The current Wake school board may rue the day it agreed to reassign Brier Creek area families from Panther Creek High to Broughton High.
The board's decision to reassign those kids in February helped trigger Deborah Prickett's desire to run for the District 7 school board seat. Her son would move to Broughton in 2010 after having spent his freshman year at Panther Creek.
"I'd been interested in [running for the school board]," Prickett said in an interview. "But what they did with reassigning 26,000 students, I said, 'That's enough.'"
Prickett made her views public during the reassignment process, speaking at the hearing at Millbrook High School. Click here for the link and look at the 14-minute mark.
During her speech, she said she supported board member Ron Margiotta's call for a study of the effectiveness of the diversity policy.
She also said that "it's time for a change" and "neighborhood schools are looking like the right way to go now."
Prickett has attended meetings of the Wake Schools Community Alliance.
In terms of other issues, Prickett said she'd support having both Leesville Road Elementary and Leesville Road Middle on a traditional calendar. She called it a "mistake" to convert both schools.
Prickett has some firsthand experience as her son went to Leesville Road Elementary and she was a guidance counselor at Leesville Road Middle.
Comments
Wrong idea
Sat, 05/09/2009 - 13:35 — ReplaceBoardUser...the idea that the board needs to have some "look" to them is ridiculous. We need first and foremost smart people who know how to disect a complex problem, ask the right questions, and make solid decisions backed up with objective data. Secondly, we need parents who have kids in the system. We need board members who demand excellence and not mediocrity - who want to lift up the top as well as the bottom. We have *very few* on the board who meet these requirements. What we have are mostly liberal/progressive ex-educators who bury themselves in bureaucracy and misinformation from Chuck Delaney. It is these same people that have created schools where kids are more powerful than teachers - where teachers have to go to classes to learn how to restrain uncontrollable kids - where my kids teachers spend far too much time not teaching.
A board meeting is indeed sad to witness. If you have not been to a board meeting - go some time...
Once upon a time......
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 23:09 — WuptdoBriar Creek -- need to go back about 10-12 years. The developers of Briar Creek went to Cary first to run water and sewer and then be "annexed" into Cary. Mayor Lang and Company said no due to the expense of running lines up that far. Mayor Harold was around in those days as well. So the developers turned to Raleigh (before Darth Meeker) and they pony'd up the $3-4 million bucks for water and sewer and got annexation rights (great for their tax base).
Another, once upon a time -- WCPSS had the chance to buy the Outlet Mall in Morrisville for about $10 million dollars -- another wasted opportunity.
Another, once upon a time -- before Evil Chucky there was Ramsey Beavers. If you could get Dr. Beavers one-on-one, he was a wealth of knowledge about reassignment. At one of the (one-way) community meetings, at least afterwards, Dr. Beavers told several of us where he thought development was going to happen. If I recall, WCPSS either already owns the land or at least has first rights to a large tract next to RDU airport. This is where Briar Creek Middle & High School where going. Don't know what has happened since then. But if I was WCPSS, I would look at buying that land -- now!
Brier Creek to Broughton
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 18:52 — shank56"The current Wake school board may rue the day it agreed to reassign Brier Creek area families from Panther Creek High to Broughton High.
The board's decision to reassign those kids in February helped trigger Deborah Prickett's desire to run for the District 7 school board seat. Her son would move to Broughton in 2010 after having spent his freshman year at Panther Creek. "
Brier Creek was originally assigned to Broughton as a new subdivison as I remember. Brier Creek was then moved to Panther Creek, with a possible stop at Leesville HS (can't recall). The BC kids were assigned to Daniels Middle as well- they still are this year according to the map, though I'm not sure about the coming year, but with demagging and the BC to Broughton assignment, my guess is that BC will still be assigned to Daniels MS- a traditional calendar school. Leesville middle and high schools are so much closer to BC than Broughton or Panther Creek.
