Wake County school board member Kevin Hill is asking that opponent Jennifer Mansfield stop saying that he wants quick passage of the new student assignment plan.
In a press release today, Hill points to this statement on Mansfield's website that "District 3′s current representative has indicated a desire to get this passed as quickly as possible." Hill calls that statement "demonstrably false."
"Time and time again, I have declared that we need to slow the assignment process down," Hill says in the press release. "In fact, I asked whether we 'wanted to do it quickly or correctly' when we discussed the timing."
Hill also points to how he's criticized the lack of public hearings and "have advocated for public participation and debate even as others have sought to limit public involvement."
"I have stood up for certain principles when it comes to assignment such as the need for stability, a long range plan that deals with growth and the essential need to make sure that every school, in every community, is a strong school that serves all students," Hill says.
That is my record, and that is the truth this election cycle. I ask that Jennifer Mansfield’s campaign remove the statement related to my role in assignment and cease in making such accusations moving forward."
Comments
Well, well, well
Mon, 10/10/2011 - 22:05 — SDR256It took a long time to find any bone to pick about Jennifer. She's a straight shooter - honest - & calls it like she sees it. She's been attendant and observant about the main components of the school board issues so I think it's pretty convenient for Kevin to put out 'his side of the story' in the last moments. Funny. What's he worried about? I'm sure if I called Jenn right now she'd be able to relay the statements she heard him say that were NOT quoted in the paper. She's not beyond making a mistake but she's no liar as anyone in this loose 'community' can attest to. Kevin's actions have not been particularly stellar when it has come to showing his character. His position on the assignment issue is a nuance.
The fact that Kevin Hill presided over the board while the math placement scandal was architected and deployed speaks volumes. Crib notes version: the system under holdzcum (demoted by Tata) established the Effectiveness Index (EI). EI weighted children's test scores depending on their minority & economic stays. This meant if you scored 99% but were black, Hispanic and/ or poor you would NEVER be assigned to the fast track math needed for any serious math or science college studies.
I will not forgive or forget any of the 'dirty rotten scoudrels' or - maybe more kindly 'lazy b4st4rds' who enabled this institutionalized racism with their real intend or misplaced assumptions. Kevin Hill is one. Several others have been fired all while the N&O largely has not informed the public about this SCANDAL robbing children of their futures.
That's a darned bigger bone to pick than some nuance about who said what. Kevin Hill was the chair and therefore instrumental in enabling this CRIME. The saga continues so I have to wonder if he's still helping Donna Hargens keep the 'unwashed' from the priviledged math. Trust is a terrible thing to waste.
Your "crib notes" really
Mon, 10/10/2011 - 22:44 — virginiadareYour "crib notes" really show your ignorance. The Effectiveness Index was established in the '90's well before Holdzcom was even employed by WCPSS. It has NEVER had ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING AT ALL to do with math placement! Saying it over and over again will not make it true! It was a means to evaluate teachers, not students.
You are an insider
Mon, 10/10/2011 - 22:52 — SDR256I know you are an insider VD. Likely your job is on the line and you've bought into the koolaid factory. Regardless of when it was created, holdzcom was the EI priest and apparently you joined the cult.
People can do their own research. There are two sides to every story. Any amount of mine being true is a revolting story for wake county children.
A little Touchy today?
Tue, 10/11/2011 - 13:42 — shank56Care to research this ?
As VD stated, the Effectiveness Index goes "Way back" and was even a part of the published profile for each elementary and middle school.
Google the "wayback machine" internet archive website. Enter wcpss.net in the search block. Click on the block for the year 2001.. and then the date for March 1.
Now, click the Newcomers box at the top. Then School profiles where you will find a list of schools with a 6 page profile of each. You will find the Effectiveness Index measure on page 3 of each school profile. You will also find a snapshot of the AG and Special Ed populations, stability and turbulence measures, as well as parent survey results.
Inconsequential
Tue, 10/11/2011 - 15:18 — SDR256You're picking at a nit. Kevin presided over the board while Holdzcum made hay with this disasterous mechanism. I see you only argued w the creation date not the fact that kids were labelled and their scores suppressed based on their race & ED status. In that system, where kids were promoted to higher math by teacher recommendation, having this assessment tied to teacher effectiveness/performance measuring only makes it worse in my eyes.
