Wake County school board member Kevin Hill is off to an early lead over challenger Heather Losurdo.
With 1,313 absentee ballots and one-stop votes in, Hill has 67 percent. Losurdo has 33 percent. Hill jumped out to a similar lead on Oct. 11.
Stay tuned to the blog for the rest of the night for updates.
UPDATE
With 14 of 26 precincts in, Hill has 54 percent. Losurdo has 46 percent.
With 24 of 26 precincts in, Hill has 52 percent to Losurdo's 48 percent.
It's over, Hill has 52 percent with all precincts reporting.
Comments
And protect their magnet
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 22:01 — ApexRes98And protect their magnet schools.
sadly
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 22:02 — AngelaWMission Accomplished.
Well, hopefully ALL children will now have a chance at getting..
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 22:07 — paulastaminto magnet schools and not just the high achieving kids - the latest questionable move supported by Ronnie M and Tedesco. Hopefully, the new board will review this inequitable policy.
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
Unless Hill has morphed into
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 23:01 — jenmanUnless Hill has morphed into somebody else, I'm willing to bet that he is supportive of this provision of the assignment plan. Just last year he voted against removing SES from the magnet acceptance process. He was in favor of giving affluent students seats in magnets before everybody else. I imagine he'll be in favor of giving the seats to kids from high achieving nodes instead. It's all about balancing the schools.
shhhhh
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 22:14 — ApexRes98Don't let those Enloe kids hear you say they aren't the high achievers...
they'll make you walk the
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 22:17 — AngelaWthey'll make you walk the plank!
This shows how much you know
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 22:14 — starsonoursThis shows how much you know about WCPSS.....
Paula "who still doesn't get
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 22:12 — AngelaWPaula "who still doesn't get it"
the magnet PROGRAM will NEVER be reviewed now and magnets have ALWAYS been inequitable. duh.
Ah
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 21:21 — Dove314I'm sure Bob Sconce and Jenman (and Ms. Nordone?) likely do not appreciate that you think they deserve 4 more years of non-representation along with the remainder of that 48% who voted for Losurdo. There is the option that, instead of trying to focus on hostility, sulking, and doing nothing, that the people in District 3 instead try to find common ground and push Mr. Hill to do better than his past performance.
Deserve it or not that is
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 21:25 — starsonoursDeserve it or not that is what D3 will get. The 52% that voted for Hill decided the everyone deserves non representation. Fortunately they have had at least 4 years experience of being ignored. It won't be as hard for them to adjust.
Democracy is tyranny of the...
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 21:46 — bpuli9999majority. Get used to it.
I only have to endure 2.5
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 21:56 — starsonoursI only have to endure 2.5 more years and I will not have children in WCPSS. But my heart goes out to those that will.
Hmm..
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 21:28 — Dove314Mr. Hill would do well to remember that, of those who voted, 48% voted against him. This was one of the errors from the 2009 election - to misinterpret the results as meaning those who won had a mandate to do as they pleased.
Dove, Hill owes it to remember that...
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 21:40 — paulastamhe needs to serve our kids first and not the voter or political parties. Decision making should be based around "Is this the best solution for our students, parents and schools?". Hopefully sound decision making will trump concerns about being re-elected. We have had some arrogant and less than thoughtful leadership the last two years and as a result we saw a 5 district sweep...
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
oh uh huh....ok
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 21:42 — AngelaWyeah, 'cause Mr. Hill is like that....NOT. (one of the most arrogant condescending, pig-headed persons I've ever dealt with when it comes to school issues.and trust me that says a LOT considering Patti Head was the rep for my district in the past.)
Hum..He would have done well
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 21:30 — starsonoursHum..He would have done well to represent his district when he was elected 4 years ago. He did not and was rewarded with a second term. I don't think he will have a change of heart anytime soon.
..
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 21:36 — Dove314rather than duplicate, see post below.
Obviously RL we were happy
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 21:12 — zandeObviously RL we were happy enough with our representation that we voted for him agian. But thanks for your concern.