Ms. Prickett lives in a very large home in Brier Creek Country Club, as I google her info, and as a school employee , this cannot be a surprise to her. (Just making a statement of fact.)
So I continue to wonder, why there is not a big shift from BC to the Leesville schools, - dominoe from there - as BC is much closer to Leesville schools than Broughton . I've said before that the Leesville lobby- while hurting on calendar issues, continues to protect its base from a major shift that could accomodate BC families and fill the schools that will be demagged.
Her motivation to run seems
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 22:04 — Big_PictureHer motivation to run seems to be a personal knowledge of how it feels to be a victim of haphazard reassignments. I do not care that her home is worth 3 of mine. Knowing she can and will listen to her constituents makes me stand up and applaud.
Seems sad that you need "3
Fri, 05/08/2009 - 13:38 — user1234Seems sad that you need "3 of mine" homes to run to respresent ALL kids ... looking at the BOE with only one minority it does not look like it represents the 11% Latino, 26% Black, and 6% Asian school population.
Really?
Fri, 05/08/2009 - 15:45 — designmanuser1234,
It is becoming increasingly difficult to take you seriously when you get this petty. As far as I know, there is not yet a home-size requirement for candidates.
As for the ethnic make-up of the school board, it is a political race and the deal is who ever gets the most votes win. I am sure you are familiar with this process. And, since there is no ethnicity requirement to run for the school board and to-date no minority candidates have announced their candidacy, I am not sure what you are suggesting be done. If you have some thoughts on this, I am sure they will be interesting to read.
"I am not sure what you are
Fri, 05/08/2009 - 16:27 — user1234"I am not sure what you are suggesting be done. If you have some thoughts on this, I am sure they will be interesting to read. "
I am just hoping the candidates "look" different than the previous ones .... it seems like it would be good to have a cross section of ages, experiences, incomes and races to get a full perpective on how to improve. If you need to be wealth and retired to accept the $14k full time job it may not give us the broad perpectives we wants.
My suggestion would be that WCSA recruit a broad spectrum of candidates from a broad spectrum of society and not rely on retired wealth white candidates. Given that this is their first time out, I could see where they would stick with the same old formula to play it safe.
If you are member of WSCA
Fri, 05/08/2009 - 17:03 — designmanIf you are member of WSCA and support their views, I am sure they would be happy to consider your suggestions. But you don't seem to understand the dynamics of an election; it does not make sense to flood the race with many candidates. It takes a lot of time, money, and effort to support even one.
Also, who is the wealthy, retired candidate you are referring to? I do not know any candidate who fit that description.
Actually, you seem to be quite disengenuous in your comments. Hey, I have a suggestion, why don't you form your own PAC that reflects your views and recuit a "broad spectrum of candidates" of you own choosing... or better yet, announce your candidacy.
User1234 is also not
Fri, 05/08/2009 - 20:06 — CaryCurmudgeonUser1234 is also not very-well informed. Four candidates have announced so far. None are retired and wealthy. And one candidate is African-American.
BTW ... have you noticed Mr.
Sun, 05/10/2009 - 17:45 — user1234BTW ... have you noticed Mr. Hui only has posts for WSCA and CCLP activities and endorsements so getting information and alerts on non N&O candidates and groups is a little harder.
BTW can you read?
Sun, 05/10/2009 - 18:03 — AngelaWhttp://blogs.newsobserver.com/wakeed/cathy-truitt-running-against-tart-in-district-2
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/wakeed/rakestraw-on-diversity
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/wakeed/another-district-1-board-hopeful
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/wakeed/running-for-the-school-board
(and that took me about three minutes!)
Thanks that was helpful
Sun, 05/10/2009 - 18:59 — user1234Thanks that was helpful
my purpose is to enlighten
Sun, 05/10/2009 - 19:22 — AngelaWat least five people a day...
:>)
Sun, 05/10/2009 - 19:31 — SideburnsIs chicken on sale?
Absolutely priceless!