Track the kids scores. Those who show ability get the seat. The rest of the song & dance is just opportunity to game the system.
I am no insider. As I've
Tue, 10/11/2011 - 00:00 — virginiadareI am no insider. As I've said before, I'm not an educator and have never worked for WCPSS (I've actually been a proud homemaker since my kids were little and have no job to lose), but I have been a member of this community and involved in the schools here for decades, with many friends and associates who worked hard to make this system one of the best. What is revolting is the made-up "scandal" you and others, including a few disgruntled employees waging vendettas, are promoting. Your attacks and those of your allies have created the lowest morale among teachers and principals that WCPSS has ever seen.
Honestly
Tue, 10/11/2011 - 00:54 — SDR256Well, I am honestly sorry you feel that way VD. I am not voicing my opinions for political reasons and it sounds like - I'm willing to trust - that you aren't either. I truly want what's best for kids in this county. I've been talking to folks who, similar to your friends, have been involved in this issue with their while hearts and minds. I would like to propose that there is something lost in the faulty translation availae to us - the media and, grateful as I am for even this small chance to send a signal - this blog.
I suggest we organize our own community meeting. There are no politics to gain or lose post Oct 11 - only understanding to be gained by the grown ups in this county. A small group for coffee - 6 maybe? Are you game?
I'm not so sure it is faulty
Tue, 10/11/2011 - 09:07 — virginiadareI'm not so sure it is faulty translation so much as false information being disseminated. I do believe this blog in particular with all of its vitriol played a big part in the last election, which is why it has been my mission to correct misinformation whenever I see it now. I will take you at your word that you are not voicing your opinions for political reasons, but the people you are siding with do have a political agenda, which is NOT to support public education or the students in this district. So sorry, don't think I'll be able to meet for coffee.
Huh? If your "mission is to
Tue, 10/11/2011 - 09:13 — woodstockHuh? If your "mission is to correct misinformation," why then do you spew so many lies and continually distort the truth? I don't get it; are you joking?
And another thing
Mon, 10/10/2011 - 22:34 — SDR256Jennifer Mansfield has been hard at work as a member of the Economically Challenged student task force created by John Tedesco specifically to correct this monumental unfairness by staff on Hill's watch.
The irony of the team of 'racists' wading in to the toxic swamp created by the 'diversity supporters' to literally save the lives, the futures of the disadvantaged children lost in the machine hasn't been lost on the political Titans, believe me. On the Dem side they're still trying to figure out how to keep the heroism of this republican board quiet. Or, better yet - steal it for themselves.
Well SDR256, that's reassuring for many I'm sure...
Mon, 10/10/2011 - 22:40 — paulastamyou're a Mansfield AND a Tedesco (Tea Party) fan it seems! PB&J anybody?
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
Yep
Mon, 10/10/2011 - 23:13 — SDR256Yep. You caught me on that one by golly PS. I am a Jennifer Mansfield fan and a John Tedesco fan. Draw and quarter me now if my rights to blur the lines have somehow become a crime. They are both informed. Unlike Heather Losurdo. I think they both have kids at heart unlike Kevin Hill and all the UNCOUNTABLE outsiders with wake county in their sites as a political win. Jennifer is underfunded but at the core cares about the children of this county enough to have devoted eight years of her spare time, be willing to listen and learn; she is respected and deserves to win.
I think she'd give the whole board a good shot in the arm.
Kevin Hill has spent his
Tue, 10/11/2011 - 08:53 — virginiadareKevin Hill has spent his whole adult life serving the kids of this county, and you dare to say that he does not have kids at heart!!! How insulting! He is the one who has worked tirelessly for decades to make this system a good place for students and teachers. His only fault is that he does NOT think politically or make decisions based on what will get him re-elected. He bases his decisions on what will be best for the majority in the whole county, and doesn't try to buy off unhappy parents with favors in order to get donations and votes, unlike the newest members of the board.
Jenn tried to get the 2006 bond defeated. How can that be supporting the kids who needed seats in the midst of unprecedented, unrelenting growth? Can you imagine what would have happened and the predicament we'd be in now if we hadn't been able to build those schools or they had been delayed? No matter how she felt about year round schools, that was irresponsible. She also did not advocate for adequate operational funding until this campaign season (I hope that some of our long "conversations" on this blog helped change her mind on that).
