How much of the acrimony over the move to community based schools in Wake County is because of a lack of communication by the school board?
As noted in today's article, the Raleigh City Council passed a resolution in April expressing concern about the move to community based schools and asked for information on how the demographics at area schools would be impacted. Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker expressed irritation at Monday's East Raleigh CAC meeting about not having gotten a response to the request.
"They didn't feel they had to respond to us," Meeker said. "A city of 45 percent of the students expressing concern about what they're doing and they didn't bother to send a letter back to us."
Click here for the link to watch the video from the meeting. Go to the 52:30 minute mark.
In the school board's defense, the plan is still being developed so arguably the level of data that Meeker wants isn't available yet. But he and other critics of the board majority have talked about a "secret plan" having been developed.
Meeker has reached out for help in forming his new group to analyze the new plan in case he needs to encourage legal action be filed by a community group. This would keep the city out of being the plaintiff.
Meeker has reached out to Ann Denlinger, president of the Wake Education Partnership, and Harvey Schmitt, president of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, for help in forming the review group.
Denlinger said the school board isn't taking enough input from the public on what it plans to do.
"If the public is not broadly involved in this process...the plan itself will be short-lived and our school system will be damaged," Denlinger said.
Garner Mayor Ronnie Williams is no fan of what Meeker is doing, saying there's nothing in the "mayor's manual" for what he's doing. He said Meeker shouldn't even be raising the possibility of legal action.
But Williams said he's concerned that the school board isn't doing enough to get the public involved in the process. Williams, who supports the new board majority, said both sides need to sit down and talk right now.
"Cooler heads can prevail and must prevail before there are more demonstrations and more protests in the streets," Williams said.
School board member John Tedesco, chairman of the student assignment committee, has said there will be multiple community meetings to get input on the new plan.
School board chairman Ron Margiotta said Thursday that there will substantial citizen input into the process.
Comments
The election was public input
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 22:54 — MarvinSchwartzAccording to the junta and its supporters, the elections that elevated them to power are all the public input that is needed. The course has been (or will be) charted by those who are right while others are wrong (according to "Einstein" Malone).
The junta executed a coup d'etat at their very first meeting (ousting the sitting chairman six months early) to install Margiotta as chairman and adding items to the meeting agenda without public comment or consideration. When they did actually seek input, like with the parent survey, they simply ignored whatever was not in concert with their objectives.
That's why I can't help but laugh when people like Tedesco chastise his opponents for not sitting down for coffee. What in the junta's actions in the first seven months in power leads anyone to think they are interested in input or compromise? You can excuse one for coming to the conclusion JT wants to sit down with Ms. Petty to explain why he's right and she's wrong, not to actally hear what she has to say on the subject.
If the junta (and I use that word on this blog for a reason) had actually sought to work within the mechanisms of the board to develop a well-researched, coherent student assignment plan, then maybe there would not be such animosity and distrust of the new majority. But they immediately asserted their authority with a "we won so get over it" attitude and hurriedly implemented sweeping policy changes with seemingly little forethought. And really - this whole "we're changing the entire student assignment plan and we'll tell you what it is when we've actually figured it out" is a lot like building the plane while you're flying it.
The junta has acted hastily, unilaterally, and without forethought in nearly everything they have done (see Enloe name change) and should expect to be called out.
Agreed.
Sat, 06/26/2010 - 15:57 — tmfortnerWell said. Many on this blog are of the "we won get over it" mindset as well. Nevermind that we didn't all get a vote and many that did didn't show up. Our community has become divided over the issue of diversity and as we argue, this majority is hastily forcing it's agenda on our district with little regard for our students or education.
election 101
Sat, 06/26/2010 - 20:13 — loriacSo, quit whining and get ready for the next election - this is not new news how the school board reps are elected.
No kidding, do they need a tissue?
Sun, 06/27/2010 - 21:36 — g88ky07That was always Patti and Lori's position, we won, we're in charge, get over it!
"We didn't all get a vote" and who is to blame for that? State leaders for telling you that you don't deserve to, or yourselves for not fighting harder to make that a reality. A reality that most of the rest of this state has. Why is it that Wake County doesn't deserve what 80+% of NC has, the right to vote for all, or a majority, of their school board? Again, who are you blaming? Look in the mirror before you answer!
To the "many that didn't show up", boo hoo, I still have tissues if you or they need one. Look in the mirror on that one and you'll clearly know who to blame!
Get over it or change it, it's just that simple and the recent elections are your proof!
