The quick summary of the message from Thursday night's meeting is that neighborhood schools and political conservatism are bad.
As noted in today's article, the teens of N.C. HEAT argued that neighborhood schools will lead to resegregation and that the Wake County school board majority is controlled by conservative groups. The teens didn't have nice words to say about Steve Noble, chairman of Called2Action, and conservative businessmen Art Pope and Bob Luddy.
Enloe High student Robert Wright said the school board's policy is being set by Called2Action and Pope. He said members of the board majority are "puppets used by conservative organizations."
As previously noted, Wright is the son of Calla Wright, president of the Coalition of Concerned Citizens for African American Children.
Wright added that the school board majority is "pushing an agenda of right-wing politics and privatization." He said they're "fighting the oppressors of Wake County."
Fellow Enloe student David Eisenstadt said Caled2Action is a "homophobic organization" led by tea-partiers and the radical right. He brought up school board chairman Ron Margiotta's ties to Called2Action, where he was a founding member.
The teens again brought up how much money Luddy and Pope had given during last fall's election campaign. Eisenstadt said that while it's not confirmed that Pope and Luddy now secretly are giving the board majority money, he told the crowd it’s possible.
The teens noted the various conservative groups funded by Pope and his family.
"We plan to fight these organization till they fall," Wright said.
The teens asked the crowd of more than 50 people to "take direct action" by going to Tuesday's march in downtown Raleigh and that afternoon's school board meeting.
(Before you guys say it's just Enloe students, NC HEAT also had teens from other schools, including Southeast Raleigh, Athens Drive, Middle Creek and Green Hope.)
"It's either paranoia, propaganda or misinformation on their part," Pope said of the charges from the students.
School board member John Tedesco said the adult activists are "brainwashing the kids with propaganda."
"It's a shame that these adults are using these kids as weapons," Tedesco said.
In the crowd Thursday was Dante Strobino, a union organizer affiliated with Raleigh F.I.S.T. (Fight Imperialism Stand Together), a self-professed socialist group. Strobino was one of the protesters arrested at the March 23 meeting.
Strobino didn't speak Thursday but received hugs from audience members and NC HEAT members.
Another audience member, the Rev. Curtis Gatewood, 2nd vice president of the state NAACP, did speak up.
"This school board has been hijacked by a conservative extremist element of the community," Gatewood said. "They’re pretending that they have a mandate. They do not."
Gatewood accused supporters of neighborhood schools of giving false choices.
Gatewood said one false choice is saying that poor parents will be able to be more involved if their kids are in a neighborhood school. He said most poor parents don't work in their neighborhood.
Gatewood said the other side must be "assuming that poor parents are home watching BET."
Gatewood said the other false choice is telling people that kids will perform better in neighborhood schools. He pointed to how high poverty schools generally don't have the high quality teachers found in more affluent schools.
Comments
Learning by Example
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 20:28 — dgraffPerhaps these students weren't "manipulated" by parents or opposers of the "new majority". They were "educated" by all of the soundbites on local TV featuring civil disobedience and disrespect. I defend their right to share their views, but am sad that they seem to be mis-informed and are trashing people they have never met.
I personally know Bob Luddy and know imagine he would be open to a constructive dialogue. Have any of the students tried to have a conversation with him, Art Pope, or any of the school board members? Perhaps not, as is easier to accuse and attack those who cannot respond than to have a one on one conversation with someone with an opposing view.
Sadly, despite what I believe to be a sincere and passionate effort on their part, the words of these young people are a mere regurgitation of Barber, Gatewood, and the opposers before them.
Opposing neighborhood schools? Would these, or any students and families honestly be willing to "go the distance" and travel to a school without all of the academic perks? Not likely.
It's easy to get caught up in the heat at these meetings, I know I have. But conversation is more productive than confrontation.
Students, contact those you are upset with and see if they will meet with you rather than continue with these public "hit and runs".
Remember, you get more flies with honey than with vinegar.