Working tirelessly on the
Tue, 10/11/2011 - 10:25 — starsonoursWorking tirelessly on the wrong things makes you both tired and wrong. If he was doing what is in the best interest for District 3 he is also doing what is in the best interest of the county as a whole.
He's been a total failure on the board
Tue, 10/11/2011 - 09:19 — FSandYOUmaybe he should go back to the classroom. Then again, maybe not.
I hope Jenn helps fight to defeat the next bond too, but with the economic disaster that will continue for years to come I doubt she'll be the only one. Can you imagine a tax increase during these times?
Me either!
The job of a school board
Tue, 10/11/2011 - 09:16 — woodstockThe job of a school board member, or any elected official for that matter, is to represent the people that voted you into the position. He has not done that and as a result he will be handed his walking papers this evening.
SDR256...
Mon, 10/10/2011 - 22:10 — paulastampeople (especially "Woodstock") have had many a bone to pick regarding Jenn's back and forth with the GOP before deciding, or being forced, to run alone without GOP support for her effort...
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
Oh stop it
Mon, 10/10/2011 - 22:26 — SDR256That's another he said she said load of crap. Just because there are more of you trying to sell that junk doesn't make it true and - worse yet - I think you know it and are doing it intentionally. Did you read the other side to that story? The one not pumped through official laundering channels? Usually if it has a shade of grey it's likely more true. The GOP approached Jenn - Heather losurdo in fact - and asked her to be their candidate FIRST. Jennifer - being true to who she really is and a real independent said no. But when she did decide to run on her own asked them if they wanted to support her as an independent rather than run someone inexperienced. They went with inexperience but a sure rubber stamp for the GOP. There you have it. The truth, not sensational headlines.
Oh I'm glad SDR256 that the issue is settled and what you say
Mon, 10/10/2011 - 22:29 — paulastamis the complete "truth" since you are repeatedly endorsing Jenn in this forum. I guess we can put the issue of her GOP connections aside and move on then...
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
Black and white thinking
Mon, 10/10/2011 - 23:21 — SDR256The logic of black & white political thinking totally irritates me. Yes, I support many of the things John has done but likely would disagree with some things with him. I think, on the math issue he has been a total Don Quixote and hero.
Yes, Jenn honestly told the GOP that she is a liberal socially. I'm happy, whatever the reason, that she's one of those brave people on both sides of the fence who believe that smart kids - *even* (sarcasm) - smart black kids should have advanced classes.
Yes I am coming to Jenn's defense here because she was criticised in Hill's release and I am a supporter of hers.
Yes, Jenn is on the ED task force as are some republicans and several democrats I know.
End of story. What was your point?
If you read Saturday's Paper
Mon, 10/10/2011 - 20:54 — bluedawgYou would see where Mr. Hill stated his reservations in regards to capacity. Mansfield got this one wrong.
Kevin throws another tantrum on the playground
Mon, 10/10/2011 - 17:03 — FSandYOUTake your ball and go home Kevin.
Or you just might get beat by a girl.
FSandYou, let me add...
Mon, 10/10/2011 - 22:05 — paulastama dishonest girl it seems too!
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
People before you
Mon, 10/10/2011 - 22:46 — SDR256Oops! Wrong move Paula. You've showed your true intentions to your audience.
Jenn may have quit posting by the time you created yourself conveniently for this election, but I'll do you a favor and tell you that there are a lot of people who simply read this blog without posting. People who have followed this issue for years and have seen Jenn at countless board meetings, community meetings, school meetings, private meetings and on this blog. Think of the person you know in your community circle who you know as someone you admire, someone informed, equimenical, who listens before they speak. Jenn is regarded this way on this blog by longtime posters and silent readers.
You've made a serious mistep. By calling Jenn - well known here by those who agree or disagree with her views - dishonest - you risk becoming
Paula SHAM.
Good One....
Tue, 10/11/2011 - 07:51 — KevPerduePaulaSham......good one. She/He is a one trick pony. John, Tata and Ron are bad.....nothing good has happened under this new board...blah blah blah! There is nothing fair and independent about PaulaSham!