And to get 52% of the vote
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 21:15 — starsonoursAnd to get 52% of the vote at $10 per vote for an incumbent to win. Yes that screams people were satisfied with his representation.
Do you know...
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 21:48 — bpuli9999by how much majority JT won his election?
over 75% in the run off
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 22:00 — starsonoursover 75% in the run off
Not saying much
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 22:35 — Solon77Not saying much when your opponent withdrew - it should have been higher.
She was on the ballot. If
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 23:56 — jeffrey1She was on the ballot. If Missouri can elect a dead guy to the US Senate, then the folks of Garner can vote for someone who they might not have known had withdrawn.
IT was an expensive
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 21:24 — zandeIT was an expensive election. The opponent and her backers may have spent more but nevertheless...... its over, the new Board has it's sanity back and the children of Wake County are all better off.
Hopefully when the
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 21:41 — CaryCurmudgeonHopefully when the excitement wears off, people will reflect on what happened the last two election cycles, and maybe learn from it. IMHO, this election wasn't about neighborhood schools versus busing, it was about governance. The Dems got tossed out in 2009 because they ignored parents and acted arrogantly. The Reps got hammered in 2011 because of their ham-fisted, partisan politics. They lost sight of the fact that 2009 was as much about voting out the old board as it was voting in the new one. The same is true for 2011.
For the folks in D3, I hope Kevin Hill has learned a few lessons here. When constituents ask for an audience, he should grant it. And in the later stages of the campaign he started talking about converting Wakefield Elementary to traditional, and working on a better funding model for Baileywich. I hope he follows through.
If the new board acts like the last two boards, then our county is doomed to continued partisan bickering and parental disenfranchisement, at the expense of our children. These new leaders need to succeed where others before them failed -- in finding common ground and compromise, and in following a "middle-ground" path which does not veer too far left or right.
But, for tonight, congratulations to all of those who worked hard to achieve change, I know how good you all feel right now.
I agree
Wed, 11/09/2011 - 07:52 — Athey01It's time for all parties to work together. Although, I must admit that I'm concern about Mr Martin and Mr Tedesco.
If
Wed, 11/09/2011 - 08:26 — Dove314If 7 of 9 can find ways to compromise and get along then the 2 of them fighting each other or everyone else are marginalized as extremists.
Don't forget Evans...she is
Wed, 11/09/2011 - 08:37 — starsonoursDon't forget Evans...she is an ideologue but not as arrogant as Martin. When the discussions turn to assignment it is going to be hard to find common ground. Plus the majority will be introducing policy 6200 (2.0) with a new name. I hope I am wrong but I know it will happen.
Joe, Thank you. Strong
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 23:29 — WhalerCaneJoe,
Thank you. Strong post. I agree.
well done, cc
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 23:26 — mom2teensCC, I usually don't agree with your point of view on this blog, but I greatly respect this post. As a public education supporter and registered Independent, I am really happy about the change in board majority but totally agree the last two elections have been more about lack of leadership and strategic thinking and action than about party, despite the spending on both sides.
ditto ~ excellent post, CC!
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 23:02 — jeannie84ditto ~ excellent post, CC! thank you!!
Where's Woody in the discussion tonight?
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 22:13 — paulastamMy guess is that he is at the pizza joint with Losurdo...so much for his "boycott"!! Maybe he's hoping she might serve some cocktails afterall...
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
Paula - Even those who are
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 23:35 — jeffrey1Paula - Even those who are on "your" side are repudiating you and your classless remarks. Time to STFU.
This ain't a friendly game of chess Jeffery1..
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 23:49 — paulastamthis was the well being of a billion dollar public school system and Losurdo had many question marks rasied by the media about her past, her husband and her numerous claims during the campaign. Yes, she is a mom, but she was also running for public office (as recently as tonight!) and therefore put herself out there and apparently there was a lot for us to discover!! As for being classless, your, and certainly CaryC's, one sided support for Jen then last minute conversion to Losurdo (her earlier opponent) once your gal was out was hypocracy at work. As is your consistent claim to being a Democrat yet you so frequently spoke against ALL Democrats sitting on our board or running for it. I'll choose not to take my lessons in ethics from you or CaryC! :)
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
As for being classless,
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 23:55 — jeffrey1As for being classless, your, and certainly CaryC's, one sided support for Jen then last minute conversion to Losurdo (her earlier opponent) once your gal was out was hypocracy at work.