That's funny, these kids
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 00:39 — true_freedomThat's funny, these kids won't talk to the board? More like the board won't even take time to listen to the kids.
You honestly think Pope and Luddy would take time to sit down and talk with these kids? The question that needs to be asked is why do all these advocates for privatization of education back a board for public schools? Not only that, but Margiotta is a trustee for a private school. Obviously there is a conflict of interest.
Anyhow, what I think you all should be focusing on is the fact that youth actually feel a need to be involved in this movement. Does that not say something? Wait, I forgot... they are being brainwashed by the liberals! It's all a conspiracy!
Trying with honey
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 12:05 — dgraffFirst, Yes, I honestly do believe that if respectfully approached, most people, including Pope, Luddy, the board would be open to a productive conversation. The "nature" of the public comment periods at both the BoE meetings and County Board meetings are not a"conversational give and take" they are a "commenting session". It's not time appropriate or productive to make it an open discourse session hence the format.
Secondly, I and others I know sought and was granted individual meetings with board members, members of the WakeEd partnership etc. and was able to sit down one on one (or small groups) to discuss our views on MYR, etc. The "trick" to getting someone to meet with you or "listen" to you, is to respectfully "ask" for a conversation, and listen to them rather than just insist on being heard.
Thirdly, put yourself in the place of the board. If someone requests a meeting and prior to that meeting your experience with them included nasty email and/or a public condemnation of you and your views, how willing would you be to give that person your time to experience more of the same?
Finally, our egotistical society is bent on believing that because someone doesn't agree with you, they are not listening.
... you still didn't answer
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 14:53 — true_freedom... you still didn't answer my question. The fact is you can't justify their actions no matter how hard you try. I love how you point out that our "egotistical society is bent on believing that because someone doesn't agree with you, they are not listening". Aren't you exactly the same way?
What I love even more is how we are so divided by "liberals" and "conservatives" that nobody can even come to an agreement on one single thing. It's time that we all work together, that includes liberals and most of all conservatives. It's time to face facts guys, you aren't ALWAYS right.
Answering Your Question
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 21:05 — dgraffI have NEVER said I was always right in ANY facet of my life.
I apologize for not answering your question, as there was alot to consider in your post. Bob Luddy ran unsuccessfully for WCPSS school board. He is passionate about education, so became a founder of the Franklin Academy (Charter School) which has been very successful and each year has a long waiting list. Since NC caps the number of charter schools, he sought to continue the "direct learning" model by the opening the Thales Schools. Improved education, private, public, charter can only have a positive impact on our society as a whole.
Goodnight opened Cary Academy as a "model" for the public schools....their tuition is triple of what Thales' is. As mentioned previously Goodnight and his wife were proponents of the school bond forcing MYR, etc.
If it's outrageous and a "conflict" for Margiotta and Luddy to support good education (in a private school or otherwise) the same should have been (but was never, ever said in the N &O or media) said about the involvement of Goodnights in WakeED partnership or any other facet of WCPSS.
?
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 15:01 — Bob_SconceYou mean your question about why advocates of private education are involved in school board races? Maybe it's because they recognize that a lot of students are educated in public schools and they care that those schools are well-run.
Until
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 15:59 — Solon77they care that those schools are well-run.
There in lies the issue. The private school advocates are in their own little world. Until they can show a track record in obtaining achievement for all walks of students (ESL, LEP, Disabled, ED...ect) they do not have any credibility with me.
Interesting....
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 16:12 — Bob_SconceBy that standard, Kevin Hill, Keith Sutton, Carolyn Morrison & Anne McLaurin shouldn't have any credibility either.
Pope & Luddy
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 12:15 — dgraffSo what if Pope and Luddy were contributors to the WSCA and the candidates they supported?
It's convenient that the contributions of Jim Goodmon (Capital Broadcasting), Jim Goodnight (SaS) and Orage Quarles III (N & O) consistently go un-noted. It's absurd to think their money and influence is completely altruistic.
