Horace Tart not making endorsement in school board runoff election

For now at least, school board member Horace Tart isn't endorsing any of the candidates in the runoff election in District 2.

Tart said he's been approached by supporters of both John Tedesco and Cathy Truitt asking him for his endorsement. He said Wednesday he's staying "neutral" for now.

Reflecting on finishing third in the election, Tart said he couldn't compete with the anti-busing message of his two main opponents.

“I was the status quo candidate and the others pushed the anti-status quo,” Tart said. “I don’t say that we don’t need change. There’s room for improvement. The others told people we’re going to do away with busing.”

While busing for diversity was a big issue in Garner, Tart said he didn't so well in his native Fuquay-Varina because of anger over the reassignments in the latest plan. The opening of Herbert Akins and Banks Road elementary schools triggered reassignments at several area schools.

“People need to understand that when you open new schools, people have to go there,” Tart said.

Tart said Fuquay-Varina residents were influenced by the close proximity of district critics from Apex and Holly Springs, where he said they have a stronger presence.