Former Wake County Superintendent Del Burns is reflecting on the recent school board elections and the purpose of public schools "to preserve our democratic republic."
In an op-ed piece today, Burns writes about the lessons he learned during his 36 years working in Wake. He also writes about how school board elections are about resolving public values conflicts.
"The current Wake County Board of Education owes much to the previous board," Burns writes. "The new board that will be seated on Dec. 6 will owe much to the current board. It is my hope that as the newly elected board takes office its members will focus not on winning or losing, and that they will move from campaigning to governing, focusing on the purpose of public schools."
Burns, who donated money to Kevin Hill during the campaign, is the co-author of the new book "Preserving the Public in Public Schools: Visions, Values, Conflicts, and Choices."
Comments
Just a snippet from the
Wed, 11/23/2011 - 16:33 — virginiadareJust a snippet from the prologue of the book about the first board meeting of the mythical Crestwich BOE after the election:
"The election campaign had pitted supporters of a district-wide policy promoting socioeconomic diversity in all schools against supporters of a return to neighborhood schools. The swearing-in ceremony marked the beginning of a new era in the history of the Crestwich Public School System."
...
"Everyone in attendance realized that the four new members joined the now-longest serving member of the nine-member board to form a new five-member majority. Most everyone in attendance anticipated that the new majority would use this first meeting to plant its flag in the boardroom. But few of those in attendance--not the chair, not the four minority board members, not the superintendent, not the staff, and certainly not the public at large--had any inkling that the swearing-in ceremony and reception were only a prelude to a seismic shift about to unfold when the board meeting resumed."
Sound familiar at all? Should be an interesting book!
...
Wed, 11/23/2011 - 21:42 — SideburnsDoes it have pictures?
Sounds a ittle
Wed, 11/23/2011 - 19:35 — loriacSounds a little 'over-written' (the only word that comes to mind after reading the short excerpt). Let us know if he gives a definition of healthy school, or what he was thinking he first read the SAS report.
Interesting? NOT. I would
Wed, 11/23/2011 - 18:26 — starsonoursInteresting? NOT. I would rather read the manual to my blue ray player (the section written in Chinese) than read something from Del Burns. My my what was old is new again, welcome to the past it is now the future....