In what can be interpreted as a slap at the Wake County school board majority, Gov. Bev Perdue has awarded one of the state's highest awards to the Rev. William Barber, president of the state NAACP.
As noted in the online article by Anne Blythe, Perdue presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine to Barber on Saturday. He was praised for his work with education and building coalitions to fight for equality.
Much of Barber's recent work has been organizing opposition to the end of the socioeconomic diversity policy in Wake County. Barber, who has been arrested twice at school board meetings, filed the complaint that's leading to a special accreditation review of Wake's high schools.
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is given to North Carolina residents in recognition of a proven record of service or some other special achievement. State employees with more than 30 years of service in North Carolina also get the award.
The recipient receives a certificate and the privilege of proposing, at any time, the North Carolina Toast.
As of 2009, more than 13,600 people had received the award, roughly half under the terms of Govs. Jim Hunt and Mike Easley.
This isn't the first time that Perdue has honored Barber.
In June, Perdue told the N.C. Black Legislative Caucus she applauded every single thing Barber is doing. Also at that meeting, Perdue declared that North Carolina is in a "war" over school resegregation.
Perdue has been steadily increasing her criticism of the new Wake school board majority. Among her other recent actions was to sign a law creating a legislative study commission on school diversity that has largely been seen as being targeted at Wake.
Comments
Shame on you, Gov. Perdue
Mon, 08/23/2010 - 18:53 — suezq12Well bless your heart! Bestowing honors to Rev. William Barber for his “work” with the Wake County School Board. Someone who has been arrested, twice, for obstructive and disorderly conduct, sends exactly what kind of message to the students of Wake County? Now let’s get this right, if you disagree with a policy the best form of action one can take is to lead others, including people who do not live in the county, into shouting matches and protests. Followed by disrupting activities including, yelling insults, holding obnoxious signs, claiming racism and pretending it’s the 1960’s all over again. So for all that effort, you receive the State’s gratitude? Once again its symbolism over substance and in reality has not accomplished anything positive toward helping any students. A better lesson for these impressionable young minds would be to witness examples of adults actually behaving like adults. Why not apply all this excessive energy into helping the perceived disadvantaged by setting up extra-curricular classes, tutoring in math, science and reading? The actions of the governor also insult the voters of Wake who put the current school board in place. Once again Democrats intentionally choose to ignore the voice of the people. Still using that same old, worn out playbook? Nice example, Governor. What a wonderful teaching moment for all of us!
How does that song go?
Mon, 08/23/2010 - 08:20 — willynillyHow does that song go? Hitch your wagon to a falling star? Now, who is the wagon and who is the falling star?
The Long Leaf Pine
Mon, 08/23/2010 - 07:15 — RMC10An unpopular Governor Perdue giving The Long Leaf Pine to Rev. Barber - parts of the state/county problems- honoring each other.
Jealousy
Mon, 08/23/2010 - 00:27 — jgegbgmgLooks like there's a lot of jealousy among the supporters of the Board majority. I guess you think Margiotta or Tedesco deserved the award since they are doing such a great job of destroying an outstanding school district. As the saying goes "the best has yet to come". Can't wait to see Margiotta and Tedesco explain themselve in court - Margiotta might want to look out for the animals as they have escaped from their cages again !!!!!! He would probably be better off back in Jersey where he belongs !!!!!!
First, data suggests this
Mon, 08/23/2010 - 08:16 — willynillyFirst, data suggests this school system is less than outstanding. When Great Schools names Raleigh as #1 with a 58 as grade? Hmmmmm
The board is not being called into court. That is quite alarmist and not very productive. An accreditation committee is investigating allegations made by a segment of Wake County. The fact is that the investigation could land on either side of the fence. It just as likely that the committe will find nothing wrong.
What are the numbers that you can identify as proof that the system is being destroyed? Much of what the new board has in mind has yet to be implemented. On the contrary, the scores are up as per the most recent reports. Now if you think the scores are going to go down then by all means let's determine who will be a murderer and let's lock those people up now.
