Wake County school board member Kevin Hill reiterated today that he isn't out to scrap the new student assignment plan or get rid of Superintendent Tony Tata.
In an interview today on The Bill LuMaye Show on WPTF, Hill answered the charges being leveled at him by Heather Losurdo that his re-election will result in the assignment plan being junked and a majority that could fire Tata. Hill said the recently adopted plan was 85 to 90 percent there.
"I don't believe that we're going to go back to the old plan," Hill said if he wins. "I've said repeatedly I have no intention of that. That's water under the bridge.
The plan that we have and I'll make very clear that I didn't vote against the plan itself. My no vote was against a few components of the plan. I think there are some rough edges around the plan that need to be worked out so I do not see us scrapping this plan at all. I'm looking forward to working with the superintendent and staff to take care of the rough edges and move forward with it."
LuMaye asked what his concerns were with the plan then. Hill pointed to having seat set-asides at high-performing schools for low-performing students.
"So what I'd like to see is an opportunity for us to come together, look at the high-performing schools and talk about the seat set-asides for those students that are displaced from magnets," Hill answered.
Based on his answers, LuMaye said that "after talking to you Kevin, I don't know that you're talking about going back to busing for diversity's sake. That sounds like that's a dead plan altogether for you. But I don't want to put words in your mouth."
"No, I believe it is," Hill answered. "Again, I agree with the superintendent though that we have to look at student achievement and a balance of student achievement at all of our schools."
LuMaye then asked Hill for his assessment of Tata. Hill said he's "a stand-up guy with good intentions."
"I have a feeling he will be with us for years to come," Hill said.
"So you wouldn't vote against him?" LuMaye asked.
"Heavens no," Hill answered, as he also acknowledged he voted against hiring him in December.
LuMaye asked Hill for his reaction to the attacks from Progress NC Action about Losurdo's bankruptcy 18 years ago. LuMaye asked if the attacks are relevant.
"I think there should be some boundaries, but I think everyone wants insight into the character and integrity of people who are running for office," Hill answered. "I've already publicly stated that what happened in the early '90s I wasn't going to go there."
"Does it matter to you?" LuMaye asked. "Should it matter to anybody?"
"There are probably a few things when I was in college I'd do differently," Hill answered.
Hill also said that he's "very publicly" asked that the political action committees "back out of District 3" because he feels he can run "a positive campaign."
Comments
One Vote?
Thu, 11/03/2011 - 20:54 — MissVRemember the last vacuum cleaner salesman who knocked at your door?
WRONG!
Thu, 11/03/2011 - 20:50 — GODBLESSNCEvery Educator has in their life modified a decision! Kevin Hill is a sincere Educator and his actions represent those of an individual congruent of being that of an Educator. Do you want a Bill Collector making decisions on behalf of your childrens Education? A Bankrupt Bill Collector at that!
Kevin Hill "says" a lot of things, but how does he vote?
Thu, 11/03/2011 - 19:38 — woodstockKevin Hill "says" a lot of things. He "says" he supports the new assignment plan, but HE VOTED AGAINST IT! Why? He desperately wants to return to busing for "diversity." All you need to do is look at who is funding his campaign and his appalling voting record to see where he really stands. His actions speak much louder than his words.
Again, he voted AGAINST the new broadly praised student assignment plan, but that is not all. During his tenure he voted for, supported and even presided over many failed policies that led to embarrassing graduation rates for low-income and many minority students, mandatory year-round assignments, enormous program disparities, increased suspension and drop-put rates, pointless and burdensome forced-busing and reassignments, and discriminatory practices that denied low-income and minority students access to advanced math courses. These were all acceptable to him as long as there was busing for "diversity" and "healthy schools." He forgot his job was to ensure healthy students. He may be experienced, but he apparently has learned very little from that experience.
All of Hill's failures as a school board member are now being addressed and fixed by the current school board majority. The time for Hill to go is way past due. He had his chance and blew it.
Ha!
Thu, 11/03/2011 - 21:23 — logosisdeadYou made like three points and then mixed the words around a bit to make it seem like you had like six points. He voted against it because he read it. Something none of the rest of us could do before they voted. And aside from that he looked at each word, ascertained the document's meaning, then made a decision to vote based on that.
So Malone, Tedesco,
Thu, 11/03/2011 - 21:27 — starsonoursSo Malone, Tedesco, Prickett, Goldman, Morrison and McLaurin did not read it? They were unable to ascertain the document's meaning? Remember Morrison and McLaurin are Dr.'s one a PhD the other a MD. And you are saying that Hill was the only one who fully understands the assignment policy and the others were ignorant to the details?