Part of the preparation is
Sat, 06/26/2010 - 21:14 — user12345Part of the preparation is calling the new board members out when they make errors ... did you think everyone was going to roll over and play dead? Get use to it ...
What errors? An overwhelming
Sat, 06/26/2010 - 22:47 — woodstockWhat errors? An overwhelming majority of people in Wake County appreciate the efforts of the new board majority and support them. THAT is what you need to get used to. Their broad popularity helps explains the bizarre antics of folks like Barber, Tyson, and Petty; they are desperate.
Woodstock with such
Sun, 06/27/2010 - 10:12 — user12345Woodstock with such overwhelming support from a landslide victory and a mandate from God I wonder why the opposition bothers you so much ... surely, you would agree the new members are human and make mistakes?
Who is bothered? I am just
Sun, 06/27/2010 - 10:32 — woodstockWho is bothered? I am just enjoying the new positive changes, showing my support, and pointing out the lies and misinformation perpetrated by the angry ultra-left-wing fringe opposition.
As for making mistakes, sure we all make mistakes, but so far the new BoE has acted nearly flawlessly. I am confident they will continue their winning streak.
Sorry ... I have not seen
Sun, 06/27/2010 - 14:20 — user12345Sorry ... I have not seen any positive changes yet ... they did not increase funding, decrease class size, address graduation rate, implement Kipp, start VoTech, retain good teachers, find a consensus, .... so far they, hire another lawyer, moved a HS up the road for a supporter, repayed Leesville PAC, blindsided some Garner kids and moved them to SE, tried to rename a HS to quiet dissent, made a big deal of income / racial zoning plan that will affect 5% of the kids ... your level of accomplishment is rather low if you consider their action so far great.
Excellent summary of the new
Tue, 06/29/2010 - 17:04 — zandeExcellent summary of the new boards "accomplishments."
LOL yeah, if I had your
Sun, 06/27/2010 - 15:06 — woodstockLOL yeah, if I had your blinders on, I might feel the same.
This is how I see it as
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 23:35 — ksinclairThis is how I see it as well. Good post.
Where we are now
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 11:51 — RKCurtrightThe issues and agendas of the new BOE are a basic Yin and Yang. There is clear unbalance of the needs, visions, and creative ideas of the citizens of Wake County. It is quite similar to what the prior Board was accused of. I have to be honest that I was not aware of much the issues of WCSA. Some are quite valid and I'm glad I have had opportunity to understand it more fully. I think there is room for change and improvements in WCPSS through truly listening to the groups out there. I agree with what Janistango said, in that most of the citizens of Wake County are moderates and do not identify with one group . There are many in this blog I have studied by reading this blog from its fruition in 2008. I have much respect and have hope for a brighter future within our school system. I do not believe this new BOE majority will succeed in the long run unless they start trusting their staff, listening and making decisions based on consensus, and gaining a greater understanding of the diversity of Wake County. Leadership done right involves more thought,consensus, understanding,and responsibility. I hope some in this blog who have been involved for years and truly understand the issues will run for School Board. I would vote for someone from WCSA. I understand how you felt in 2008 and much of the frustration you shared. I feel it now. It is a sad, frustrating place to be ignored by your school board and this is what is missing from many decisions being made the last 7 months. I have never been a black man, but I can try to understand how difficult it might be and how advocating for equity has importance. I have never been a poor child but I can imagine that is might be a difficult road. I have never had to worry about whether the neighborhood I live in will grant me a quality education and a good teacher. I also do not live in Apex, but I can imagine how frustrating it must have been to have had to bear the brunt of growth and policy 6200 and having little control over the assignment changes. This current wave is not the best way to lead our school system.
COST: Make changes after we have the money to afford and support a change to a community based school system. More children will fail if we do not have the resources available that teachers and students will need. Read the book: "leading with Equity" in Montgomery County Schools.
It costs lots of money to create equitable schools.
Enloe: The name is a part of our history and a landmark for many. The good, bad, and the ugly of it is many historical landmarks are named after people who have stood for and against many social and political debates of their time. If Enloe was born in this century would he have stood for the same things? Do we hold it against every person who did not know better? Ignorance is to be forgiven. Simply, it willl cost money & we cannot afford that. We accept our history. History is a part of what has made us who we are today. We are OK with Enloe's name because the name represents where we have been and how far we have come!
