Wake County school board member John Tedesco joined fellow conservatives at today's Tea Party rally at the State Capitol to protest high taxes and big government.
Tedesco told ther crowd that the reason the new school board majority got elected and voted against the diversity policy is "because there's an army of people like you out here today who said enough."
Tedesco's appearance at the rally likely will feed into the complaints of Raleigh FIST (Fight Imperalism Stand Together), the socialist group that held a counter protest to the Tea Party event. Some of the same people from Raleigh FIST were among those who protested at last month's school board meeting.
In a Wednesday press release, Raleigh FIST had focused on conservative businessman Art Pope's involvement with Americans for Prosperity, which was heavily involved in the Tea Party movement.
"Americans for Prosperity’s director is none other than Art Pope, one of the architects and chief funders of the right-wing coup on the Wake County School Board that is trying to resegregate the schools," Raleigh FiST says in the press release. "Pope and his cohorts – including Robert Luddy, the John Pope Foundation, and the Civitas Institute – are united around a common agenda to privatize our education and inject their poisonous politics into our schools."
UPDATE
As noted in today's article by Matt Ehlers, Tedesco said the crowd stood for conservative values that "need to be instilled in education."
Tedesco also said Wake County schools should teach children to fish "and not have the government feed them."
Comments
Mr. Hui, You may want to add
Sun, 04/18/2010 - 23:29 — carson79Mr. Hui,
You may want to add a link to the YouTube video of his speech " John Tedesco Wake County School Board at Tea Party". It's only a few minutes.
It really does make me feel better to get confirmation on a lot of my nagging feelings!!
I just found the video
Mon, 04/19/2010 - 22:14 — KeungHui (author)I just found the video tonight. I'll post when I can get the technical assistance. I'll learn to do it myself one of these days.
WOW ..... You people crack me up!
Sun, 04/18/2010 - 20:01 — Teapartyguy7. Avoid being placed in a position of conflict of interest and refrain from using the Board member's position on the Board for personal or partisan gain;
Okay, first off, the Tea Party is not a partisan event. It is a grassroots movement of people from all parties. According to Gallup, it is 51% Independents and Democrats and 45% of participants make less than $50k. How do you turn that into a partisan event? Because you disagree with them?
How is John personally gaining from this? He was not paid. He is only paid $11k for being on the board. Is he gaining personally from speaking his convictions to people outside of the Board Meetings?
John spoke to the NAACP too. Is that a partisan event? Where is your outcry there?
John quit his job over the Wake BOE because detractors threatened the Boys and Girls Club Raleigh chapter with organizing to withhold donations from a group that helps at risk kids? Are you proud of yourselves? Really? Are you really looking out for the kids best interest?
The dog in this fight really looking out for the kids IS John Tedesco and John will show up anytime and anyplace to talk about his passion and his plan. He doesn't cower from speaking to people who disagree with him.
Bev Perdue was invited to speak at the Tea Party in Raleigh, as was David Price, Bob Etheridge and Brad Miller. They could not find the time to do so.
I really love the comment that if John was married with children his attitude would be different. It most certainly WOULD NOT! That is the difference between a principled position and self serving people. Principled people do what is right not what works out best for them. BTW - THAT is the message we should be teaching the children in Wake schools.
You should also note that John does not have kids. He just raised his special needs younger siblings while his drug addled mother and sick father could not. If John was a socialist Democrat, you guys would be telling campfire stories about him.
QUIT THE PERSONAL ATTACKS - read, listen and get involved. If you have a legitimate gripe bring it up. If you were so satisfied with the last board, how did they get voted out?
If Reverend President Doctor Barber and the NAACP were smart, they would get behind the neighborhood schools, pressure people in those communities to get involved and turn those failed schools into the best schools in the county. This IS their opportunity to do something positive instead of trying to create panic by screaming "re-segregation" and "Jim Crow".