You could not be any more ignorant (wanted to say stupid, but they may have been classless).
Hey Paula, It's called a 1st and 2nd choice. My 1st choice was Mansfield, my 2nd choice was Losurdo. If you've ever voted in an instant runoff election, making a 1st and 2nd choice is something you have to do.
In 2008, was Obama or Hilary your 1st choice? And do you now repudiate your 2nd choice?
As for the fact that even those on your side are now disowning you, I'll let that fact speak (volumes) for itself.
Jeff, I'm pretty sure that
Wed, 11/09/2011 - 08:43 — CaryCurmudgeonJeff,
I'm pretty sure that if the runoff had ended up Mansfield vs. Losurdo, that most if not all of the Hill "one-sided (??)" supporters would have gotten behind Mansfield since she is more of a moderate and independent voice.
One thing's clear, the days of parent-driven school board elections in Wake County are over, and that is a darned shame.
That really is a classless
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 22:23 — CaryCurmudgeonThat really is a classless remark. The election is over, and I don't see the point in continuing to trash Losurdo's name. She is no longer a candidate, she's a mom who wants the best for her kids.
Her Nasty, Bitter Concession Remarks
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 23:11 — chaboard.....was more a lot more "highly partisan Republican leader clearly intending to keep on throwing bombs" than "mom who wants the best for her kids". She does a pretty good job of trashing her own name.
She's also a fear mongering
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 22:32 — the_truthShe's also a fear mongering liar that would say anything to get elected. Just sayin...
..
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 22:16 — Dove314Can we leave off gloating? it would be ideal if we could all try to be better than that.
I agree
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 22:04 — turnerk1and well said.
Well said
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 21:47 — Dove314Well said CC. Well said!
I feel much better hearing
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 21:34 — starsonoursI feel much better hearing that from you...I will sleep well tonight knowing that the sanity of 2+ years ago has been restored to the BoE <sarcasm>.
48% of you were not
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 21:15 — FSandYOUso basically every other neighbor doesn't agree with you.
But not that they matter.
That's One Way Of Looking At It
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 22:54 — chaboard....another would be that roughly as many people voted for Hill tonight as voted for Prickett and Malone *combined* two years ago. Both views would be accurate, neither would be all that productive.
Here's hoping the two groups can each learn from the last two elections and work together.
(Not holding my breath though)
..
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 21:34 — Dove314This has to stop. It does matter that 48% did not agree. It is time for the "my way or the highway" stupidity to stop. There is a huge need to collaborate and do our best regardless for the kids in WCPSS, not just in D3 but in all the districts. All of the 2011 election winners would do well to truly listen to and learn from those who opposed them instead of believing they have all the answers. The same holds true for those who were elected in 2009.
Dove wait until you see the
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 21:38 — starsonoursDove wait until you see the first board meeting in December, do you really believe Martin is willing to listen to anyone other than himself? The 5-4 is now 4-5 and with the election of strong idealoges (Martin and Evans) the fighting between the minority and majority factions will be worse than before.
..
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 21:44 — Dove314What I'm suggesting is everyone, including those who voted for the newly elected, needs to insist that all view points deserve to be heard rather than turning a blind eye to half of their own community or district. We need to find ways to take the best of everyone's ideas instead of insisting our own are always the best. That goes for Jim Martin just as much as John Tedesco.
I hate to be redundant but
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 21:51 — starsonoursI hate to be redundant but do you really think Martin is on the board to listen to others?
If not
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 22:07 — Dove314then he'd better learn. Collectively, voters are sending a message about what we do not want to see that crosses political lines. Just winning an election does not entitle a politician to not listen to all of their constituents. That includes Mr. Martin. For all the many horrid qualities of Jesse Helms, he knew enough to expend the effort to serve his constituents. Mr. Martin and Mr. Tedesco would do well to do the same. Mr. Hill as well.