Bob Geary is heartened by the announcement today that Susan Evans will contest Ron Margiotta for the District 8 seat on the Wake County school board.
In a blog post today for the liberal Independent weekly, Geary writes that "Evans' announcement fills a hole for Wake County residents who think the Republican school board majority, led by Margiotta, has harmed rather than helped a very school system since four GOP-backed candidates swept into office following the 2009 elections."
"Margiotta was and continues to be an outspoken proponent of neighborhood schools — for the middle-class neighborhoods of Apex and western Wake County especially," Geary writes. "The fact that poor neighborhoods in East Raleigh and eastern Wake County would be left holding the bag with their "neighborhood schools" has not seemed to concern Margiotta all that much."
Geary says the races in District 8 and District 3 will provide "the real fireworks this year." As for District 3, Geary complains that attorney Kieran Shanahan's redistricting "handiwork only adds to the district's Republican tilt" against incumbent board member Kevin Hill.
"Hill is a popular former principal and teacher who is now on the faculty at N.C. State," Geary writes. "Running against him is a formidable Republican challenger, Heather Losurdo, as well as the unaffiliated Jennifer Mansfield, a critic of past school boards who apparently doesn't want to see the seat go Republican either."
The outcome Geary is hoping for this fall is that Hill, Evans, Jim Martin, Christine Kushner and board member Keith Sutton all win.
"Should Hill win and Evans unseat Margiotta, however, and assuming Sutton, Martin and Kushner also win, control of the board would shift to members who are, I would say, more likely to back Superintendent Tony Tata's push for a middle-ground on student assignments — a pro-diversity AND pro-neighborhoods compromise," Geary writes.
Comments
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Wed, 07/06/2011 - 11:34 — SideburnsEvans has consistently spoken poorly of Western Wake families and their children. She has claimed that because her children attended magnet schools they have a much broader view of the world than their Western Wake neighbors who want to attend the neighborhood schools. She also has said we in Western Wake have a 'narrow view of the world' because we haven't had 'diversity exposure'.
Nice way to get votes, Susan. Keep it up.
Nice smokescreen! :)
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 18:55 — paulastamFolks unhappy with the gang of 5 (and perhaps even General Tata) typically do not take issue with Western Wake families - they are fine folks with wonderfully high performing public schools! The real issue many of us have is with the Republican radicals that are running our public school system and supported by private interests that reveal a conflict of interest, eg. Tedesco previously receiving significant campaign money from a private school owner and Ronnie M being on the Board of Thales Academy - a private school in Apex. (Ronnie left dodge - that Thales private school board- quickly when this dodgy fact came to light!)
Ronnie M has displayed poor decision making that (note he acknowledged that in part just yesterday when he flip flopped on his board being a member of the NC School Boards Association) is focused on creating high poverty low performing schools which will then allow radical reform - his Thales buddy will build private schools in high poverty areas AND better still Broad (Green Dot Schools) and Thales, etc will simply choose to operate for profit charter schools - YES essentially we will have publicly funded private schools (current NC law allows such charter schools to block poor and minority students by not serving lunch and not providing transportation)....so long story short my friends: Ronnie M is acting on behalf of benefactors that believe they can make considerable $/profit if they can dismantle our relatively high performing public school district...
"Sideburns", we have no issue with our Western neighbors - it is the radical character representing part of that region (Apex) that we are worried about: the board's chair (Ronnie M) has an agenda that goes well beyond simply having less kids bused around...
So Sideburns - quit setting smokescreens and trying to make us think there is a West v East battle between fine folks...
Paula
The pot calling the kettle black
Thu, 07/07/2011 - 10:29 — PrivateSchoolDadWith all of the misinformation and generalization in your post. It looks like the pot is calling the kettle black.
You did have one fact correct "relatively high performing public school district" When you are one of the best school districts in a low performing state it is easy to be regarded highly among your peers. The major national recognition WCPSS has consistently received is for its diversity policy. Not the performance of it's students or schools. This national accolades has come from liberals wanting to grow this policy.
What about the private dollars and interests supporting the old policies. You forget to mention their self serving motives. Both sides have motives. The question to ask is the views and policies of the candidates, are they representative of you and those in your district. From Susan's public comments so far, she supports the views and policies of those outside the district and think we that live in Western Wake are unenlightened bumpkins.