Interesting that if all the kids being moved out to the burbs from low income neighborhoods are minority children, don't they live in self segregated neighborhoods?
Wow...Glenn Beck on one
Sun, 04/18/2010 - 20:54 — danofncWow...Glenn Beck on one thread, Rush Limbaugh on the other..what a day for us!
Ummmmm....nice spin (oh wait....that's O'Reilly) on the stats. 51% independent and Democrats. While technically true, it fails to really encompass the 49% GOP, 43% indepependent, and 8% Democrat that is reality.
92% of Tea Party supporters are non-Democrat. That's a high percentage.
I don't support "instilling" conservative or liberal values in education. I also don't think I should be expected to support a BoE member saying that he wants conservative or liberal values "instilled" in education.
It's funny that a Tea Party guy is complaining about a panic being created by people making false complaints, considering that the Tea Party movement has roots that trace back to "death panels".
OH good grief
Sun, 04/18/2010 - 22:37 — Bob_SconceDeath Panels? You started off sounding so reasonable and then that came up. Do you believe in aliens also?
That was the whole point,
Sun, 04/18/2010 - 22:42 — danofncThat was the whole point, Bob. "Death Panels", "resegregration", and whatever else is the same exact type of rhetoric, and it's all useless. People (both sides) need to realize that loud does not equal right.
I don't think the goal of the BoE is to resegregate. I think they may be convinced that they can provide enough support to the higher poverty schools that the new plan will likely create to overcome the disadvantages that those schools have, and I think they are mistaken in their beliefs. But, I don't think they are secretly having meetings to figure out how to resegregate.
Fish quote reminds me...
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 12:19 — Eric_BThe fish quote reminds me of one of my favorite lines from the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett:
"Build a man a fire, keep him warm for a day. Set a man on fire and keep him warm for the rest of his life."
:)
I Bet
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 20:39 — occum_sharpeJoan of Arc would have loved that quote.
Sorry, couldn't resist.
Fish
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 10:30 — MiraMilIf Tedesco meant that schools should be in the business of teaching children how to be educated and productive members of society, that's a no brainer and we would all agree on that (though we may have profound disagreements as to how to get there). At the very least, Tedesco was very inartful and insensitive in his analogy as the schools actually do feed many low income children (many children rely on free and reduced meals for their only good meal in a day) and it sounds like he's telling them to feed themselves. Guess children who had the unfortunate luck to be born of poor parents should be punished for their parents' sins and go hungry? In addition to public funding of meals for low income children, public schools are publicly funded institutions. Taken to its logical conclusion, Tedesco appears to be saying that children need to stop expecting to receive a public education and instead get one themselves. That's a pretty extreme position for a public official in charge of a public school district of 140,000 children. Finally, I take issue with the implication in Tedesco's statement that schools are now teaching children to rely on government handouts--I just don't see where the heck that is coming from. I have a child in the public schools and he has never come home asking for a public handout.
Well
Sat, 04/17/2010 - 11:32 — TrailerParkGirlWell, there goes yet another day where I wake up hoping to pass just one day in this county without hearing or reading negative stereotypes and put downs of low-income people and go to bed disappointed.
I consider myself very fortunate to have been born to my lower-income parents. They were good people and not sinners just like many other low-income people.
At the very least your post was inartful and insensitive.
The simple version of the proverb is:
Give a man a fish, feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime
As a teacher in differents
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 14:53 — willynillyAs a teacher in differents schools for 13 years I can tell you from my own experience that more children are being turned out unable to read and write than they are being independent learn ers and thinkers. I have been teaching 7th and or 8th grade for that time. Each eyar more and more of my students arrive (and leave) unable to function in a literate manner.
