Lois Nixon files for District 9 school board seat

Perry,My problem with the 40% FNR policy is that, frankly, its about the least innovating and laziest approach the BoE could take to solve the issue.  In addition, by taking that lazy approach, it causes all sorts of unintended consequences such as instability and the destruction of local community support.  Stability and and community support are two factors that (in my opinion) are a least as important to good schools as economic diversity.  I believe that there are far more innovative solutions out there for dealing with higher FNR populations. First, start with a logical assignment policy based on communities, not neighborhoods.  Sure, there will be some communities that have higher FNR than others but very few large discrepancies.  There may be a few schools with very high FNR populations.  These schools are where you implement you creative and innovative solutions such as KIPP, charters, etc.  There are tons of great, high performing schools across this country with large FNR populations.  Study those schools and try to replicate them.  The 40% FNR policy is a cop out.  Simply put.  Bussing is not a solution. It’s akin to sweeping it under the rug.  The data showing that the diversity policy is a failure is overwhelming.  How could it be working, we’re bussing does not address the real issues with these kids, its changes then name of their school. Respectfully,

Todd Shearer

What I find sad is that the 10 people steering WSCA could be so much more.  First, to get out the “angry” vote, they need to tear down the existing (Status Quo) people and system.  They need to say how bad things are, how many failures there have been, and how bad the elective officials are (often calling into question there integrity and motives).   Personally, this line of argument does not work for me … I am an optimist at heart and appreciate all the effort elective official dedicate to making things better.  Plus, WCPSS has not been a terrible experience for me, my neighbors, or my coworkers.  So, I am guessing it must be excruciating for some people to be so angry all the time.  I feel for them and would like the School System to help alleviate their pain.   What is sad is that the “slash and burn” criticism of the school system won’t be reversed or repaired overnight after the election and will drag down the system for years.  That will be WSCA legacy.

My pain is having grown up in places like Atlanta where racial segregation was institutionalized and how painful, unproductive, and sad that situation was as people moved from street to street to avoid Black families.  I see that same unproductive movement occurring here as people move street to street to get in one school over another which should not be occurring if the schools are equivalent.   I also feel sad for the WSCA folks since they seem sincere but much of their reform seems to center on eliminating the diversity policy.  Put aside YR and Calendaring which are good issues and not controversial to me - diversity is the key issue.  What is even sadder for me is when what I think are wealthy Western Wake White bloggers lament about the long bus rides, parental involvement, and AA graduation rates which I cannot believe they really know anything about.  It would be so much more powerful if the people actually affected where making those points like the MYR do.  I would like to see an ED parent come forward saying “the 16 mile trip for my son to Green Hope HS is too much.  I know his grades are great, he is able to take advantage of advance classes and is on his way to college but between the bus trip and my desire to attend PTA meeting I really want him to come back in Garner HS.”  Ditto the fact that many of the people wanting to eliminate the diversity policy and go to neighborhood school (and the hidden agenda “community schools”) will personally benefit by securing exclusive access to the “good” school which will pump up their property values which again seems evil.  Maybe some of there people don’t understand the consequences of their actions.  And when the argument is made by the Green Hope parents (as an example) it seems insincere on the surface and maybe condescending.  I wish we could agree diversity is good, a diversity policy is good and the question is how to we improve it not eliminate it.  There are many, many people who do not want to return to a segregated society whether by race, ethnicity or income.

(1)  Comparing Wake County with places like Detroit and Baltimore is approximately akin to comparing the level of violence in Durham with that of Fallujah.  Neither is good, but I know which one I'd chose to live in.

(2) I agree that funding to schools needs to be increased.  However, I don't think that the current board (or those who would continue its policies) has the correct priorities or the business acumen to know how to spend such increased funding wisely.  You saw this in the last bond referendum, which financed such things as a refurbishment of the weight room at Enloe High School, or the transportation scandal.

(3) Re: "affordable housing" and transit.  (a) everybody admits that poor students are the hardest to teach, so why do things to attract more of them to the county?  (b) these are outside the purview of the school board, anyway.  

(4) Re: Sen. Malone's "Life Work."  I have no sentimentality toward Sen. Malone or his "Life Work."  Without being too callous, it's sometime good that old people die, as old ideas and prejudices often die with them.  If the "Diversity Policy" is the best solution, then it should stay.  If not, it should go, regardless of how Sen. Malone would feel about it.

quit comparing WCPSS to urban-suburban school district places like Baltimore, Atlanta, Detroit, Syracuse, there is NO comparisions appropriate to those areas.....NONE.

Char/Meck is the closest comparision that's why it is used.  and the hope is NOT for segregated schools (tired old poltical ploy) but for INVOLVED neighborhoods/parents which WCPSS does not allow for now with reassignments at whim.