The WakeED partnerhip helped fund the nasty commercials directed at Tedesco, etc. They raise $1million a year in order to be "voice" in the school system and were a strong media and financial influence in the last school bond (which funded MYR) they supported. Goodnight's wife was the chair.
WakeED came into the schools promoting the bond and MYR, opposers were NOT allowed to speak at these meetings, nor were their questions answered....it was up to the discretion of the PTA's who took their lead from admin.
So, please, bloggers and students, give me a break about the board being the puppets of Pope and Luddy...look back in recent histoy to see whose really been in charge and where it has gotten us.
Yes dgraff
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 16:50 — choice4allLet us not forget how Goodnights wife and all LIED and told everyone to "just pass the bond and we will discuss MYR". Never happened. In fact ALL those people that cried chicken little disappeared after the bond passed. It is also interesting to see the precinct numbers from that bond ref. The numbers for yes were all heavy in the magnet precincts where none of those children would have been affected by the Forcing of MYR. So ya'all at WakeCares and ALL the parents who objected to the forcing of Year Round calendars ALWAYS handled themselves with respect. There were no shenanigans played, no race baiting played, no pirate hats worn, no civil disobedience. None of that. In fact if everyone recalls ,who attended those community engagement meetings, there was a mom at the Leesville meeting who went over her 3 minutes and security escorted her out and she was not allowed back in. That was for JUST going over 3 minutes. Patti Head and Rosa Gill had her removed. (rolling eyes) can't imagine what Patti and Rosa would do if such civil disobedience happened on their watch.
Escorted Out
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 21:10 — dgraffI was at the meeting when the parent (a mother) was escorted out. She wsa frustrated as she had called and written P.Head numerous times over her concerns about MYR and was NEVER responded to.
I was with her and an N &O reporter when she was escorted out. She begged to stay and said she would sit silently by the security guard, but he told her no. He was polite and respectful and just said he was doing his job.
The story was never in the N & O.
Hmmmmmmmmm
Yup
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 23:43 — choice4alland I don't recall the Mom taking over Pattis chair at that meeting. ">)
Perhaps many of these kids
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 22:33 — zandePerhaps many of these kids actually experienced the benefits of learning alongside peers from diverse backgrounds. Maybe they know something the so called adults on this blog do not know or have not experienced. Maybe the kids are actually schooling the adults here.. Think about it...
Then again, think about the
Sat, 07/17/2010 - 10:45 — CaryCurmudgeonThen again, think about the speech the young man from Enloe made where he used the analogy of a basketball team, and how he thought that magnet schools were like giving less-skilled players (ie. F&R kids) a chance to plan on the same team as all stars (ie. he and his non-F&R friends). Of course, the non- all stars sit on the bench, except at graduation ceremonies. His speech revealed how some of these pirates do not look at those F&R kids as equals.
For the life of me I still cannot understand how people can defend a system where a privileged few have access to a private school-class education while those around them fail.
Actually
Tue, 07/20/2010 - 00:51 — TrailerParkGirlI think that particular gem was from SE Raleigh. It is really hard to keep the 'NED are A team while ED are B team,' the 'I wouldn't have been exposed to a pregnant teen if I didn't go to school with poor kids' and the 'sea of black faces' comments straight. Clearly, "diversity" exposure is helping them not stereotype and see others by the content of their character. I'm sure being exposed to a middle class student who thinks he's the A team while ED are the B team does wonders for the ED kids' self-image. Thankfully, they have him as a role model so they can look up to him and see the A team lifestyle. Give me an A. Give me an R. Give me another R. Give me on O. Give me a G. Give me an A. Give me an N. Give me a T. Rah, rah, rah.
Don't forget
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 16:57 — choice4allthe former Enloe girl who was so happy she shared the same hall with, well ya know, that pregnant girl. It made her feel so very diverse. And the basketball speech kid was well rehearsed and I remember him pointing his disrespectful little finger at the board. I still think they all need a switch to their behinds!