The standard put forward some years ago was that if a child cannot pass the reading and/or math EOG in 8th grade they should not go on to 9th. Now if you look at the numbers (and I will provide details of this when I get EOG scores back this year) you really only have to get a 60% on the math and reading EOG to be considered proficient. So I would agree, to be less than 60% proficient at reading would mean you need to try 8th grade again. We are all familiar with the standard (1,2,3,4) as far as levels on the EOGs. Many principals take a new standard in that if a child makes progress they will be promoted. So if a 123 raw score is a 1 and that child goes up to 130 they made progress, but that raw score may still be a 1. This happens ALL the time and every year.
Principals have the ability to change grades as well as promote non-performing students. We know that from the case in Cumberland County where a principal was fired for doing just that. However, in that case the judge that ehard the appeal from the football team (who lost all their games for this) found this ability (although leagal) very curious.
...
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 11:49 — SideburnsWhy do you view being poor as a sin?
sin
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 12:16 — MiraMilI don't. I was being ironic. What I was trying to say is that children should not be made to suffer because their parents are poor.
...
Sat, 04/17/2010 - 09:57 — SideburnsDo you mean like being targeted for long distance bus rides and constant reassignment? I agree.
Pfft...
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 10:48 — Bob_SconceOnly in the most jaded of minds. The rest of us recognize that he was alluding to the "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime" adage.
So, Bob, how exactly does
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 10:56 — danofncSo, Bob, how exactly does that adage work as an analogy for public education?
Didn't the GOP have a heart attack when Obama wanted to address students? Didn't they claim he was going to "indoctrinate" the kids, when all he really wanted to do was give a speech encouraging them to study hard and stay in school (like basically every other POTUS has done)?
Shouldn't JT receive a similar negative reaction by outright stating that kids should be instilled with conservative principles in schools?
Watch for the money
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 14:55 — willynillyWatch for the money tie....Common Core Curriculum tied to the grant from the Feds, RACE TO THE TOP. Be careful of this.
These so called
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 16:27 — user12345These so called conservatives are asleep at the wheel when it comes to guarding against federal take over of education. Keep us aware.
If students are taught a
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 11:25 — changewcpssIf students are taught a silly song about J Tedesco I'll join your argument. Until then, I am willing to let J Tedesco continue with his mission of helping all children.
What?
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 11:17 — Bob_SconceSo, Obama was criticized because of the timing -- he was right in the middle of a huge health-care push when he wanted to have a little tet-a-tet with America's students. EVen so, I think the national GOP overreacted, and the speech ended up being innocuous.
When did he say that kids should be instilled with "conservative prinicples"? He said they should be instilled in *education*, which is an entirely different thing.
Multiple responses
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 11:47 — DrActualFactualTedesco's "fishy" remark seems to encourage kids to become self-reliant and self-sufficient; life skills to survive the future college/work years. Dan, those who worried about Obama's address to the kids had problems with the infamous "worksheets" which even the White House said was perhaps a bad idea. User (remember who said something like "don't let the youth and inexperience of my colleague...) I think you are missing the Reagan era--maybe you are more conservative than you realize. And finally, Chaboard---tea party "radicals" did you look at the photo gallery today from that event? Aside from the FIST attendees, the tea party folks look like senior citizens (the group most worried about their healthcare benefits and with good reason). A talk show host yesterday said that the tea party opponents had been encouraged to "sabotage" the events and show up with nasty racist posters and "act up". Unfortunately, civility has been lost, reasonable discourse has diminished and the philosophy of "the end justifies the means" has become far more prevalent.
I think John means well but
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 14:53 — user12345I think John means well but he is still young. He pulled himself up by his bootstraps and wants others to do the same. That is a noble goal since government is an unreliable partner. I think if John was married and had children, he would view life differently.
Tedesco also said Wake
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 09:30 — doctorjTedesco also said Wake County schools should teach children to fish "and not have the government feed them."
I still cannot believe he actually said that considering the position he holds.
Absolutely...
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 09:44 — Bob_SconceHow dare a school board member suggest that schools should teach kids to be productive members of society! This is sheer lunacy!
