Praise and awards for outgoing board members

The outgoing school board members left without throwing any real verbal bombs today as they were showered with awards and praise.

The outgoing board members spent much of their final comments thanking their families and school administrators. They also stood behind the decisions they made.

"Parents haven’t really liked what was done," said school board vice chairman Horace Tart. "But we always did what we did with the children in mind. That was the big picture."

With the spectre of new board members cleaning out the staff, the old board members repeatedly praised staff for their service during their comments today.

School board member Lori Millberg praised Supt. Del Burns and his "incredible leadership team." She said it's "unfortunate" that the public doesn't know that Wake has a team of "education superstars" who are known and respected statewide and nationally. She said they're often recruited by other districts.

Millberg apologized to the staff if she at times has “been a bit outspoken” speaking passionately for the children.

Similar praise for staff was echoed by the other board members.

In his remarks, Tart said he's leaving feellng that the "schools in my district have really been improved by the work of this board."

In perhaps a message to the new board, school board member Patti Head talked about how she thought she was prepared when she joined in 2001 after having spent many years of community and PTA work. She said she learned things aren't so simple.

"There’s no silver bullet or easy fix to complex problems and challenges," Head said. "Every decision that’s made affects good folks.”

Drawing an analogy to how Brownies are supposed to leave the campsite better than they found it, Heads said she felt she was leaving the school system in "great shape."

School board member Eleanor Goettee said she's carried out her promise to District 9 voters of being responsive and visible. She said she feels satisfied with what she's done after having spent "every last minute" of the past four years trying to improve teacher quality.

The board comments came after a round of awards.

Diana Bader presented the four board members the state PTA's highest award, the Distinguished Service Award. She said it was in recognition of their “unselfish contributions” to the children of North Carolina.

Saying she was speaking for herself, Bader also praised the outgoing board members for their support of student assignment policy 6200. She specifically singled out their support of magnet schools, socioeconomic diversity and mandatory year-round schools.

Bader praised Wake for being one of the few districts in the nation to stand up against resegregation.

"You have stood tall as a model for this great nation," Bader said.

Jennifer Lanane, president of Wake NCAE, presented the four board members with the Friend of Education Award, their group's highest honor.

Among other things, Lanane said the board members had helped calm the fears of staff during the year-round calendar conversions three years ago.

School board chairman Kevin Hill presented the board members with plaques thanking them for their service. The plaque noted their support for the graduation goal, the curriculum management audit and professional learning teams. While not spelled out, it could be read as praise for their support of this year's Wednesday early dismissals.

“We have one of the best school districts in the nation,” Hill told the board members. “I want to thank you for the role you had in making this happen.”

Supt. Burns had his own praise for the outgoing board members.

“You have served honorably and I value your dedication to children," Burns said.