It does seem at times that Wake County school board member John Tedesco's life has a Horatio Alger feel.
As noted in today's article, Tedesco grew up in poverty and was constantly on the move as he dealt with the consequences of having a drug-addicted mother. Now he's a prominent school board member in one of the nation's largest school systems and a vice president of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle.
"My life has been a crazy ride," Tedesco said. "God has a plan for me."
Tedesco's life is under scrutiny from critics, even more so than other members of the new board majority.
More than a few e-mail messages have come in questioning details in Tedesco's past as critics look for things to use against him.
Critics have focused on how Tedesco was fired from his job as borough administrator in Highlands, N.J. in 2002. Tedesco said it was a case of small-town politics. Even John Urbanski, a town councilman who pushed for his firing, says it was for political reasons and not for job performance.
People have also questioned details such as how Tedesco has said he has a bachelor's degree in public administration. It's actually s a degree in political science with what Tedesco says is a concentration in public administration.
But by and large, Tedesco's background checks out.
"These things really happened," said Helen Jones, a childhood friend who's known Tedesco for nearly 30 years. "They're all true."
Tedesco has got interesting stories to tell, such as what it was like to be the administrator of Highlands during the time of 9/11. The town became an evacuation point for people fleeing Lower Manhattan and a transfer point for supplies and personnel going into Ground Zero.
Tedesco talks about walking people looking for lost family members to the ferry parking lot in Highlands. If the vehicle was still there, the person wasn't coming back.
Tedesco did survive a near-fatal car crash as an adult, survive a tenement fire as a child and sleep in his car in the summer during college to save money.
Tedesco believes his life experiences offer a unique perspective into helping low-income students. But supporters of the diversity policy disagree.
"What's important to me is that the policies he advocates and pursues are not in the best interests of the public schools," said Tim Tyson, a Duke University historian who led the Tedesco must go chant at last month's HK on J rally. "His personal life is not the issue."
Comments
Can't John find any Black or
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 12:41 — user12345Can't John find any Black or Hispanic leaders to stand shoulder to shoulder with him. While I appreciate his background, he sure seems like he is all alone with little support from the poor minority groups he wants to help.
One other thing
Mon, 03/22/2010 - 19:32 — changewcpss1John Tedesco stated in the article regarding meeting the needs of low-income kids: "...I have a plan to do something about it." But amazingly enough, NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THAT PLAN IS! Where is the plan John? HOW has the diversity policy "masked poor academic performance of low-income students?" STOP with the political rhetoric and give me data to support your argument if you are so sure of your agenda!
I wish the issue was
Mon, 03/22/2010 - 17:32 — danofncI wish the issue was educating kids instead of worrying about where to put them.
tired of the story
Mon, 03/22/2010 - 16:36 — changewcpss1Not to dinish John's hardships in life, but I am as tired of hearing about his downtrodden childhood as I was of hearing about John Edwards' poor beginnings. Do these guys have the same scriptwriter?
I think that JT's background
Mon, 03/22/2010 - 17:05 — jenmanI think that JT's background is important to the conversation because the issue is busing low income kids.
I can see that
Mon, 03/22/2010 - 18:50 — changewcpss1I can see that, but I think he is also using his history as some kind of justification for creating high-poverty schools. He says "Look at me - I went to a high-poverty school and I turned out ok." Which is great, but he is the exception, rather than the rule. Would you want YOUR kids going to a high-poverty school?
I did
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 00:18 — TrailerParkGirlI do go to high poverty schools (assuming you consider about 70% FRL high poverty) and turned out more than OK. In my school district that did not make me an exception either. If I could wave a magic wand and recreate my ES school here I would send my kids to it. There is much more to what makes a good educational experience than %FRL. That said, I believe his point was more that he was a FRL kid, so he knows what it is like.
No one is trying to create high-poverty schools, which BTW already exist here. One third of schools are currently high poverty as defined by WCPSS. It is about creating community schools and focusing on achievement, stability, encouraging family and community involvement.
Selective community and parental involvement
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 07:16 — Dove314Be very careful in the use of the term involvement please. The board majority
does not truly seek the input of ALL parents and ALL community members as the elected
representative of all citizens in a district or across the whole of the district. Instead, their definition of involvement is selective. They'll happily tell the parents and the community what they see as parental and community responsibilities and call that one way directive "involvement".
Involvement
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 13:55 — TrailerParkGirlI'm not sure how the Board has used the term "involvement".
When I use "involvement" I mean in the sense of things like mentoring, tutoring, volunteering, being in the schools themselves, financial support, etc.
In the sense of input, I would call input on policies, assignments, etc. community/stakeholder "community input", not involvement.
Sorry for the confusion.