Have another glass of
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 10:42 — doctorjHave another glass of kool-aid Bob. I thought teachers had enough of a challenge teaching ED kids the basics like reading, writing, and math.
What!
Sun, 04/18/2010 - 10:04 — woodstockAre you actually suggesting that just because a child is from a lower income family, he or she is less capable of learning? Setting aside the outrageous bigotry of that comment, I must say you'd fit in well with the old status quo school board; they thought the same thing and built a failing school system around it.
So...
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 10:53 — Bob_SconceLearning things like reading, writing and math IS learning to be a productive member of society, or at least a huge part of it. How many productive people do you know who can't read or write?
tedesco's tea party
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 22:55 — jinglesdi've just met one who doesn't seem to know that the correct phrase is tete-a-tete - must be a consequence of that good ole family values education. but hey, when the tedesco crowd gets its way, they'll eliminate all of those pesky foreign words.
So....
Sat, 04/17/2010 - 01:12 — Bob_SconceIsn't that a little petty? Going after me for a spelling mistake? I lived in a French-speaking city for 5 years and took another 5 years of French between 6th and 10th grade. You're posting because I didn't recall that the French word for 'head' has feminine gender?
Since we're seeing who can be the bigger jagoff, you missed all the accents -- the correct expression is tête-à-tête. Plus, you neglected to capitalize the word 'I' in your first sentence, the first letter of your second sentence or Tedesco's last name. Further, it should be punctuated as "But, hey, . . . ." You also use 'crowd' in the singular in the first half of your second sentence, but in the plural in the second half. And, finally, you used a hyphen when a dash would have been more appropriate. So, that's at least SEVEN errors you made in two sentences. How's that progressive education holding up for you?
tsk tsk, touchy touchy. be
Mon, 04/19/2010 - 08:42 — jinglesdtsk tsk, touchy touchy. be thankful you received such a good education when you did; not likely you would do as well under the current regime. btw - if lower case was good enough for e.e. cummings, it's good enough for me.
What will you do when the
Mon, 04/19/2010 - 09:55 — woodstockWhat will you do when the community schools model suceeds and at-risk students gain academically under then new forward-thinking leadership? It is going to happen.
If it happens
Mon, 04/19/2010 - 10:34 — Dove314I'd applaud them.
productive members of society
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 10:09 — HereWeGoHow do you teach a child how to be a productive memeber of society at school if they are not being taught how to be productive members of society at home?
I thought that school was not a social experiment but a place of academic learning?
So, if you are going to teach a child how to be a productive members of society at school should they not sit beside a child who is being tought how to be a productive members of society at home so they will have a peer example? This sounds like the diversity policy to me.
incredible
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 08:01 — mainesWow, if anyone ever doubted Mr. Tedesco's higher office aspirations, certainly they don't now. The crime is that he is stepping on our precious children on his way.
How is Tedesco "stepping on
Sat, 04/17/2010 - 07:11 — woodstockHow is Tedesco "stepping on our precious children?" Please explain. From my view, Tedesco and the rest of the new BoE members are shining a light on the failure of the status quo system that ignored our most vulnerable children and is proposing way to reach these children so they can succeed in academics and in life.
Wow - Talk About Bad Judgement
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 07:24 — chaboardPublicly aligning himself with a highly partisan divisive extremist group when he holds a supposedly non-partisan position and CLAIMS to want to unite rather than divide the county.
Publicly aligning himself with a movement known in large part for the attraction it holds for outright racists when he's trying to convince the world that he's NOT trying to resegregate the school system.
Publicly aligning himself with people whose biggest anger issue is incoherent rage against taxes at a time when his fidicuary responsibility on the school board DEMANDS that he be actively lobbying both state and local governments for significantly more money for our kids.
This man lacks any sense of judgement and is repeatedly proving himself thoroughly unqualified for the position he holds. And he obviously WANTS to fan the flames of the controversy swirling around himself.