What pirates are you talking
Sat, 07/17/2010 - 11:08 — zandeWhat pirates are you talking about? I don't know what you can infer from that speech but I can tell you that in my experience f&rs, non f&rs, ed, neds, esl's and all of the other alphabet soup all work and play and hang out together. Out of my kids friends I have no idea who is what letters of the alphabet they are but I can tell you that we have a very diverse crowd here for weekend sleep overs, parties before ball games and concerts, study groups etc. Just my observation FWIW.
I can infer a lot from a
Sat, 07/17/2010 - 18:17 — CaryCurmudgeonI can infer a lot from a speech. This was not an off the cuff remark, it was a written and rehearsed speech. And it came out loud and clear that this student felt the F&R students were inferior.
If magnet schools offered the exact same curriculum as non-magnets, I do not believe that many magnet parents would have their kids bused to these schools purely for the sake of diversity So when these same parents and students start waxing philosophically about how diversity has changed their lives, I am skeptical.
And I don't have magnet envy. My wife and I chose to send our kids to school closer to home, no regrets. But when I look at the have- and have-nots in magnet schools, I am sorely disappointed.
We already have 1/3 of WCPSS schools that enroll over 40% F&R students. The numbers show that magnetizing every school in Wake County would do nothing to close the achievement gap. I don't have the solution, but I know that magnet schools is not it.
I can respect that position.
Sat, 07/17/2010 - 20:12 — zandeI can respect that position. I doubt that many families would send their kids across town only for diversity. That was never assumed by the magnet model. Our daughter drove this whole idea in our family. She wanted to go to Ligon b/c of the dance program. I would not have picked that school for her and I could not have cared that much about the diversity thing. But after the first year I was amazed at how much she got out of being in a multicultural environment. I remember when it hit me.. I was at her spring dance gig and the program was amazing. I really do think that her attendance there changed her life and it opened my eyes even further to how much we can all learn from each other. BTW, I am somewhat of a curmudgeon myself, so I can relate to your view but my mind was changed.
is this specious diversity?
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 00:40 — red_balloonhttp://www.carynews.com/2009/11/04/14267/dollars-have-built-taller-walls.html
Many areas of suburban Wake County look much like Christine Bonin's neighborhood, Park Village in western Cary. White families live alongside blacks, Hispanics and emigrants from India, China and elsewhere.
"We counted, and we have 63 nations represented in our school," said Bonin, who is president of the PTA at nearby Davis Drive Elementary School. She said the school has diversity without forcing children from East Raleigh to ride a bus for more two hours each day.
Funny you left these quotes
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 06:26 — magnetParentFunny you left these quotes out from the same article:
"But the analysis also shows a county split by income into halves. If all children went to their neighborhood schools, poor students would cluster in the county's eastern half while students from more affluent families would be concentrated in Wake's western side."
"In Wake County, the strongest divider may be the price of real estate. For all their racial diversity, neighborhoods such as Cary's Park Village have only students whose family can afford a home valued at $200,000 or more.
"I can afford to live in this particular neighborhood in Cary," said Andrea Owens-Byrd, a Park Village resident. "But we can't all do that. And those kids in other neighborhoods deserve a quality education too.""
I don't expect you to
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 11:46 — red_balloonI don't expect you to believe that the definition of diversity goes beyond economic diversity.
I know it does. But by the
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 11:55 — magnetParentI know it does. But by the definition as specified in the old Policy 6200, the paragraphs you neglected to quote, which I did for you, have relevance.
Policy 6200 has a totally
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 21:57 — red_balloonPolicy 6200 has a totally mangled definition of diversity.
You seem to be saying
Sat, 07/17/2010 - 22:59 — woodstockYou seem to be saying non-magnets are not diverse. This is not even remotely true. Wake County is tremendously diverse and it is reflected in all schools. Also, you claim to have appreciated the diversity at your daughter's school; however, "diversity" in Wake County is defined by reported family income, so how did you determine it? What does that look like? Forced busing has nothing to do with creating a "multicultural environment."
A most pertinent question
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 00:47 — red_balloonA most pertinent question indeed @ how did you determine it?