Since the WCPSS definition
Mon, 03/22/2010 - 19:29 — woodstockSince the WCPSS definition of poverty is dubious and quite possibly enormously fictitious, I don't think we really know if we have high-poverty schools or not.
As for the fact that Tedesco may be exception, we can learn from that. What are the things that made him -- and others like him -- an exception and how do we identify and package those things to increase the number of exceptional students we produce in our system?
well if you are so sure
Mon, 03/22/2010 - 19:34 — changewcpss1What IS the WCPSS definition of poverty and how is it so subjective, IYO? Put some content behind your conjecture and maybe I'll weigh your opinion. But right now, you are just as full of hot air as Mr. Tedesco.
The WCPSS definition of
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 11:27 — woodstockThe WCPSS definition of poverty? The poverty level in Wake County schools is defined by how many students have parents that sign them up for free or reduced-priced lunch (FRL). There is no verification or auditing process, WCPSS just takes people's word for it. Some estimates put the fraud rate between 50-75%.
since you have so much
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 13:28 — user12345since you have so much problem with that metric, we can also use %pass EOG/EOC, %graduate, etc. ... amazingly, they all correlate with F&R% ... ultimately, the same kids and schools will get the same resources either way ...
Sounds like you're just jealous
Mon, 03/22/2010 - 21:54 — g88ky07I concur
Mon, 03/22/2010 - 19:12 — Dove314I can admire him for what he has achieved and still think it wrong of him to try to use that background for political gain.
Should he -- and we --
Mon, 03/22/2010 - 19:40 — woodstockShould he -- and we -- ignore the fact that he has personally experienced many of the challenges the at-risk students in Wake County face? Isn't that relevant to his understanding of the situation? Doesn't it provide him a perspective most of do not have?
For Tedesco to dismiss his early life and not clue us into the insights he has would be like a cancer survivor dismissing the fact that he or she once had cancer in a discussion about the challenges of chemotherapy.
are you so clueless?
Mon, 03/22/2010 - 19:54 — changewcpss1Did you not see my statement re: he is the exception rather than the rule? If you asked 100 people from the same background he came from, how many do you think would think that going to a high-poverty school was the best thing ever???
You missed my point
Mon, 03/22/2010 - 20:15 — woodstockYou missed my point entirely. And, I don't think Tedesco ever said his experience was the "best thing ever."
You need to pick up the pace with your posts, I am losing interest in anything you have to say.
I don't see much difference
Mon, 03/22/2010 - 19:17 — DrActualFactualI don't see much difference between JT and Chuck Dulaney saying that they want to "change things" based on their belief systems--they are just polar opposites in what policies they want to change and how they go about approaching/implementing the changes. They both assert their "beliefs/religion" guide them in their perspective toward education reform.
Implementing changes
Mon, 03/22/2010 - 20:09 — Dove314How are they different in how they implement changes?
Steering clear on any other comparison of JT and CD.
Since JT is BOE and CD was
Mon, 03/22/2010 - 22:29 — DrActualFactualSince JT is BOE and CD was staff I guess CD could technically only recommend changes but he pretty much ran the show and the previous board rubber-stamped what he suggested. I'm sure the process of BOE members running thru the nodes then and now has not varied much. I think the stark difference between these two godly gentlemen is that John has experienced great adversity while Chuck went to Occidental College and likely led a far more privileged life--our experiences shape who we are and I think JT will prove to be more family-friendly in his approach. CD always struck me as a bit more rigid. I don't want the assessment/observation to seem personal--they both have worked in the manner they deem comfortable. Enough said.
Thank you
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 22:44 — louiselee44Thanks Keung - great job
Keung, thank you for the article!
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 13:53 — NWRaleighMomJT is an extraordinary guy! I hope his skin is thick enough to withstand status quo supporters.
I agree. Again, I don't know
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 17:19 — red_balloonI agree. Again, I don't know what he will manage to achieve but that he is swimming against the tide for disadvantaged children is to be commended.
So he shouldn't listen to
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 14:03 — Dove314So he shouldn't listen to anybody but his campaign supporters?
Anybody else is the dreaded "status quo supporter"?
His answer
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 20:11 — louiselee44"So he shouldn't listen to anybody but his campaign supporters?"
According to Keung's article, Tedesco states who he's listening to when he says, "God has a plan for me."
Separation of church and state
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 20:19 — Dove314So much for separation of church and state.
Dove314
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 22:34 — louiselee44You are kidding, right?
Yup...
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 21:32 — Bob_SconceI found the following quote from Tedesco quite troublesome:
Oh...
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 21:32 — Bob_SconceMy bad. It turns out that the quote is actually from George Washington.
