New Wake County school board member Deborah Prickett no longer is worried about telling the world that she’s a Republican.
Prickett had been a registered Republican before changing her party status to unaffiliated in November 2007. She said Wedensday she made the change because she felt was it was the “wise decision” to make before starting a new job at the state Department of Public Instruction.
Prickett wouldn't be the first state employee who has felt uncomfortable about being a registered Republican.
Prickett changed her status back to Republican last month. She said she switched back because she felt Republicans were on the “right side” of education issues. She said she was also impressed by all the help the Wake County Republican Party had provided during the election.
Prickett had publicly thanked the GOP when she was sworn in on Dec. 1.
The party change means Republicans hold a 5-4 majority on what Is officially a non-partisan board.
The fact that Prickett wasn't a registered Republican last year initially cost her the Wake County Republican Party's endorsement. The GOP initially endorsed Jerry Ballan. But after he dropped out the GOP backed Prickett.
Prickett's voter status had allowed groups to argue that it wasn't just Republican school board candidates challenging the status quo.
Prickett said she had no plan on running for office when she changed her status in 2007. She reiterated that it was her son's inclusion in the reassignment plan last year that pushed her into the political arena.
Comments
No, you miss the larger point
Mon, 02/15/2010 - 06:52 — nancync"So the fact that both parties spent a lot more time and money in this election than in any prior election meant it was non-partisan?"
The reason more money was spent was because the ire of the voters was up more than any prior election, and there were alternative candidates who "got" what had parents upset.
It became a real race as opposed to past races where complacency and more of the same to choose from was standard fare.
But again, it was the media that brought in the partisan discussion of a supposed non-partisan board. The candidates didn't stump on party position.
"But again, it was the media
Mon, 02/15/2010 - 10:35 — Tony_Lucas"But again, it was the media that brought in the partisan discussion of a supposed non-partisan board. The candidates didn't stump on party position."
I have to disagree with the media bringing in the partisan discussion, at least for District 2. The candidates, if they were seeking the Wake GOP endorsement, had to fill out a form for the committee. The form asked questions like "How would you help the County party Grow in Wake County once you’re elected?", "Are you seeking the Wake GOP's endorsement? If so, then how would you leverage the endorsement?" and other similar questions. The fact that candidates answered these questions made it partisan. I only know of one Republican candidate who did not seek the endorsement of the Wake GOP for the school board race.
BTW, I am a registered Republican.
"Prickett wouldn't be the
Sun, 02/14/2010 - 11:44 — woodstock"Prickett wouldn't be the first state employee who has felt uncomfortable about being a registered Republican."
Government officials and administrators should take note of this. Shouldn't our government acknowledge and respect the fact that there are different views? One must wonder how many individuals were denied employment or advancement opportunties based on their party affilliation. I can certainly understand it being an issue in appointed positions depending on who is in elected office, but party affiliation should have no bearing on the opportunities available to the majority of state employees and job candidates.
The N&O made it partisan
Sun, 02/14/2010 - 09:59 — nancynchttp://www.newsobserver.com/news/counties/wake_county/story/130015.html?storylink=misearch
So the fact that both
Sun, 02/14/2010 - 18:15 — KeungHui (author)So the fact that both parties spent a lot more time and money in this election than in any prior election meant it was non-partisan? Supporters of the new board are acting just like the supporters of the old board before the election. They're reading everything they don't like as a slight.
And let's not forget....
Sun, 02/14/2010 - 00:34 — nancyncThe N&O even states that the school board is supposed to be non-partisan. Who constantly brings up party affiliation? It certainly isn't at the school board meetings, but right here on the N&O.
The transparent bias is crystal clear, not even a thin film covers what is going on here.
Dec 1 BOE meeting minutes
Sun, 02/14/2010 - 09:31 — shank56“This was a non-partisan race but as you know this became fairly political,” Prickett said. “I want to thank (Wake GOP Chairman Claude Pope) and the Wake County Republican Party for stepping up to the plate."
Post above copied from link to another thread. The actual quote from the minutes is:
"I want to thank Claude Pope and the Republican Party for stepping up to the plate. They endorsed me and helped so much in this campaign. They are totally for families in this county. I want to say a big thank you to Claude Pope. The Taxpayers Association is with us here today, we're starting off on the right foot, ...