Thanks for the balanced perspective
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 14:41 — refusingtobeunkindI agree, some changes needed to be made by the previous board. But throwing the baby out with the bath water, fixing what ain't broke, starting a whole nother thing, should NOT be the solution.
Based on my observations, it's important to note that most of the passionate opposition - to year round, to kids being on the bus, or to having "problem children" in "our schools" - and the push for nostalgic "neighborhood schools" - seemed to come from parents of elementary school students.
But, I saw this in my own and my friends' families: Once your kids are older, you panic less about how they'll fare at school; you start to trust the school, the teachers, and your child to handle things appropriately. Being on a bus longer, and being with different kinds of people, is not a minus, especially for older kids; in our family it was a plus. (The bus is where the kids got their homework and socializing done.)
I think completely changing EVERYthing does a great disservice to our excellent, nationally and internationally-lauded school system.
Perhaps its naiive & I haven't thought of all the consequences, but: maybe, just maybe, things could be modified for some elementary schools (in Apex and Garner, from whence came the loudest screams?), keeping diverse elem. magnets and year-rounds for those many families throughout the county that want them, and keeping magnets, year-round, and diverse-er student bodies (involving some busing to keep things level) at the middle and high school levels? Of course, this would still require that every school receive enough resources (in some cases supplementary resources) to help all kids learn well.
My simple point is, the passion and fury that led to this Bd majority being elected, seems to swirl mostly around the littler kids ...
When they were small, our children went to the "base school" (although I sent to a magnet later in elementary), then all of them went to magnets for middle & high school. It worked out perfectly for us -- and we managed even to swing the couple of years we had one on a traditional calendar and one in year-round.
Again - I don't think that we should toss out all of the many uniquely good things about Wake County schools to start a whole new zone thing, especially when that's not what most of the families in Wake County want.
Internationally Lauded?
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 18:11 — Bob_SconceI'm not even sure it's been nationally lauded, except among the ivory tower education industry. Please cite internatonal recognition that WCPSS, as a whole, has gotten. (The IB program doesn't count, since international recognition is built into that.)
A lot of the anger does come from Elementary parents because they're often more affected -- there's often no need for child care for a middle schooler due to Wacky Wednesdays, but there is for a 1st grader. The majority of year-round schools are elementary, and elementary schools suffer the most under reassignments because there are so many of them.
Again - I don't think that we should toss out all of the many uniquely good things about Wake County schools to start a whole new zone thing, especially when that's not what most of the families in Wake County want.
Really? "All the good things" disappear? Isn't that a bit over the top? I suggest that the good things about Wake County will stay intact. The teachers will stay the same, the facilities will stay the same. Assignment doesn't affect curriculum. If anything, zones and the stability that comes from them will let more good happen.
Thank you for the very nice
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 13:34 — jenmanThank you for the very nice post, Rhonda. WSCA tried to bring in people such as yourself and it was hard. The issue is so politicized and has been since I moved here in 98. Mention that you have doubts about the busing policy or want to look at a neighborhood or cluster schools design and you're automatically branded an elitst or racist. The liberals and moderates in general won't have anything to do with you--the wall is up. Same thing on the other side. Say that you still value diversity and aren't interested in a strict proximity model and the conservatives want nothing to do with you. Their wall goes up. And it has all fallen down party lines. Perhaps the greatest outcome of this is that we are all starting to recognize that it's not just black and white. Shades of grey as SDR says. Well, the politicians haven't recognized it yet, but I think us 'regular' folks have. ;-)
I agree with you about Enloe. Changing the name doesn't make sense to me--waste of money, time, and energy.
I disagree with you about the cost aspect though. Or at least I see it another way, or actually 2 ways. 1) If we wait until we have 'enough' money, it will never happen. We will always find an excuse for why it's not the right time, why we're not ready, why it can't work. It reminds me of the 'we'll have kids after our careers are established and we have the right sized house and have a nest egg started, and. . . .' argument. There is no 'right' time to have kids. You can always find a reason why it's not the right time.
