It took some guts to speak in support of the new Wake County school board majority at Tuesday's meeting.
Of the 48 people who spoke, only 12 praised the new board. Most of the speakers and audience consisted of supporters of current policies who were vocal when they disagreed with speakers.
Russell Capps, president of the Wake County Taxpayers Association, drew jeers when he cited the recent Civitas Institute poll to argue that the the overwhelming majority of parents support the new board's efforts.
Capps told the crowd to stop being disrespectful, saying he hadn't interrupted other speakers.
“I’d appreciate it if you give me a chance to speak,” Capps said.
Later on, Molly Creel talked about how unfair it is that you have to travel into downtown Raleigh to get access to magnet programs. Creel, who lives in Wake Forest, said she has a student attending the magnet program at Ligon MIddle School.
"Why should we have our children have to go downtown?" Creel said. "Why do my children literally have to go to a ghetto where children have to put up with lockdowns, where they are put into rooms with lights out where they are frightened?"
Creel's remarks about going to a ghetto drew loud boos from the crowd, which included a lot of magnet students and their parents.
Creel said the academically gifted coordinators at her children's base schools told her not to send her kids there because they had nothing to offer them.
The closest equivalent negative crowd reaction on the other side occurred when Gary Dismukes, a parent at Leesville Road Elementary, said "the board's stated polices are rooted in the same small-minded and racist polices of the Jim Crow South."
Dismukes' statements drew groans from some in the crowd and an admonition from school board chairman Ron Margiotta to keep his remarks clean.
Comments
Mr. Capps provided the
Wed, 12/16/2009 - 19:18 — DrActualFactualMr. Capps provided the results of the Civitas poll and it was not what the status quo board reps or audience wanted to hear even though it was the truth--residents of the area favor neighborhood schools. They want an improved level of education programming provided to ALL children of Wake county--not just the lucky lotto recipients who would be shocked to see the contrast of their education options vs. the non-magnet school course offerings. The Civitas poll results (after the election) seem to indicate a similar level of support as the Public Policy Poll taken prior to the election. We all owe a great debt of gratitude to Mr. Capps for presenting the truth to a hostile, unreceptive audience.
I'm about as opposite from
Wed, 12/16/2009 - 20:33 — jenmanI'm about as opposite from Mr. Capps as you can get on most political issues but he spoke the truth. And like you said, people didn't want to hear it. I was also very glad to hear him refute user's 'there are powerful people who want to destroy public schools' comment.
I don't bother to look in the N&O archives anymore now that they charge for articles, but wasn't there a poll sponsered by WEP a few years ago that also showed little support for the diversity policy?
More recently, the PPP poll
Wed, 12/16/2009 - 20:51 — CaryCurmudgeonMore recently, the PPP poll sponsored by status-quo supporters showed a unilateral lack of support for busing, across all subgroups. This was solid poll data from busing advocates, yet there are still those that claim the majority of Wake County supports busing. The busing advocates got trounced in the election, yet there are still those that claim the majority of Wake County supports busing. One has to wonder where these naysayers are getting their data.
Has PPP released their poll
Wed, 12/16/2009 - 20:58 — jenmanHas PPP released their poll data from this weekend? Didn't Keung say they were conducting a poll at the same time as Civitas?
I don't think they have
Wed, 12/16/2009 - 21:07 — CaryCurmudgeonI don't think they have released their data yet. Given they are running a push poll (ie. would you rather have your kids bused for diversity, or have nails driven into your head) I don't expect much useful data to come out of it.
How about the N&O publishing an article on these polls
Thu, 12/17/2009 - 10:10 — stacy123Mr. Hui, can you see if these polls are publicly available and publishing the results? Or can the N&O do an "independent" poll? on the other hand - - no offense though, I am not sure if the N&PO would be credible enough to do thier own poll or even sponsor this. How about a poll on those parents who want voluntary vs. mandatory year round or who prefer traditional vs. year-round? This would be great information. Seems I see a lot of claims of the "vocal minority" it does seem like the new board has tremendous support based on this last election and the over-whelming majority of parent support getting rid of wacky wednesdays, mandaotry year round and bussing cross county, focus on education etc.
I blogged about the poll on
Thu, 12/17/2009 - 11:02 — KeungHui (author)I blogged about the poll on Tuesday, including links. I included the link again in this post.
How many nails?
Wed, 12/16/2009 - 21:20 — user12345How many nails?
lol
Wed, 12/16/2009 - 22:44 — loriacgood one
Shine on!
Wed, 12/16/2009 - 17:27 — louiselee44What insight, and what a heartfelt message. Thank you. I'm praying for open minds and open hearts - and a few miracles would be nice too!
Thanks again...
Louise
I can see
Wed, 12/16/2009 - 17:22 — SDR256I can see why those who were unhappy with the board chose to speak with their vote. What I saw was that where supporters of the board were respectful and clapped for the opposition (of which there were many) - those opposed to the board sat silently when those who spoke for the board presented. (or something less respectful, but I don't want to dwell on the negative)There are opportunities to reach hands across the issues, but if only one hand is outstretched it won't work.
And to make it a case of running the gauntlet just scares away more important and just as significant voices - like the less fortunate. I have a good education, a lot of warriors in my background and this still would appear as a scary situation to stand up and speak out in favor of the board. Facing the angry mob is not something for the weak of heart - like the many many just plain old normal parents (many moms preparing for Christmas).
Its the season of peace. It makes me very sad. Any ideas anyone? How can we overcome this as a community? The children are depending on us. And, you know what? I will expand on what Chris Farr said this whole board is full of good people. I have much greater respect even now for sitting through only what I could do last night. I CANNOT imagine doing this all year long. Let's help them help us ALL.
I always heard that you're either part of the solution or your part of the problem. Each of us needs to shine our little candle.