Unless the magnet system comes with a freely available database of personal income and balance sheets, how exactly do the magnet people deduce that they are in a 'diverse' environment?
" ...can tell you that in my
Sat, 07/17/2010 - 12:13 — woodstock" ...can tell you that in my experience f&rs, non f&rs, ed, neds, esl's and all of the other alphabet soup all work and play and hang out together."
It is wonderful they "play and hang out together" so do my children in non-magnet schools. Unfortunately, they do not all sit together in advanced courses -- became ED kids and minorities are discriminated against for entry into these classed -- or go to the graduation parties together -- because only about half of the Fn'R student earn a diploma.
I am curious WS. You said
Sat, 07/17/2010 - 12:26 — zandeI am curious WS. You said that you were badly abused by the school system in a prior comment. What in the world happened? Also, have you ever applied to any magnet programs for your kids? Are there any that you think you would want them to get into?
Once again, this not about
Sat, 07/17/2010 - 12:58 — woodstockOnce again, this not about me. Thousand of families have been abused by the system.
Why do you continue to ignore the poor performance of ED students -- even in magical magnet schools -- and the discriminatory practices of the status quo?
It is about you and your
Sat, 07/17/2010 - 13:06 — zandeIt is about you and your kids and my kids and every student in Wake county. You always make everything so political. You always seem to try and label people according to some political classification. You said you were so badly abused by the school system. That seems important to me. We all need to know when someone can speak directly to this abuse that you only obliquely refer to. I would love to hear the human story from you of how you were so badly abused.
I never "obliquely" referred
Sat, 07/17/2010 - 14:57 — woodstockSo, you continue to ignore the glaring faults of the status quo and support failure. Okay.
I never "obliquely" referred to my situation, but when I do discuss details it devolves into a personal discussion that does not fully represent all that was wrong with, and still lingers from, the status quo approach. Either your side has an argument or they don't. So far it appears you do not have much to stand on.
Even if my family did not personally suffer from the unfair, social engineering practices favored by the extreme left's status quo approach, there are still thousands of families that did. It is way past time for change and the clownish and race-baiting antics of Barber, Gatewood Tyson, Petty and Brannon and the xenophobic comments from the Meeker's and their supporters are not going to impede the progress.
In a prior post you actually
Sat, 07/17/2010 - 19:58 — zandeIn a prior post you actually directly referred to how your family was "badly abused" by the school system. You have on many occasions referred to others who were abused thus the oblique reference. So did you personally suffer abuse by the school system as you said before? If you did then what happened that you thought was so abusive? I am curious as to what you consider abuse. How were you and your family abused? I am very interested in this b/c if you describe to me real bad abuse then I may have to change my position about the old board. You could win a convert here.. I really want to hear what happened to you that was so bad.
LOL You are a funny guy. I
Sat, 07/17/2010 - 23:10 — woodstockLOL You are a funny guy.
I never used the words "badly abused." So I am not sure where you are getting that. I am not a victim and would never let something get to a point where I or anyone in my family would be abused. But again, I am not discussing my personal situation with you or in a blog. The problems with the status quo approach and their policies are well chronicled, if you are not a yet a convert, you never will be.
I stand corrected. What you
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 10:09 — zandeI stand corrected. What you actually said was:
"I've described my situation on numerous occasions. Yes, I have children in the system and have been personally impacted in rather extreme ways."
My apologies. You did not use the term abused in reference to your situation as you have with others situations. I should have reread your statement prior to quoting it.
Dr. Phil
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 00:45 — Duhhuh666Mikey is trying to have a Dr. Phil moment
LOL I know. Ain't gonna
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 09:57 — woodstockLOL I know. Ain't gonna happen.
Woody this is not about the
Sat, 07/17/2010 - 12:23 — Duhhuh666Woody this is not about the "Alphabet Soup" students experience. It is about how it makes the magnet students feel.
I'm Sure They Have...