Nice dodge
Sun, 02/14/2010 - 00:32 — nancync"School board members didn't previously change their political parties while in office. Believe me, if Anne McLaurin changed from Democrat to Republican we'd report it about that too. The only time I've known in the past decade of a person changing political parties is when Tom Oxholm changed from Republican to unaffiliated. But he did that after leaving the school board. "
Except since the campaign, all we have ever read about on the N&O is about the new members political affiliation.
I want you to show me any articles written about political affiliation concerning past board members when they ran. There are none.
It's been a non stop assault and constant mention of political affiliation, brought about by the N&O. The candidates and eventual winners of those elections didn't pronounce their affiliation, the N&O uses it to create the "us vs. them" mentality because the N&O is all about the democratic party.
This was my sixth school
Sun, 02/14/2010 - 09:18 — KeungHui (author)This was my sixth school board election. All sides, including the poltiical parties, agree that they were never as involved in the school board elections before. That's what helped make the election more noteworthy than normal.
The Democratic party got
Sun, 02/14/2010 - 21:43 — ApexterThe Democratic party got pretty involved in the previous election, as well. As a Democratic precinct delegate, I got e-mails from both the local party and some of their pet candidates telling me I HAD to support Eleanor Goettee in the runoff for District 8 because she was running against Curt Stangler who was "an even worse far right Republican than Bill Fletcher." To this day, I cannot support Ed Ridpath for office because he parroted the same letter written by the local Democratic party shill rather instead of making an honest assessment about the candidate himself (or, better still, sticking to his own election, and keeping his nose out of a supposedly nonpartisan school board race.) Not quite the reaction the Democratic party was hoping for, I bet.
Crosswalk Safety
Sun, 02/14/2010 - 12:52 — user12345...http://crosswalkchronicles.blogspot.com/
RALEIGH -- An Athens Drive High School student was seriously injured when she was hit in a crosswalk near the school this morning. The driver of the Jeep involved in the accident, also an Athens Drive High student, has been cited for speeding and failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. Pheobe Miller, 14, of Raleigh was crossing Athens Drive at 7:38 a.m. when she was struck, according to a police report. The Jeep, driven by Lainey Kathryn Childrey, 16, of Cary, was going 35 mph in a 25 mph zone at the time of the accident, according to the report.
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I continued, adjusted traffic cones, picked up trash and took my post in front of the library. At approximately 7:15 a.m., I came to realize there was something going on in the crosswalk. I could see no detail, but there was a car with some type of flashing light and traffic was stopped. I headed toward the crosswalk as I began calling 911. They require the person on-site to be the caller to ensure that the caller may help the victim through pre-arranged first-aid and lifesaving procedures until more qualified first-responders are on-scene. The operator told me that a 911 call had already been placed I hung up and was now close enough to see a tiny body laying in the middle of the street. Without having seen the student, I had an overwhelming sense that it was my daughter. The body size and shape were hers. Then I saw the bomber jacket. She had just gotten it for christmas and she loved it. We've had trouble getting it off of her. My heart sank - I was having to see what no parent should ever have to see and I was having to respond to the situation first as a school administrator and then as a Daddy. Fortunately our Athens Drive Security Officer was there assisting, as well as another Athens parent (Thank you both, we owe you). They had shielded her with umbrellas and were doing their best to keep things under control because she was obviously severely injured. Her leg was bent backwards and to the side at an impossible angle and there was blood on her face, her eye was swollen shut and she had multiple cuts on the right side of her face. Her bomber jacket collar was covered in blood. She was writhing in pain, alternating back and forth between the pain in her leg and her face. I called the Officer Banks, School Resource Officer, and the Front Office, they were both aware of the situation and responding appropriately and professionally. Help was on the way in the form of another Raleigh Police Officer and the Fire and EMT First Responders. OK, so now I can shift into Daddy mode. "Phoebe, Sweetheart, you are going to be OK, help is on the way." I said this mantra over and over again to help both of us stay calm. Not knowing the extent of her injuries, I called my wife at the house. I cannot remember what I actually said other than, get in the car and get to the Athens Drive crosswalk. I didn't honestly know at that point if Phoebe would pull through because I anticipated that she sustained severe head and brain trauma. I wanted Carol to be able to say, "Goodbye" to Phoebe if the situation got worse. I kept repeating the mantra, "Sweetheart, you are going to be OK, help is on the way." It was at this point that I knew Phoebe would eventually be OK.