I have to agree with the other post on the blog. On one hand I feel that there has to be better and more constructive dialogue. On the other hand I see the need for a place to vent. I think venting here is a much better use of time tha, say, going to the board meetings and plopping down in a seat and refusing to leave.
Nerve
Mon, 08/23/2010 - 23:23 — jgegbgmgSorry I struck a nerve with you willynilly - Why is it you guys continue to defend the board majority? If you think they are right then you shouldn't have to respond to messages against them - Guess you too are concerned that they don't really have the answers !!!!!!
Struck a nerve? Well, I
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 06:56 — willynillyStruck a nerve? Well, I see that you did not address any assertions I made. Agree or disagree. I do not have to defend an elected group. I simply stated a few facts and you chose to ignore those and address my "nerve." Congratulations to you.
I'm still trying to figure
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 08:12 — HJ2ss2I'm still trying to figure out why jgebmg thought he/she "struck a nerve". Given the content of his/her post, I think he/she was trying to be oppositional but I found your response to be logical and devoid of drama.
Hm...
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 07:31 — Bob_Sconcejgebmg is clearly a troll. Like all of them, he (she?) will go away if unfed.
The attitude that
Mon, 08/23/2010 - 03:55 — HJ2ss2The attitude that perpetuates the problem.
Question
Mon, 08/23/2010 - 08:04 — Dove314I asked this the other day -- is there another forum that has a more constructive focus and discussion on ways to improve student achievement in WCPSS? Where ideas can be discussed without immediately being dismissed because of personal bias about where it came from? As someone who works in the education arena, I'm hoping you may know of a place.
The repetitive dialogue on the same topics over and over, the attitudes, the political rhetoric, the pejoratives, and the pointless name calling posted here are destructive and unhelpful.
Hi. Noticed you haven't
Mon, 08/23/2010 - 12:35 — HJ2ss2Hi. Noticed you haven't posted much. I figured you took a break from the hostility. I am unaware of any solution focused blogs. Looks like Mr. Sconce has some suggestions.
I am no longer working in education. The reaction to suggestions in this blog are not much different than reactions to suggestions when I worked in the schools. I recall a department meeting with numerous complaints from staff about feeling "burned out and stressed". Upon mentioning that there are ways to handle matters and avoid feeling stressed, the dept. head responded with his usual empty smile then went on with the meeting, never once coming back to handling stress on the job.
You might...
Mon, 08/23/2010 - 10:26 — Bob_SconceFind useful information at some of these:
http://oedb.org/library/features/top-100-education-blogs
This blog is actually much better than a lot of others, but it has certainly gotten a lot more spiteful since the election. I'm hoping that once school starts up, we won't see quite as many childish accusations (not trying to point out any particular person.)
Thanks
Mon, 08/23/2010 - 16:19 — Dove314Looking at them now. Appreciate the pointer.
Does anyone know where the economically disadv. task force meets this week?
Washington Elementary School
Mon, 08/23/2010 - 16:48 — KeungHui (author)Washington Elementary School at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
You're welcomed to contact the board minority
Mon, 08/23/2010 - 08:08 — g88ky07and see what you accomplish there.
Aren't you sweet. <sarcasm>
Mon, 08/23/2010 - 10:18 — Dove314Why do that? At this point, all 9 of them count as a dysfunctional mess.
But hey, knock yourself out with the petty comments if it helps you get through the day.
In what can be interpreted
Sun, 08/22/2010 - 22:56 — CaryCurmudgeonIn what can be interpreted as a slap at the Wake County school board majority
This isn't just a slap in the face to the board majority, it is a slap in to the voters of Wake County. This guy has dedicated himself to making the school board that WE elected fall.
...
Sun, 08/22/2010 - 21:31 — SideburnsFunny...
http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/and_his_little_dog_too
Mr Hui is next
Sun, 08/22/2010 - 20:35 — PACK_MIKE77Don't be surprised if Mr. Hui is the next recipient of the Long Leaf Pine.
Pack_mike77
Sun, 08/22/2010 - 20:33 — PACK_MIKE77So what, Al Gore and Barrack Obama got Nobel Peace Prizes.