Sat, 07/17/2010 - 06:02 — JanisTangobut my kids learn along side kids with a 'diverse' background in a non-magnet program. I have nothing against magnet students or parents, but I think it's disingenous for any of the kids attending magnet program to say they are there because of the diversity. All of them are there for the extras they get and would not be 'attending' if they didn't have those opportunities. The truth is many of those magnet schools have much less 'diversity' than many of the schools in the outlying areas! Think about it....
Heroes? Given their words
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 13:17 — red_balloonHeroes? Given their words and actions, I wonder how long it will take to transform to Hate Emerging Amongst Teens.
LOL, okay, now they are the
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 00:41 — true_freedomLOL, okay, now they are the hateful ones? You are just as hateful yourself.
I don't know if "hate" is
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 00:56 — red_balloonI don't know if "hate" is the right word for NCHEAT. Right now it is interesting watching them play Don Quixote.
As for me, I am not just hateful. I am also a racist, bigot, misinformed, disingenuous, hmm ...sorry I kinda lost track but feel free to browse through my other sobriquets on this blog.
HEAT
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 13:40 — Duhhuh666Hate Emitting Angry Teens?
more propaganda
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 10:41 — essequamvideri"Fellow Enloe student David Eisenstadt said Caled2Action is a "homophobic organization" led by tea-partiers and the radical right."
David Eisenstadt? One of the plaintiffs in the N&O's - oops - I meant "concerned students" - lawsuit? Wasn't there a Steve Eisenstadt who was a reporter for the N&O? Any relation? Surely you would know this, Mr. Hui.
Last I checked, it is perfectly legal to donate to a political campaign. Who donated to the mayor's wife's campaign? Who is financing the lawsuit against the school board? Who donated to Meeker's campaign?
And after all, the infamous socialist Dante Strobino has been a professional agitator - paid by unions to show up & demonstrate at various Leftist causes & get arrested. I wondered when Dante would resurface. He attended the U.S. "Social Forum" - that's what they call the Socialist org'n now - up in Detroit about the time the G20 mobs were hitting the streets in Toronto. And Dante did attend the G20 demonstrations in Pittsburgh back in September. He travels across the country, organizing resistance to "capitalism & imperialism". These are simple facts - anyone can google his name plus "socialist" and see the results.
Bet it would be fascinating to see how many times Strobino has been arrested across the country - plus Canada. If he gets arrested next week, then the Southern Coalition for Social Justice attorneys can bail him out again, just as they did when he got arrested up in Butner.
As far as NC HEAT - there are 16 members. Wow.
Looks like the extremists & racists are turning up the heat, all right.
Mr. Hui is essequamvideri correct?
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 12:57 — PACK_MIKE77David Eisenstadt? One of the plaintiffs in the N&O's - oops - I meant "concerned students" - lawsuit? Wasn't there a Steve Eisenstadt who was a reporter for the N&O? Any relation?
I've never met the man but
Sat, 07/17/2010 - 01:48 — KeungHui (author)I've never met the man but apparently he worked at the newspaper 14 years ago. He left before I started here in 1999.
This has been discussed on
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 22:36 — zandeThis has been discussed on this blog before.
Another magnet led effort. I
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 09:56 — red_balloonAnother magnet led effort. I guess the monopoly on extra resources really makes it worthwhile to spend time vilifying those with different experiences and beliefs.
How about those darn magnet
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 22:37 — zandeHow about those darn magnet people red? You are one broken record....
Do you ever pause to think
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 23:02 — red_balloonDo you ever pause to think what you and the rest of the parade sound like? And to think the public has to suffer another round come 7/20. :|
What a blessing
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 09:27 — logosisdeadto have a community of teens who are engaged in politics! And here detractors of the students are pointing fingers! Imagine, when a student agrees with you, you call them students, when a student starts to engage in the debate about their education, they are called manipulated. An engaged citizenry is the basis of a sound democracy. We should be celebrating engagement, not demonizing it. If the facts bear out that the new board's direction is best for students, these students will engage and discover that. Oh, now I see why student groups like this need to be suppressed... they may find out the truth about the board's real goals and motives.