Raleigh city leaders are not happy with the school system's proposal to build a new elementary school in the Falls Lake watershed.
As noted in today's North Raleigh News article, Raleigh officials are asking county commissioners not to approve the purchase. Last week, the school board had agreed to offer $2.47 million for 30 acres at the northwest corner of Creedmoor and Shooting Club roads.
"The city administration and previous city councils have been consistent in opposing schools in the watershed," said Raleigh City Manager Russell Allen in today's article.
Wake currently has just two schools in the Falls Lake watershed: Brassfield and Pleasant Union elementary schools. Even though municipal sewer lines are typically prohibited there, Raleigh agreed to extend sewer service to both schools after their septic systems failed.
Allen also says that school administrators didn't ask city officials for input before pursuing the land purchase, nor have they sought a response since. This isn't the first time municipal officials have complained about being cut out of the loop when it comes to school sites.
The question now is whether commissioners will side with the school system or the city over the deal.
Comments
User1234--I also hope that
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 16:40 — jenmanUser1234--I also hope that they work together, etc etc. But I have to admit that a big part of me would like to see the Republicans sit this out and let the Dems fight it out. And I'm a Democrat!
I swear, the politics in this town baffle me sometimes, but its probably a broader southern thing rather than just a Raleigh one. Democrats aren't the same here as they are where I'm from, lol.
As for Anne McLaurin--I am disappointed that she didn't want to make an 'unfriendly' motion in that instance because it would have been the right motion to make. But I met her at the Garner Wake Ed Partnership Roundtable and she is just a very nice lady. *I* would have no problem respectfully disagreeing and making that 'unfriendly' motion, but I think that Dr. McLaurin is just too nice to do anything like that. But that was in the very beginning of her term. Maybe she will become bolder as time goes on.
I don't think that anybody should count her out. I was impressed that she showed up at the Garner roundtable--she was the only other BOE member who attended besides Horace Tart. She stayed for the discussion afterwards even though it ran over by at least 1.5 hours. At least she cared enough to hear the concerns of Garner leaders & citizens and they most definitely have legitimate ones. They can't be brushed off as 'whiny rich Northerners' like so many other areas are.
I don't disagree that she seems nice and intelligent
Thu, 01/15/2009 - 12:27 — Falcbut her district needs a BoE representative that is willing to stand up for what is right, even if it means not being so nice, especially when others on the BoE are not so nice. I thought Patti Head's tone with Dr. McLaurin was rather unfriendly.
Suspect
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 20:24 — SDR256I would stongly suspect, based on the fact that she is married to the mayor, that her role is that of a figurehead. Could be why she is not willing to speak on her own. She is a placeholder for other influences. That would be my instinct.
Thanks for the insights. I
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 17:07 — user1234Thanks for the insights. I don't know all the players and can not believe they are evil. It is good to have personal examples like you gave and hear how these folks work hard to serve the public.
Working together?
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 12:51 — Dadof3The notion of "working together across the demographics of all of Wake County" is a red herring. We have loving parents of all core beliefs and we don't simply meet where our children's best interests are served, particularly if we cannot agree as to what constitutes our children's "best interests." Does a strong union enable better education? I don't think so, but I don't doubt the conviction a loving parent who is solidly pro-union. Just don't sing kumbaya when we get together to "work it out."
That said, smaller and inherently more coherent and cohesive grouping of communities would find this hurdle less obstructive.
Reason #4598550 to break this leviathan up.
I wonder if Meeker and
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 07:54 — CaryCurmudgeonI wonder if Meeker and McLaurin talked about it last night.
it will depend outcome how
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 10:05 — AngelaWit will depend outcome how much they talk....can someone say (seriously) conflict of interest?
This will be an interesting
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 07:09 — vsheehanThis will be an interesting fight. The Dems of Raleigh asking the new Dem county commissioners to stop the BOE. Can you believe that someone is upset that WCPSS is doing what it wants without asking others input or just ignoring others input. I hope the Republicans on the county commissioners refuse to get involved and let the new Commissioners take the brunt of this fight. Let the infighting begin
“I hope the Republicans
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 11:13 — user1234“I hope the Republicans on the county commissioners refuse to get involved and let the new Commissioners take the brunt of this fight. Let the infighting begin”
I hope everyone works together – Democrats / Republicans – for the best interest of our children and to protect our regional water supply and finds compromises and concessions so everyone benefits.
