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WakeEd
The WakeEd blog is devoted to discussing and answering questions about the major issues facing the Wake County school system as it prepares to undergo historic changes. Will the new school board scrap the diversity policy in favor of neighborhood schools? Will year-round schools be converted back to a traditional calendar? How will the new board respond to growth and the school construction program?
WakeEd is maintained by The News & Observer's Wake schools reporter, T. Keung Hui. While Keung posts information and analysis on the issues, keep us posted on your suggestions, questions, tips and what you're doing to cope with the changes in Wake's schools.
Karen Simon to run for Wake school board
Submitted by KeungHui on 07/06/2009 - 05:00
Supporters of the diversity policy may have found a champion to carry on for outgoing school board member Patti Head.
Karen Simon, who says she'll "focus on investing in the best possible education for Wake County students" will run for Head's District 7 seat. She's allied with District 1 school board candidate Rita Rakestraw, an outspoken advocate of the diversity policy.
Here's Simon's press release:
July 4, 2009
Raleigh, NC – Wake County resident Karen Simon will be a candidate for Wake County Board of Education, District 7. Simon, a Grants Manager for the North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission, will file papers Monday with the Board of Elections making her candidacy certain. She lives in Raleigh with her two children who attend Wake County Public Schools.
Simon has a Masters of Public Administration from North Carolina Central University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration Management from Indiana Institute of Technology. She is a 2009 graduate of The Institute of Political Leadership. During her campaign, Simon will focus on investing in the best possible education for Wake County Students.
“My message is a simple message. I believe whatever issues Wake County Schools have, we should be able to work on them together as a community investing in the best education for every Wake County student, in every Wake County school.” Simon said. “This includes seeking new and creative strategies to maximize the reduced resources allocated to schools due to the recent budget cuts.”
Rakestraw said she and Simon plan to work together during this year's campaign. She said they plan to show up at the Wake County Board of Elections at the same time today to file for office.
The filing period opens at 8:30 a.m. It ends noon July 17.
Simon would run against Deborah Prickett, the character education consultant for the state Department of Public Instruction. Prickett has been backed by the Wake Schools Community Alliance, a critic of the diversity policy.
As noted in the latest issue of the Independent, school board supporters are trying to recruit a successor to Head, who supported the diversity policy.
District 7 covers Morrisville, part of Cary and northwest Raleigh.
UPDATE
Looks like there's been a change of plans. Rakestraw and Simon are now planning on filing separately today. I've also included the link for Simon's web site.
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Comments
I have a suggestion for her slogan...
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 15:11 — fiestamom"District 7 will get more of the *SAME*, which means a *DIFFERENT* school every year for YOUR child"
Just want to help Simon's campaign, in any way I can.
Beware of Doing Things THE SAME WAY
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 10:28 — RMC10Surprising and against all odds you'll probably get the same results. Don't believe a carefully worded Press Release. Why would we expect the pro-diversity candidates to effect real change supporting the same ole, same ole diversity policies that have failed miserably, and alienated not only parents but nonparent taxpayers in the County. Oh if only this was not a district by district race.
"Why would we expect the
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 13:34 — user1234"Why would we expect the pro-diversity candidates to effect real change supporting the same ole, same ole diversity policies "
Curious ... how do we refer to the pro-diversity opponents? What should we call them?
"how do we refer to
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 13:39 — CaryCurmudgeon"how do we refer to the pro-diversity opponents? What should we call them?"
Call them "candidates" since that's what they are. To my knowledge, there are no "anti-diversity" candidates in the hunt.
Keung, Is her children
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 09:30 — NWRaleighMomKeung,
Is her children attending magnet schools or YR schools in district 7?
Her kids attend Sanderson
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 16:48 — KeungHui (author)Her kids attend Sanderson High School.
Yes
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 18:33 — user1234Yes ... a RIM schooler ... we have someone who represents us.
and one is a senior and one
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 16:57 — AngelaWand one is a senior and one is a freshman, meaning there will be NO changes for either regardless....
It does seem like diversity
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 08:50 — user1234It does seem like diversity will be the defining issue between candidates and organizations from comments like this ....
"Prickett has been backed by the Wake Schools Community Alliance, a critic of the diversity policy."
Diversity is not the issue; it is about EDUCATION!
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 10:18 — designmanThose who limit their view of the upcoming school board elections to the issue of diversity are blind to the many opportunities available to advance student performance in Wake County.
Parents have made it very clear that they are looking for effective solutions that fit the needs of students and families. The current school board has turned a deaf ear to parents. Candidates, like Karen Simon, support the status quo and have nothing to offer except a continuation of policies that do not serve our communities and are failing the students most in need. By contrast, candidates Malone and Prickett have the interests of ALL students and families at heart and are looking far beyond a single issue for solutions that work.
Also, I think it is important to note the Karen Simon is immersed in politics, not education; she's a Secretary/Tresurer of her precinct and a member of the Democratic organization, the Wake County African American Caucus, whose purpose is to address the interests of only a small percentage of Wake County citizens. Her community involvement -- as race-centric as it is -- is admirable, but Wake County students and families deserve to have people on the school board that have a broader, more inclusive mindset and will represent all students in Wake County not just those that fit a specific profile.
Diversity is good
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 12:52 — distric7momIt seems to me that candidates Malone and Prickett are the ones who represent only those who fit a specific profile after all doesn't diversity mean lots,everyone, different, not specific. Diversity in any situation has always been positve especially in education .
Uh?
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 18:40 — designmanI have no idea what you are attempting to say, but it sounds like you don't have a very good grasp of the issues.
Malone and Pricket are not against diversity. Where did you ever get an idea like that? They are simply against the current reassignment/busing policy that has proven to be a failure. Don't you want candidates that oppose policies that do not work? I do and I'll bet ya that most voters in Wake County do too.
Do you mind sharing with
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 13:20 — NWRaleighMomDo you mind sharing with bloggers what school your child is in?
Policy versus goals
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 09:40 — Dadof3Well, it may be fair to say that many are critical of a policy that is failing to meet its objectives and are alienating parents in the process. Next?
only because it is media
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 09:10 — AngelaWonly because it is media driven.....check the N&O connections to WakeED Partnership...and understand why the constant contrived diversity vs. anti-diversity (untrue) slant
Well, fortunately Bob Geary
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 08:58 — CaryCurmudgeonWell, fortunately Bob Geary probably has few readers that take him very seriously. I love how he goes as far as weaving Jesse Helms into the story (For the record, Jesse Helms is not a member of WSCA).
"Institute of Political Leadership"
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 08:10 — Bob_SconceI'm not familiar with this organization, but it doesn't sound like the sort of thing a suburban parent will typically attend. Is she a political insider?
New Board member
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 07:54 — jodi37Oh, great! That's all we need another mom on the school board with a business background. When are we ever going to get someone that has actually been a lifetime teacher? It would be nice to have a person to advocate for the teachers. Let's chuck this no grading idea because it doesn't teach the students to be responsible citizens (no deadlines). More work for the teachers to have to ask for the work any time during a quarter. I am sure Ken O'Connor's book isn't a big seller in other parts of the world. Are there any other nations that do this? Aren't we behind in the education category when it comes to strength? When are we going to stop being bleeding hearts and teach some responsibility. Come on people is "no deadlines" reality in the business world. No wonder the business world complains about the students that are walking into the business world. They haven't been taught any responsibility to deadlines, pride in your work or being to work on time. I( thought the job of the schools was to teach students to be responsible citizens. Not make the business world cower to their needs.