Sun, 05/10/2009 - 19:49 — g88ky07Absolutely priceless!
yes, yes i believe it is,
Sun, 05/10/2009 - 19:35 — AngelaWyes, yes i believe it is, check your local sunday flyers ;p
They Need To Build A School in Brier Creek
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 19:28 — JanisTangoI understand your point, but with the first reassignment plan that came out in November, they wanted to 'kick us' out of Leesville schools so the Brier Creek kids could take our place. They wanted to ship us 15 miles away. We live 3 miles from Leesville. How would that be fair to us? We've been assigned to Leesville since the day the opened. We at least got our high school assignment back, but they kicked us out of middle school. They need to build schools where the growth is and Brier Creek is a prime example of where a new school is needed. They shouldn't of allowed that area to be built without a plan for schools, but I do realize that is not the BOEs fault. Instead the BOE does need to plan to build schools for where the growth is. They are building a 4th high school in the Wake Forest / Rolesville area. That in my opinion is a huge mistake and is going to cause many more kids to be moved east to west to fill those schools!
Well...
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 20:22 — Bob_SconceI fully agree that there should be a high school in the Brier Creek area -- The population is too large, and it's idiotic that they were ever assigned to Broughton, tens of miles away inside the beltline. The school district knew Brier Creek was coming (how could they not?), yet chose not to build a new high school there.
However, the Wake Forest area seriously needs schools. Wakefield HS was built about 10 years ago. Since then, it had trailers added, then a "pod", then they took over a grocery store for a 9th grade campus and then added a "pod" to the 9th grade campus. You could fill an entire high school with the excess from Wakefield.
Bob what about the whole
Fri, 05/08/2009 - 13:32 — user1234Bob what about the whole "the area is not growing" arguement? .... are you saying the Brier Creek and Wake Forest could use the school more for convenience? Also, every penny we spend on a "new" school whether for growth or convenience takes away from the crumbling old schools that get pushed to the back of the line.
Huh?
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 13:05 — Bob_SconceNot sure I understand.
Wake County's growth is stalled, but that's due to the national economy and not to anything in Wake County. It will start growing again soon enough. Those schools are needed for growth. Brier Creek also needs one, for the same reason. Unfortunately, with Umstead, the Airport and the Durham County line, there's not much space out there.
WCPSS schools are on a renovation schedule. Heck, WF-R HS is getting almost completely rebuilt. If an older school is "crumbling," then the appropriate response is to either repair it or sell it off.
I'm harder on the school
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 20:08 — CaryCurmudgeonI'm harder on the school board, but that's just me. For years, the Raleigh comprehensive plan has shown huge growth in the Brier Creek area. The wonderful Mayor Meeker and his council control development, shame on them as well. And shame on our county commissioners for not forcing growth to pay for itself. But when I see Brier Creek kids bused about 10 miles to go to Panther Creek HS, and I see another high school (Green Hope) 2 miles down on the same road, I gotta believe that what we are seeing is in large part a planning failure.
But....
Fri, 05/08/2009 - 06:18 — Chris_HCC tend to agree with you when they built Panther so close to GH I was thinking they were crazy. But the whole Cary Park, Amberly etc..... area has filled up that school. My kids go and will go to Panther and we drive by GH every day on 55. It is just how WCPSS is - I don't usually agree with USER1234 on here but his suggestion to open a high school with 9th graders in the immediate area seems the best for the KIDS so they don't get moved and then moved again when the natural growth around the school fills it in.
It seems they will do the
Sun, 05/10/2009 - 17:34 — user1234It seems they will do the same GH PC dual school in Apex with Apex HS and H6? I am sure it will cause a lot of confusion too with assignments.
Do you care whether you go to GH or PC? They are so close and carbon copies does it matter? Just wondering. .