From a taxpayer perspective, charter schools are a bargain, because less tax dollars per pupil are used to support them. If you want to grow the traditional public schools, you need to answer the question " Why are people choosing , charter, private, or home schools over the available public schools?" If you can answer that and then make changes to the system then people would choose public schools. Its ironic that you are afraid of them and ignore the fact that people will attend charter schools and private schools which offer NO free transportation, maybe NO lunches, and in the case of private schools charge tuition that is paid in addition to taxes to support the public system.
The public needs to demand better service from the public system to make it stronger, NOT try and limit it's competition so that it is the only option and can remain a system that provides inferior education and services than the public wants for their children.
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Wed, 07/06/2011 - 19:00 — Sideburns"Sideburns", we have no issue with our Western neighbors
Who is "we"? I was speaking of Susan Evans. She believes the families and children of Western Wake have a narrow view of the world because they attend neighborhood schools. She said it -- not me.
If you consider allowing all families choice in education and increased stability is "radical", well, you don't get out much.
Your both wrong
Tue, 07/05/2011 - 21:23 — WhalerCaneIn fact, I bet the two of your criticize Superintendent Tata before either Evans or Hill does. Time for the third way and Super Tata apparently gets it.
Non-extremists needed on Board
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 07:44 — paulastamWe simply need people that are actually concerned with the maintenance and improvement of our local public schools on the WCPSS Board of Education rather than the current gang of 5 that is, for the most part, driven by their political leanings and as a result are trying to overhaul or even dismantle our high performing and nationally recognized public school system.
Paula
Once again, you use a lot of
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 08:40 — woodstockOnce again, you use a lot of words to say nothing. You seem to not really know what you are talking about. Instead of speaking in baseless and nonsensical sound bites, you should look at the facts. Fab 5 successes include:
Also, if you are so interested in Wake County, why are you not a registered voter?
100%
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 17:51 — valspar100% of this list could have been achieved keeping diversity in 6200. Good for our "popular and reform focused superientendent" to demand student achievement rise to the top. Our current board took it out of the 6200 language.
don't forget
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 09:10 — SatchHHthat the new board
*created the very first all new high poverty school (Walnut Creek) - highest poverty in Wake County - school by new board design.
*Contrary to claims of valuing stability - broke the 3-year student assignment plan and moved thousands (mostly high poverty) of students' school assignments not due to any reason other than because certain board members wanted them out of their district (e.g. moving high poverty nodes out of Hilburn, an already underenrolled school - classic example Ms. Prickett's narrow idology)
* Split a node so Mr. Tedesco's neighbors could be moved out of Creech Elementary to a less poor school.
*Removed all references to student achievement from the assignment policy
*Refused to allow condiseration of fiscal implications of new assignment policy
*Sent flawed data analysis (3rd grade stuff) to Office of Civil Rights in response to their claims. Later Mr. Tata had to fix the problem and send a revised report.
*Uses "own" data rather than that of WCPSS staff (per Advance Ed. report)
*Refused to lobby the state legislature for enough money to keep per pupil spending even with last year, instead accepted yet another cut in per pupil funding to keep the Republicans in the legislature happy. = classic ANTI public school advocates.
*At the request of Malone, voted to support the increase in number of charter schools in the state (completely outside of a public school board's jurisdiction and more example of pandering to the pro-charter forces in the legilature). Malone's kids attend Franklin Academy - a charter in North Raleigh
*Riding the tide of years of increasing graduation rates and closing achievement gaps.
* Only NC school board to not be member of NC School Board Assoc. until Tata talked some sense into them.
*Only school board with members spewing anti teacher rhetoric at Tea Parties (Tedesco)
*Hired outside lawyer - highly partisan Republican - to conduct redistricting of school board districts. Paid $10,000 for what could have been done for free with existing staff in a few hours.
*and on and on and on and on.
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Wed, 07/06/2011 - 09:34 — SideburnsKeith Sutton voted in support of every move to fill Walnut Creek. Are you saying he was wrong in allowing the families he represents the ability to attend there -- even though that's what they wanted?
Sutton had noted earlier in the meeting that some Walnut Creek families had attended the community engagement workshops to support being reassigned to the school.
Choice is good -- for all.
LOLOL!! My, my, Satch, you
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 09:33 — woodstockLOLOL!! My, my, Satch, you had to turn your back on any semblance of integrity to come up with that creative load of crap. I'd like to see you sell that story outside your little circle of fellow nutjobs.
You dispute all, Woody?
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 18:04 — valsparWhich ones of Satch's list can you call out as false? Explain your view .