That would be a beautiful thing but
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 12:49 — Falcdon't hold your breath. I agree with the previous post that it is in the Republicans best interest to sit this one (and probably more to come) out. The Dems are going to be looking for scapegoats for any fallout that are not other Dems and right now the Dems hold all the cards anyway. I think Harold Webb's performance shows that now that the Dems have all the power, they are not in the spirit of "working together" with Reps. No more checks and balances, no more incentive to work together on anything, just free reign.
I'll be surprised if Mayor Meeker, with his "I don't want to make an unfriendly BoE motion" wife, wins. I don't think he has great odds against Rosa and Harold.
Dems are the same
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 16:49 — supportwcpssAnd when the Reps were in control of the CCs they had no interest in working together either. That statement goes both ways. All you had to do was attend a CC meeting back when little man and his goons were in charge.
I realize both parties have done their share of not cooperating
Thu, 01/15/2009 - 12:38 — Falcat times, but it concerns me more when one party has the majority in all areas. I think the concept of "checks and balances" is important.
You are correct to a point
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 21:36 — Voice_of_Reason_In below national level politics, I believe it is possible for Dems to do a good job too. I wish we could even do away with political parties at county level because I believe political ideological in fighting taints good government at this level (the "rubber meets the road" level). At this level character and experience count for a lot more. I wish politics could be a small side issue. I can wish anyway. I just want my money spent on what is necessary, not on social engineering experiments that have no follow up.
I completely agree with you
Thu, 01/15/2009 - 05:15 — vsheehanI completely agree with you but the fact is that the Dem in Wake already have shown their hand . The actions at the last CC meeting show that the Dems plan to steamroll anything they want through. The Dem part has shown it has no soul just politics. I am quite sure the new CCs were told what the party wanted done and they did it. Not because they thought it was a good idea but because it would help their political ambitions to please the higher ups in their party. The CCs were suppose to be in control of school land buying but the minute the Dems got the majority the BOE stepped away from that concession and is now taking back the power of land buys.
The families only had the CCs to stand up for them. Now the families have no one unless the Mayors do something. Garner’s Mayor did it and was attacked at first. He did in the end get some concessions. Apex’s mayor has made some complaints but I would like to see him go further. I would like to see the Mayors banned together and try something.
The best thing at this point for the Republican CCs to gain some power back is to sit back and let infighting between the Dem CCs start. It will happen it always does. Then the dem losing the argument will have to banned with the Rep to get an influence. The one low man on the totem pole Dem will ensure the Republicans can get at least one ally. Therefore creating a swing vote, a swing vote creates a more democratic situation and less a political heavy hand.
Funny VOR I feel my response is more what one would expect from you and that your response is more what one would expect from me. Ah how having kids hurt by a system can realy effect you. Naa I just hate tyrants no matter what party name they run under and right now the Dem party in Wake is tyrannical .
As posted before, mayor
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 13:48 — CaryCurmudgeonAs posted before, mayor meeker's wife is on the school board, so it is highly unlikely that he would join all the other mayors in criticizing school policies and actions. I do think this is a conflict of interest.
At a minimum, I think the citizens of Raleigh should demand a statement from their mayor regarding his support or non-support of the busing policy. And he should recuse himself from all matters related to wcpss.
What?
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 20:13 — SDR256Mayor Meeker's wife is on the school board? Which one is she???
yessirree
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 20:20 — AngelaWDistrict 5 (South Central Raleigh)
Dr. Anne McLaurin
324 S. Boylan Avenue
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
850-8869/office
508-9012/fax
Term Expires: November 2011
E-mail Dr. Anne McLaurin (amclaurin@wcpss.net)
Anne McLaurin is family physician at the SAS Health Care Center at the SAS Institute. She uses her experience in medicine to better serve the needs of the community. Part of her effort includes volunteering at Alliance Medical Ministry and assisting with the YWCA Breast Cancer Screening Program. Mrs. McLaurin graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Rice University. She has been very active in PTA and is a member of the Wake County School Health Advisory Council.
Incest
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 20:25 — SDR256OMG
conflict at the very
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 20:27 — AngelaWconflict at the very least...you didn't know this, truly?
New news
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 21:54 — SDR256Nope. This was new news to me, truly. And so, it just goes to show that without a multi-faceted research approach, you just don't uncover everything. It takes time. So, to assume that the low income folks in the county understand the complexities of the plan is LUDICROUS! And unfair.
you are so right!!
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 22:00 — AngelaWI couldn't agree more...and thus WCPSS does more disservice to the ones they "claim" benefit the most from their policies!
spread the word on every little thing, it's amazing how much is not known by people who are trying to be "in the know"...it's soo complex and just ANOTHER reason to deconsolidate and tear this behemoth apart!