Fortunately
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 22:30 — chaboardhe wasn't trying to govern the world!
BTW, no idea if it's true or not but this quote is listed as "spurious" here:
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/George_Washington
well...
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 01:13 — Bob_SconceIt could be spurious -- I just pulled it off the web from what looked like a legitimate site. But, I think my point still stands -- if you want to remove all influence of faith in politics, you would remove much of the founding generation and of every generation thereafter.
?
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 20:54 — Duhhuh666What? Are you serious?
Church and state
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 21:13 — Dove314Are you suggesting that religion should be playing a role in deciding the best assignment policy for the WCPSS? If so, which religion or all religions?
Yes...
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 01:21 — Bob_SconceWhich religions should play a role? As many as can inform the discussion and have representatives ready to give them voice.
Religion has influenced political decisions since before the country was founded. Out of all the things that inform a leader's decisions, why should his faith be debarred?
Ask Reverend Barber he wants
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 23:29 — Duhhuh666Ask Reverend Barber he wants to influence the board. The separation of church and state keeps the state from mandating a religion. It does not mean that only people void of religion can govern. He is stating his personal beliefs.
You might pose the same
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 21:35 — CaryCurmudgeonYou might pose the same question to those clergy members who signed that petition.
I do
Mon, 03/22/2010 - 07:20 — Dove314Not being hypocritical.
I have the same question of them -- isn't this a political matter rather than a religious discussion.
It is an education matter
Mon, 03/22/2010 - 07:42 — CaryCurmudgeonIt is an education matter rather than a religious discussion. If some clergy members choose to speak up, that's fine, but their voices should be no more potent than any other citizens.
And if other clergy members want to sign a pro-reform petition, it should be considered in the same light.
Listening
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 14:11 — starsonoursYou can listen to someone and still disagree with them. If you do something someone else disagrees with doesn't mean you didnt listen. It means you have different opinions on what action needs to be taken. You are assuming that if someone doesnt change thier opinion, they did not listen to you.
Of Course Not
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 14:04 — JanisTangoHe should listen to everyone, but whatever the decision that is made someone is going to accuse him of not listening!
But isn't that same argument
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 14:38 — Dove314True of every politician and every board member past and present?
At this point, I'd settle for listening period. They are more interested in listening to opinions about starting class later than questions and concerns about their assignment plans.
perhaps you mean acknowledgement
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 17:17 — red_balloonI think the BOE listens but perhaps what people want is an acknowledgement that they have been heard. But, then again, I don't know if that will appease all. Some will want the BOE to go a step further and explain why their point of view found no traction. And then there will be others who want an additional step and ask for justification. And those who want a debate. And those who want a reversal.
Each board member
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 17:47 — Dove314Each board member chooses to run for election, nobody makes them. They clearly knew what they were getting in to given their actions at their first board meeting, immediately after being sworn in. Their goal is to keep any debate on anything to the minimum allowed by law.
The law sets a low
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 18:13 — red_balloonThe law sets a low threshold. I hope they go beyond that.
Bravo Mr. Hui. This was a
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 12:37 — changewcpssBravo Mr. Hui. This was a fair and informative article on J Tedesco. He is a man of integrity and D2 is proud to call him ours. Soon all of Wake County will be singing his praises as well.
disappointing
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 10:42 — JaneknowsbestDo you plan to profile all the BOE members? Or at least the new ones, since the public knows so little about them?
I'm disappointed that none of JT's claims were challenged. Where is the proof that what he is proposing will help ED children? Shouldn't you have told readers that JT's "magnets" will be magnets in name only and not the schools that we know now?
It's misleading to describe everyone who disagrees with John as an opponent. They have legitimate concerns about what he has said he wants to do. (It's not even correct to say what he "plans" to do, because he yet to reveal an actual plan.)
Tea leaves
Mon, 03/22/2010 - 00:25 — SDR256"Shouldn't you have told readers that JT's "magnets" will be magnets in name only and not the schools that we know now?"
Do you read tea leaves? Do you have a crystal ball? How do you know this? Oh, I get it, you have super secret super hero friends. Do they whisper to you all the time or only at night?
that would be great!
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 17:14 — red_balloonShouldn't you have told readers that JT's "magnets" will be magnets in
name only and not the schools that we know now?
Time to end the magnet based discrimination.
Of interest
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 12:45 — Dove314I would find it of interest to read more about each of the existing seated board members rather than just John Tedesco or just the newly elected board members.
Keung -- any chance you could make this a series with one each week?
It could aid everyone in seeing each one as an individual. Caveat though -- they should be equally positive to the board member being interviewed.
Sometimes it's nice to read articles focused primarily on the good aspects of people and not concerned with negatives.