Did Tedesco not move his own node to a less impoverished school? Didn't this board create the high poverty attendance pattern for Walnut Creek, in addition to altering the three year plan, reversing moves that had been in existence for only a year, which removed black and Hispanics from "their" (individual board members') schools?
Satch started a very good list, and it is growing. I believe we're still sitting on some pretty valuable paid for land off Forestville Road and Wake Forest Road, and owe more and more rent at Crossroads. Also, wasn't this board supposed to be in their new digs by February? What's taking so long, the gold plated throne for Ron? How much IS this costing anyway? Why isn't this cost conscious board asking?
Good to see you at least
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 19:42 — woodstockGood to see you at least agree part of the list should be disputed. As for your questions...
Did Tedesco move a node? Nope, the board members did not develop the redistricting plan. They had input -- well, the ones who agreed to participate in the process did -- but they did not determine the lines. And it was approved by the full board, including at least one Democrat I believe.
All the "moves" you mentioned were at parental request, so that is a good thing in my view. The three-year plan was a complete fiasco and in some cases sent students to three different schools during that period. The new board members saw the ridiculousness of it and made common sense adjustments more in-line with the proximity model that the public demanded and that WCPSS is moving forward with. No more long and burdensome bus rides to distant schools. (Can't comment on your racist and insensitive remarks about black and Hispanic students... I have no idea what you are talking about.)
I also don't know what you are talking about concerning Crossroads. As I understand it, it is on schedule... no delays. I also understand the move was made based on staff recommendation -- and data -- to SAVE money. With the struggling real estate market they probably got a sweet deal on a long-term lease. Sounds like a smart move to me.
Oh please
Thu, 07/07/2011 - 15:29 — EBDarcyWhich parents? Not the parents of the students being moved. It was parents wanting someone else's child moved, not their own.
So....
Thu, 07/07/2011 - 16:02 — Bob_SconceYou described moves that undid reassignments that had happened only a year before. To my recollection, that only applied to the Lacy->Stough moves. But, I don't think that had anything to do with keeping all those Lacy kids out of Stough.
How far?
Thu, 07/07/2011 - 18:42 — Dove314How far back does the "undo bad previous reassignments" policy go? If neighborhoods were reassigned in the 1990's and the majority of citizens in that neighborhood are still chafed, would it be a good deed to "fix' those? Should every move that was ever made under Delaney, whether good or bad or indifferent be undone as "bad"? Or is the fix only for those who were reassignment in the last 5 years?
And wasn't stability for children supposed to be the name of the game? Have always thought those moves were just as short-sighted as their predecessors, creating a new generation of "move 3 times in 3 years", this time at the behest of the current board.
You are wrong
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 22:18 — valsparAs usual, you are wrong and confused, (not talking about the board district lines) and as for Tedesco's node it was well documented by video what he did. The board members sat at the table and introduced nodes in their districts to move, circumventing staff, therefore they did draft the plan. Please share what nodes were moved three times in three years in the original three year plan - nevermind - since it did not happen, you cannot. However, there are nodes that have been assigned to three schools in three years thanks to this board, example being students at school A year one, were moved to school B year two in the original plan, and then this board altered the three year plan and moved them to school C in year three. Imagine being in three high schools in four years - this board did that to students. Stating that the majority of students moved out of Apex and Western Wake were Hispanic and Black is not a racist or insensitive statement, it is fact. Whether they were moved BECAUSE of their race would be racist and insensitive, indeed, which I did not say. And as for Crossroads, the original plan was to be in there by last February, so you understand wrong, but from whom do you get your info? Staff did not initiate the study to leave a paid for building and start paying rent somewhere else, staff was told by the board majority to investigate it, and come back with a recommendation to see if it was a viable option. Totally different scenario. Where do you get your info, Woody? Do you think nobody's paying attention? People are paying attention, Woody. Satch, appreciate your keepig tally.
The ridiculous three year
Thu, 07/07/2011 - 07:39 — woodstockThe ridiculous three year plan devised by Dulaney did not mean students were assured a single assigment for those three years. It merely meant families could plan for the pain and know where they would be moved during those three years. And yes indeed, it meant many students would end up at three different schools during that period.
And as for Crossroads, the original plan was to be in there by last February,
You're wrong. That is just not so. But even if it was, what do you want the board to do, go to the new site and start pounding nails and hanging dry wall? You do understand that there is a limit to their responsiblities and that staff and contractors actually perform some work too, right?
Staff did not initiate the study to leave a paid for building and start paying rent somewhere else, staff was told by the board majority to investigate it, and come back with a recommendation to see if it was a viable option.