Panther Creek and Green Hope
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 13:09 — Chris_HI would not say they are carbon copies. My oldest attended both. I think Panther turned out to be good for him because he had a smaller class because he is in the first graduating class. There are good and bad to both. There was less offered at Panther - no Paeidia classes, no SAT Prep, less school spirit. He has had some very good teachers there and I have them impression that there is more diversity and less rigidness at Panther. My oldest states it is less clicky but that could be an anomaly of his class. However now it is very crowded and I am anxious as my younger child starts there next year. My children are very different and while one uses all the Honor, AP and other challenges my younger will test the IEP model. He is very bright but has some other issues with processing etc...
The year my oldest son spent at Green Hope was very different than Panther. I have to say I was very impressed with the program there. I cannot say they are cookie cutters. I think each of the High schools in our area are unique - Apex, Cary, Green Hope, and Panther. I think they all have pluses and minuses. Overall I am very grateful to the teachers and staff at Panther Creek with my son as he is certainly an individual - he went through the long hair period, he tends to be the guy in band shirts, out spoken politically etc... passionate about his ideals, he is a bit of a rebel. They all seemed to be able to see past his look and see the person inside. He has grown so much while there and they still allowed him to be himself and did not crush his spirit. Now he intends on going into teaching himself in the area of Social Studies - History/Psychology. They and we are proud of how he has progressed into the young man he is today. Sorry got a bit personal there but I was trying to give you the mother's perspective and since I had a kid that tested the system I thought you might find that interesting.
Thanks for the insights /
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 13:42 — user1234Thanks for the insights / history ... when they get together at the house ... they all alike anyway ... PC has the unique experience of growing up as a school .. everything is a first ... that only happens once when a school first opens ... also, "new" schools like PC typically get "new", young?, energetic teachers who get to be more innovative since there are no rules already in place. That opportunity results in a different mix of teachers than other established schools.
everyone must realize that
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 15:05 — AngelaWeveryone must realize that all seats must be taken by "family friendly" "ready for change" candidates and while it would appear that Ms. Prickett is a woman after my own personal heart, without a majority of votes on the new BoE, ain't gonna happen anyway....Ron has been the Lone Ranger too long, let's get him a MAJORITY VOTE!
www.wakesca.org
ABSOLUTELY!
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 15:40 — g88ky07Ms. Prickett, got any sisters or friends in District 2?
D2, the most clueless district in the county! Or so it seems!
I'll admit my first thought
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 15:39 — gwaihirI'll admit my first thought was "Another educator". Ms Prickett, however, seems to have staked out a very plain and unequivocal position of supporting the parents a bit more. Hope it works out.
By the way, you may not need to have every position taken by family friendly candidates. Anne McLaurin strikes me as being the type who'll always vote with the majority... with nine seats on the board, if 4 are Ron+newbies and 3 are old-timers, then she may vote with the majority 4 and preclude Rosa Gill tiebreaking. So what you NEED, at a minimum, is 3 winners who are family friendly.
while "in theory" I see your
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 17:02 — AngelaWwhile "in theory" I see your point and might even agree, however McLaurin's flip-flop on studying MYR was a done deal for me....wouldn't trust her, plus I still firmly believe that there is a conflict of interest with the Mayor's wife being on the BoE....but that's just me.
Ooo Wee I sure would like to
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 14:54 — Big_PictureOoo Wee I sure would like to see Lisa B's face when she reads that statement. She might well have to wait until October to reap the fruits of her labor but *how sweet it will be*. I'm smilin' for ya Lisa!
Payback.......
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 10:01 — WuptdoIt will be interesting to see what "puppet" Raleigh demokrats will bring out of the closet for district seven. This will be another dirty campaign but it was the BoE(er) and their supporters that drew the "line in the sand." I hope that Curt Strangler will remind folks of all the dirty tricks and accusations that Goette's folks used in the run-off election in district seven.
Good luck, Miss Prickett!
Goettee is District Nine, Head is District Seven
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 23:19 — FalcGoettee is District Nine
Head is District Seven