2) We can always say "it's not possible, there's not enough money to do what we want, or pay for what we need". And that's true. I cannot imagine a scenario where we could ever have all the money we need to have everything we want for this school system. But we can never get better if we don't dream big. I used an analogy at the St. Francis forum about my experience in the interior design field. It starts with a 'big' idea. One that often has elements that 'can't be done'. Things that seem impossible or impractical and sometimes they are. They can't be done in the way that we originally envision them because it is physically impossible or because the budget isn't there. But we can pare the design down a little or substitute less expensive materials that still give the same effect. I remember one of our first projects in design school was designing an office space. One girl wanted to have this glass walled round conference room in the center of her space and we all thought she was nuts. There were load bearing columns in the way, among other obstacles. She wasn't able to do her round room in the center, but she ended up with an oval room off to one side which ended up exposing some angles that she designed the rest of the space around. She didn't end up with her original grand design, and her final project wasn't as amazing as what she originally had in her mind, but it was still really awesome and creative. It turned out a lot better than if she had given up on the original idea and went with a rectangle in the corner like most people ended up with.
I used to think that our current system just needed some 'tweaking' and then it would be ok. Now I believe that not only are there serious flaws that need more than tweaking, but that I'd rather not just tweak a flawed system to make it a little better. I'd rather create something new and much better. I understand the other viewpoint and the apprehensions, and there are valid concerns. I won't deny that and I share some of them. But I'm ready to dream big instead of just staying afloat by plugging the holes with reassignments and magnets.
Balance and Objectivity
Sun, 06/27/2010 - 14:36 — RKCurtrightJenn & All,
We probably agree being on the defensive and offensive keeps us away from objectivity. Until we can look at issues with balance, the walls and lines in the sand will continue.
I agree with you, the greatest outcome of this is that we are all starting to recognize that it's not just black and white. Shades of grey as SDR says.
Nice to see we agree on Enloe. Changing the name:waste of money, time, and energy.
Your analogy from design school is interesting. Most of Wake County is supportive of big ideas. Mistakes made have created more division, which will not lead us to a richer educational experience for our children and all children.
Policy 6200 has been in place because it is much more affordable to spread the resources in the schools and bring the students to the schools than to build up the resources in each school. An equitable education holds challenges, and more money for WCPSS is a must for any change to be successful.
I agree we can learn a lot from the last year. We learn more from the storms than we do from calm waters. Change is good when we have respect for our past, present, and future. It is what makes us strong as a county. I envision Wake County as a Great Oak Tree. The acorn was planted in Raleigh and it grew up and out .The branches reach now out into Rolesville, Zebulon, Wendell, Holly Springs, etc. Each branch is a part of the whole and makes us stronger. The roots are firmly planted and expand to the edges of Wake County and nurture the tree so that it can grow even stronger.
As you said,” It starts with a 'big' idea: with elements that 'can't be done, that seem impossible or impractical and a need to pare the design down a little or substitute less expensive materials that still give the same effect. “This is what you do when you include all voices and visions into your changes. Success and sustainability will be created when we all listen with responsibility, fiscal goals, research, analysis, slow & deliberate decisions, consensus, and respect for where we have been and where we are going.
1. When we are ready, we need a bipartisan group with members from WCSA, GSIW and other citizens to share ideas, attempt to learn different perspectives, and build consensus.
2. No more political promises in BOE elections please. Will the promises kept build up our school system? It is good to give parents and politicians what they want, and it a sure-fire way to gain support, but…there needs to a balance of education, cost, growth, needs, and wants in making decisions at individual schools. Rolesville, Leesville. and Lacy promises makes some strong arguments. In the end will we see that they might have made a better decision if they incorporated parental wants along with the issues with growth, cost, and need?
3. Trust must be earned. Bipartisan eyes are necessary or we are blinded by our own perspectives. Great power comes with having a majority of five & sticking together. This power will only get you so far. It is ultimately the power of all people and utilizing our differences as an influential resource that will enhance the effectiveness of our school system. It is what organizations strive for. It is what is called diversity.
4. Our PTA was intended to advocate for the education and well-being for all children by being a resource for families and communities. Our school PTA’s have become fund raisers for playground improvements, computers, and smart boards ( if you have families with money to contribute). More money for schools will give each school more resources and the PTA opportunity to assist as it was intended.
5. Program enhancement like foreign language immersion programs in every school by utilizing ESL students and families would be a great step for improved academics.
6. Assignment zones and our School Board districts must incorporate all that is great, what hold challenges, and makes Wake County strong. Together, the regions should be a pentagon with the core-center being where Wake County growth began, which is in Raleigh. Each region should start out in our core and expand out wider, including the rim schools, suburban school zones on up to the higher growth suburbs. Each region will have incorporated all the benefits and challenges of WCPSS.
7. We either change our School Board elections to system wide elections or we change our School Board districts to align with the regions which incorporates the downtown magnets, rims, & suburbs. We must build a school district on inclusion and understanding. Our districts have one person representing totally different dynamics of Wake County and then we expect them to come together and vote on what is best for the whole of Wake County?