The current central office location was old and needed expensive updating to keep up with technological needs and the recommendation to make the move was made by the staff to save money and to acquire a more accommodating facility. What is so difficult for you to understand about that?
And...
Thu, 07/07/2011 - 07:44 — paulastamat least Dulaney's plan (while inconveniencing many of us) was laid out for 3 years and provided a degree of certainty versus General Tata's (blue) choice plan which has numerous unknowns and I bet ya will be VERY costly. The proposed choice plan will ultimately mean the Board having to ask county commsioners to raise local taxes to fund it OR slash WCPSS educator positions and local classroom spending...
Paula
at least Dulaney's plan
Thu, 07/07/2011 - 09:21 — CaryCurmudgeonat least Dulaney's plan (while inconveniencing many of us) was laid out for 3 years and provided a degree of certainty
Dulaney's 3-year plan was one of the last straws for Wake County parents, revealing the full extent of social engineering that was being orchestrated in our schools. Degree of certainty? The plan was based on growth assumptions, produced by the same folks who had issued predictions that were off by 50% or more the last few years. And what good is certainty if you don't like the plan? Tell me my kids are going to be reassigned 3 times in 3 years and I'm supposed to feel good about it because I know up front?
The proposed choice plan will ultimately mean the Board having to ask county commsioners to raise local taxes to fund it OR slash WCPSS educator positions and local classroom spending...
Pure speculation. Personally, I don't like the blue plan, nor did I like the Dulaney bus-a-thon. But what will truly drive a tax increase is unmitigated growth that doesn't pay for itself.
LOL You really just have no
Thu, 07/07/2011 - 08:45 — woodstockLOL You really just have no idea how uninformed you appear. Keep up the great work, Sparky.
Crossroads
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 22:50 — Solon77If there was ever a skewed financial presentation, this was it - selling off assets and calling it savings is a real piece of work. Almost a precious as Margiotta claiming credit for buying the land in Apex for less than the 2008 asking price. Let's see - 2008 peak of real estate, 2010 recession real estate values down 30% and Margiotta is paying the 2008 tax value - real shrewd. I have a nice house in North Raleigh that I would love to sell for the tax value.
duplicate
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 18:39 — woodstockduplicate
After Whaler's buddies on the last board
Tue, 07/05/2011 - 22:44 — FSandYOUsent our school system into a downward crashing spiral, with the help of their belligerent, block throwing, tantrum tossing supporters such as this woman, Jim "know it all" Martin and the rest of the outdated thinkers, yes, this Fall could certainly be very detrimental to our community and our schools.
What is the hope of the backwards thinking, all about me groups and individuals like WC here, do they hope to reverse the new assignment plan? For what, so that we can start that freaking process all over again? To do what, have our children sent to another round of different schools? Again? Or to spend another 4,6,8 years waiting on surveys and public bitch sessions to end so that we might move forward under their backasswards mentality?
Yes, I can't wait to see who Whaler supports this year because whoever it is we can all take comfort in this, if this bunch of nothing candidates do as good as the losers he supported last go round we ain't got nothin' to worry about baby.
all about me groups
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 07:50 — stepbystepMargiotta's leading the neighborhood schools crowd is the best and scariest example of a "backward thinking, all about me group." Tata does seem to have tapped into a third way, and already Margiotta is resisting. I hope voters of District 8 will see how expensive and educationally detrimental Margiotta's small-minded and short-sighted plans for our county would be.
LOL too funny. New talking
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 08:44 — woodstockLOL too funny. New talking points are cropping up. Is "third way" perhaps a creation of perennial loser/political consultant, Perry Woods? Good luck with that one.
To Whaler
Tue, 07/05/2011 - 21:54 — valsparI am in line with you, Whaler. The dream team would ensure student achievement stays #1 across the entire county. No wall around Apex.
Anonymous Cowards
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 10:07 — WhalerCaneThere are plenty of anonymous cowards on this Blog who serve up nothing but venom and falsehoods. Appartently their egos believe the world needs to hear what they have to say when in fact they have run almost every thinking person away from this blog. They want to keep this division going.
My point is it will be these extremists and partisan ideoloques who have and will lay into their own guy, Superintendent Tata, before other less extreame voices who are running this year will, including some candidates I do not support.
It is my ferverant hope that the majority of this community can come together and move us past this constant battle on assignment that is undermining our schools, using children as pawns, destroying our national reputation, and hurting our economy, and keep the focus where it belongs, student achievement.