Dr. Steven Miller, Asst. Principal and Phoebe's father
Sadder Still...
Sat, 02/13/2010 - 13:58 — DrActualFactualthat after decades working as a teacher and counselor the NCAE didn't endorse her. And even more disturbing--that you can only work for the DPI if you are a Dem or Dem platform--so much for diversity (of ideas) in education. The money supplied by either side pretty much goes to offset expenses for signs, robocalls, flyers and postage. Wealthy people can afford to give more money and in this economy thank God they did! The frequent reassignments, MYR, Wacky Wednesday, denied transfers, etc. pretty much added up to a "vote for anybody but them" (status quo candidates) sentiment (who knows--we might have been able to pull out a victory for free.)
"the NCAE didn't endorse
Sat, 02/13/2010 - 14:55 — jeannie84"the NCAE didn't endorse her"
could there be some reason for that? did any of her WCPSS colleagues campaign on her behalf?
Are you joking? The NCAE
Sat, 02/13/2010 - 17:26 — woodstockAre you joking? The NCAE only supports status quo thinking. They are as political an organization as they come.
Yes, they are status quo all
Mon, 02/15/2010 - 00:57 — changewcpssYes, they are status quo all the way. Watching the recent spectacle put on by NCAE I would not want their endorsement.
still, with 20 years of
Sun, 02/14/2010 - 12:28 — jeannie84still, with 20 years of tenure at WCPSS, did any of her colleagues publicly support her?
I honestly don't think that
Sun, 02/14/2010 - 16:06 — jenmanI honestly don't think that any teacher would have been too comfortable publicly supporting ANY candidate who wasn't the 'status-quo' candidate. I can't tell you how many times I've heard teachers say "I know, but I can't say anything'. They are not free to truly express their opinions on WCPSS policies or decisions.
Keung ?
Sun, 02/14/2010 - 15:00 — DrActualFactualDr. June Atkinson attended the swearing in ceremony this year, has she done that in the past? I did meet teachers that worked with Ms. Prickett, I don't know if they worked on her campaign or not. This was my first year at the polls for school board elections and it was pretty uncomfortable. Teachers should definately vote absentee as retired administers are everywhere, the teachers that did come out to vote in person weren't expecting that. Teachers are highly discouraged from commenting on educational issues or school environment. (With the recent exception of PLC's) I have heard administrators tell them, don't take a stance on reassignment, MYR, track assignments, calendar conversions, you name it--they are pretty much forbidden to voice opinions. PTAs are also encouraged to be as impartial as possible. Oddly, several teachers took me aside after voting to specifically point out they were teachers and had voted for the non-status quo candidate as the teachers had felt Wake has lost its focus on education.
It is my understanding that
Sun, 02/14/2010 - 16:03 — woodstockIt is my understanding that Superintendent Atkinson was at the swearing in ceremony at the invitation of Ms. Prickett. That Atkinson accepted the invitation says a lot.
Hmmmmm
Sat, 02/13/2010 - 13:18 — nancyncDid the N&O ever run stories about political affiliation of past board members when they took office?
I don't recall any - anyone else recall any?
No, I didn't think so.
Yellow journalism rears daily...................
School board members didn't
Sat, 02/13/2010 - 14:09 — KeungHui (author)School board members didn't previously change their political parties while in office. Believe me, if Anne McLaurin changed from Democrat to Republican we'd report it about that too. The only time I've known in the past decade of a person changing political parties is when Tom Oxholm changed from Republican to unaffiliated. But he did that after leaving the school board.
It's Quid Pro Quo
Sat, 02/13/2010 - 13:01 — truthBtold"She said she was also impressed by all the help the Wake County Republican Party had provided during the election."
Bought and paid for, now it's time to toe the line little girl and do what Papa Bob Luddy and Uncle Art Pope say. No need to worry about thinking for yourself.
"No need to worry about
Sat, 02/13/2010 - 14:10 — jeannie84"No need to worry about thinking for yourself."
No problem; she doesn't know how.
It's 4-4 with one being an
Sat, 02/13/2010 - 11:19 — red_balloonIt's 4-4 with one being an independent thinker.
Sad
Sat, 02/13/2010 - 11:00 — user12345Truth in advertising? Sad that so much was made of her being an independent...