI don't know Margiotta's personal background but keep in mind that the military "draft" had been around for a long time and wasn't discontinued until perhaps in the 1970's when we went to a volunteer military. It is not out of the ordinary for folks his age to not hold college degrees.