Wake County Superintendent Del Burns will be honored today for his many years of service to the school system.
But don't expect the celebration to be held by the school board, whose new majority put Burns on paid leave for the complaints he made about them during media interviews. Instead, a group of former school board members will be hosting a celebratory dinner tonight for Burns.
"This is the proper thing to do," said former school board member Patti Head, who organized tonight's celebration. "This is a celebration."
Head praised Burns for his service to the children during a career that began in Wake in 1976. Except for brief stints in the private sector and in other school systems, Burns has spent most of his career in Wake.
Head is among the former school board members who've voiced concerns about the new majority's elimination of the socioeconomic diversity policy.
It was those complaints about ending the diversity policy and allegations of the new majority engaging in partisanship that led Burns to be put on paid leave on March 9. Burns will remain on leave through his June 30 resignation date.
Burns had been available the past few months to consult with the board and Interim Superintendent Donna Hargens. But he wasn't given any duties so he's spent a lot of time at the beach.
Comments
Celebration!?!? YES, it
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 18:03 — aquaman4life68Celebration!?!? YES, it is...it is to celebrate THE END of Burns in WCPSS along with Mrs. Head as well. Let all the crooks gather together and celebrate the misfortunes they put on families, schools and let's not forget the teachers.
Dr Burns has spent over 30 years as an educator.
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 19:25 — Athey01If someone was to compare the impact of his life's work to yours, I'm unsure if you would measure up.
Disagree with his beliefs, but to call him a crook, is a reflection of your character. You seems like an intelligent person, but this crosses the line, imo.
Hmm
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 21:58 — Bob_SconceUnfortunately, the best intentions directed in the wrong direction can often do just as much harm as the worst intentions.
It's a shame -- he was probably a great special ed teacher.
You guys make it sound like
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 22:19 — danofncYou guys make it sound like we all live in Halifax County.
I'm afraid we might find out if your first sentence is true. I am not 100% convinced that Margiotta has the best intentions.
A lot of people could put
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 21:39 — woodstockA lot of people could put their life's work up against Burn's. He is not an evil man, but he is also not a very accomplished one. Unfortunately, he was perfectly fine with seeing literally thousands and thousands of ED students go off into the world year after year without the skills and credentials they needed to find success, while at the same time he forced thousands and thousands of other students -- and their families -- to carry the burdens necessary to hide that fact. He was okay with business as usual. That is nothing to celebrate...and not much to measure up to.
You're wrong
Wed, 06/09/2010 - 07:04 — stepbystepyou're wrong as usual.
Grad rates for many student
Wed, 06/09/2010 - 07:18 — woodstockGrad rates for many student subgroups have steadily declined under Burns' reign of mediocrity and the burdens on others to hide that fact increased. What specifically am I wrong about?
but he is consistent
Wed, 06/09/2010 - 07:13 — Athey01You're never surprised by his viewpoint... which is comforting, in a strange way.
I agree. An unbelievable
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 20:58 — zandeI agree. An unbelievable show of total disrespect.
Respect is earned.
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 21:40 — woodstockRespect is earned.
All I can say is , "Things
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 11:33 — HJ2ss2All I can say is , "Things are not always as they appear".
There was a lot of deceit and deception in his administration. Those who were unaware or not affected by it are fortunate.
Question
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 11:37 — Dove314Were things as bad, in your experience, under Bill McNeal?
past superintendents
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 19:34 — momsateacherMarks - I wasn't really paying attention. Bridges, Wentz - effective leadership. Surratt - so short, who remembers? McNeal - great leadership, but maybe flying high on the coattails of an economic growth boom? Burns - worst I have ever experienced.
Thanks as well
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 22:33 — Dove314It seems like a classic version of the Peter Principle but silencing of dispute and not hearing all sides fairly is a hallmark of poor management.
Based on my experience, many
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 12:50 — HJ2ss2Based on my experience, many of the same problems existed in the system but I was unaware of staff being afraid to express their opinions for fear of retaliation. I suspect this climate comes from the top.
I never heard of or experienced an evaluation being used as a threat before Burns took over.
Thank you
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 13:59 — Dove314Thanks for the honest response. It's helpful.
A nice going away dinner is
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 10:20 — PlatowasrightA nice going away dinner is fine, but remember that under this guy, our minority students were dropping out at a 47% rate, but the WCPSS leadership was telling us that it is only 12% or 13%. It was actually 12% or 13% per year over the 4 years from when a student enters High School to when the student should have dropped out. They lied to us. Remember also that under Burns' leadership, our "nationally recognized" "diversity"" scam was supposed to be working when the truth was that over 40% of our schools failed to meet their own definition of " diversity". Remember also that the "diversity" scam was nothing more than an attempt to hide a racial quota busing system of which similar programs had been declared unconstitutional. Remember also that under Burns the WCPSS was briefly using an end of grade test that was a multiple choice test with 4 potential answers and the passing grade was 25%, which was attainable on average by just guessing at one of the four answers for a 25% passing grade. I say briefly, because once the 25% passing grade became public knowledge, that end of grade test instantly disappeared. I think it is great that Burns is getting a going away party, but the great part is that he is going away. I can only hope that under new management, we the taxpayers will stop getting lies instead of truthful answers. We pay the bills around here, we deserve the truth, each and every time.
"This is a celebration."
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 09:34 — CaryCurmudgeon"This is a celebration."
Agreed.
Me too...
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 09:32 — Bob_SconceBurn's decision to resign was the best service he's ever done for the district.