"They want to keep this division going"
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 10:41 — FSandYOUUhh, look in the mirror, you and your buds are the ones that fit that bill.
Mr. ya' know.
I see by you resopnse to
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 10:23 — woodstockI see by your response to "valspar" that you are still on the "anonymous coward" kick, "whalercane." My, those a some very odd real names.
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Tue, 07/05/2011 - 21:57 — SideburnsDoes that include magnet schools?
Mr. Tata has said
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 08:55 — SatchHHThat the magnet schools have been highly effective (and cost effective) and are well worth keeping. Mr. Tata, clearly, is willing to see past anti-magnet propaganda and look at the actual benefits of bringing folks from the suburbs and high SES areas into the low wealth areas of Raleigh. He comes from a district that struggles under the burden of middle class flight and knows first hand the money pit and other challenges that come with high poverty schools (what better example of this than DC - except Detroit maybe). Martiotta and his ilk would do well to pay attention to Tata instead of trying to build a wall to keep "those" folks out of "his" district.
...
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 10:22 — SideburnsMy question was to valspar's comment. "...ensure student achievement stays #1 across the county"? When will that happen at magnet schools?
You know valspar won't
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 11:27 — DrActualFactualYou know valspar won't answer that question. Magnets will be included as part of the solution when _ell freezes over. That is why they fought tooth and nail to get magnets exempted and are now building a coalition of "magnet parent" board members to protect their own personal interests and that of the magnets and for the rest of Wake schools--well those schools/students just don't matter to them. The new candidates are fighting to prolong their enjoyment of the best of Wake at the expense of the rest of us.
Good point. ALL of the
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 11:31 — woodstockGood point. ALL of the announced opposition candidates are current or former magnet parents. They are elitists who greatly enjoy(ed) their privileged status and desperately want to keep it.
Don't go there, two of the
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 11:48 — CaryCurmudgeonDon't go there, two of the community school board members and candidates have their kids in charter schools, and I don't think you're doing them any favors by raising this question.
Huh? Charter schools at
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 14:36 — woodstockHuh? Charter schools at least offer a fair shot at enrollment unlike magnet schools that have more of an elitist selection process... and some folks don't fit the profile and don't have a snowball's chance in hell of getting in.
Elitist Magnets
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 22:56 — Solon77I will be sure to remind my (teacher, policeman, and fireman) friends in Knightdale and Wake Forest that they are elitist.
You do that. And when you
Thu, 07/07/2011 - 15:47 — woodstockYou do that. And when you do, be sure to remind them that their kids are getting access to many advanced courses and electives that most of the other students in WCPSS are denied. Courses and electives paid for by all taxpaying parents but that only their children get access too. Maybe they will recognize their elite status then.
...
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 12:53 — Sideburns??
What does that have to do with magnets?
The implication is that
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 12:59 — CaryCurmudgeonThe implication is that parents with kids in magnets have had extra priveliges that non-magnet parents have not. The same can be posited for charter parents. Not a productive debate, and one that hurts both sides.
...
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 13:29 — SideburnsNot true. Magnets and charters are not comparable in that manner. But you know that.
That's OK. I know why you don't want to start the magnet discussion.
Same reason you don't want
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 13:34 — CaryCurmudgeonSame reason you don't want to start the charter discussion.
...
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 13:39 — SideburnsI'd love a charter discussion. My kids don't attend one but I think it's a great choice for parents. Don't you?
who
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 12:15 — EBDarcyI assume you are referring to Malone? Who is the other?
Bull
Tue, 07/05/2011 - 20:25 — MissVShould Geary's 'dream team' win, they will oust Superintendent Tata, bring back Del Burns, and dismantle all the good that has been sown during the past several months. Who knows: maybe he's also hoping to join the WCPSS PR department.
...
Tue, 07/05/2011 - 20:35 — Sideburns...and Dulaney wouldn't be far behind.
give me a break
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 08:50 — SatchHHYou're spouting nonsense. Tata is in and Geary's dream team would keep it that way (if you think otherwise, you haven't been paying attention at all lately). Delaney is retired and I'm sure would not want to wade back into WCPSS and I doubt Tata would hire him anyway.. This ***mongering is such an indication of where folke like you - Margiotta, Tedesco, Prickett, etc. supporters go with your rhetoric. Give it a break.
Steven King has nothing on
Tue, 07/05/2011 - 21:32 — woodstockSteven King has nothing on you and Miss V; those are chilling thoughts.