LOL I've got news for you,
Sat, 04/17/2010 - 07:19 — woodstockLOL I've got news for you, the Tea Parties are not reflective of a "divisive extremst group. " Far from it. They are an assembly of highly educated, productive and patriotic citizens who understand the founding principle of our great country. They are also very influenctial -- you see, they represent the voters who will make their voices heard loud and clear in the voting booths across American this November.
Put Down....
Mon, 04/19/2010 - 06:56 — chaboard.... The Crack Pipe
Once you overcome your
Mon, 04/19/2010 - 08:18 — woodstockOnce you overcome your denial, perhaps you will become reacquanted with reality.
Code of Ethics violation?
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 17:32 — jeannie84who thinks that Tedesco's Tea Party appearance is in violation of the BOE Code of Ethics, Section B, Number 7:
Board members will...
7. Avoid being placed in a position of conflict of interest and refrain from using the Board member's position on the Board for personal or partisan gain;
Please. If this is the man
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 17:40 — red_balloonPlease. If this is the man crafting the new plan we should be focusing on things more important than a perceived ethics violation.
Yes, by all means, let's not
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 17:54 — jeannie84Yes, by all means, let's not make the person who holds the future of 140,000 children in his hands accountable for his own actions
The attempt at sarcasm is
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 18:21 — red_balloonThe attempt at sarcasm is about as potent as the attempt at leveling charges of unethical conduct in this instance.
Did he not speak at a
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 18:27 — danofncDid he not speak at a partisan rally?
Is there not an apparent rule that prohibits school board members from doing that?
How are you saying that his speech doesn't break the rule? Can you explain that please?
Did Sutton break the rule
Sat, 04/17/2010 - 07:24 — woodstockDid Sutton break the rule when he helped organize the extremely partisan Friends of Diversity rally the day before the BoE elections. That little display was intended to help defeat the new board members ... didn't work.
Funny, When Tedesco attended
Sat, 04/17/2010 - 10:07 — CaryCurmudgeonFunny, When Tedesco attended meetings hosted by CCCCACC and NAACP, nobody accused him of having an agenda to provide preferential treatment based on race. At those meetings, his message was the same -- breaking the cycle of poverty and reliance on government subsidy lies with giving children a quality education. Same message, different meeting, and now he's a neocon?
I don't share your concern
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 18:43 — red_balloonI don't share your concern about Tedesco's participation at the Tea Party rally. I have a bigger problem with dollar driven parents and businesses touting 'diversity' than about a BOE member supporting fiscal conservatism. Hopefully he will use those views in shaping the zone plan.
by my accounting, Tedesco
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 22:48 — jeannie84by my accounting, Tedesco and his cronies have already cost Wake County:
$15 million by cancelling Forest Ridge High School
$75,000 for hiring an extra lawyer
$14.1 million in projected construction costs by converting several YR schools back to traditional
$145,550 to continue paying Del Burns's salary
and (potentially) $1.9 million if we lose the federal magnet grant funding
And now they are forging ahead with a plan to remake the entire assignment process -- even though the vast majority of families like their current school assignment -- without any regard or analysis of costs.
Is that how you define "fiscal conservatism?!"
I don't think the
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 23:44 — red_balloonI don't think the expenditure on Farr is justified. The $15m on H6 is suspect. One can't believe numbers from either camp on H6. As for Dr Burns, maybe you would like to use your persuasive charm and have him forgo his earnings. Finally, with regard to the magnet funding, look at the 2009 budget. I figure about $3m out of $1000m came from MSAP. So, if you want to save money on magnets, eliminating NC + WC funding for magnets will save you more than fretting over a possible MSAP grant loss.
You left out the cost to
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 23:10 — CaryCurmudgeonYou left out the cost to repair schools if they get hit by meteors. Really....
" $15 million by cancelling Forest Ridge High School"
schools back to traditional"
funding"