Bipartisan
Tue, 06/29/2010 - 23:29 — SDR256Rhonda -
I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised to find the 'shades of grey' reference. I hope it will spread. I find your bipartisan idea interesting, but it would exclude some of us who are unaffiliated. Therefore I will see your suggestion and raise you one: a NONpartisan group. I think the children deserve that. I think there are a few politicians who would deserve it too. ;)
"When we're ready" is also an interesting concept. I'm ready. Are you? How is 'ready' defined? It appears that GSIW is not ready yet. They systematically cleansed their distribution lists of anyone they knew were openly associated with WSCA. I no longer receive their meeting notices as others I know do not. Doesn't keep us from knowing about them, because we have lots of undercover 'crossovers' - but its too bad. They have a great opportunity here to show leadership.
After attending one of the meetings, though. I understand why they've done it at this time on the political schedule. There was a lot of call to political action - elections etc. Understandable. I just wish a 'meta' group could form that was disconnected from the politics. However, sometimes wishes, if they become a shared vision, can come true.
Paying for change
Thu, 07/08/2010 - 09:15 — RKCurtrightSarah, Jenn, & all,
Yes, Nonpartisan. Our School Board policy expectations are nonpartisan decision-making on behalf of all children. I agree, all children deserve us to act like civilized adults with the ability to discuss, share ideas, and come up with ideas which respect the diversity of all people who live here. It sounds so simple. It is what we teach our children.
Those who have remained committed to WCPSS over the years, such as you, care about the direction of our school system and Wake County. We are at a point where changes are happening. It will take all perspectives and all inputs to build up and improve the education of all children. There is purpose in all sides of this. It is finding middle ground by constantly learning from one another that we find sustainable answers.
What I mean by “When we are ready” is when we have time and also when we can sit together and be open to all the needs and perspectives. What is difficult about groups that exist today is the level of disrespect and attacks which keep us on the defensive. Being on the defensive and attacking others keeps us from truly listening and learning from one another.
GSIW tries to educate the public with research, forums. There are people who use the tactic of purposely tearing down groups & use information learned from these discussions to attack. It makes it hard, though not impossible, to be inclusive. NAACP has been around for decades and they have accomplished much for children and adults who have needed a voice. WCSA was created to get their message of change out there and succeeded in electing 4 strong candidates to fulfill your vision. There is a time and a purpose for groups. Now we must come together with respect for not just 5, but all 9 board members who have a right to contribute their knowledge and represent many perspectives.
This is why forming a group with varying perspectives is where we will find the sustainable changes for WCPSS.
An important question: What do you think about funding levels? If we were achieving relatively well given our low funding levels, how are we supposed to do better with a different system and STILL low funding levels? What will new programs do to truly serve the disadvantaged population and all children?
I think her argument is that
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 15:57 — carson79I think her argument is that it's irresponsible to move to high poverty schools when we have not committed to supply the funding to make them successful, in the face of the research that shows it costs more.
I think it's a balancing act - you seem to be saying the problems of the diversity policy outweigh the risk that our move to high poverty schools will be unsuccessful and that the kids stuck there will be harmed. That's a risk a lot of us are not willing to take without some analysis - of costs, a plan, etc. They put the cart before the horse it feels to me.
Of course if I felt like many do that the government does not have the right to mandate diversity in my child's school or classroom, then I would not want any analysis done at all because I fundamentally would disagree with any diversity provisions.
Outstanding post.! I love it.
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 15:45 — woodstockOutstanding post.! I love it.
well said
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 14:53 — Athey01and finally someone who provided a good analogy...good job.
"Cooler heads can prevail
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 06:42 — HJ2ss2"Cooler heads can prevail and must prevail before there are more demonstrations and more protests in the streets."
Wise words from Mayor Williams. Nothing will be resolved as long as everyone involved approaches the issue with personal agendas. This is no longer about what is best for the students.
Mayor Meeker sounds like he needs to take some lessons in diplomacy.
Williams
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 08:24 — bnartistWilliams was a hot head until he got black kids moved out of Garner back to South East Raleigh.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/2734247/
His diplomacy skills are not to be emulated.
I would hardly classify him
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 12:20 — jenmanI would hardly classify him as a hothead. I think he's actually one of the more level-headed mayors the county has.
The 27610 area code he
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 13:30 — danofncThe 27610 area code he mentions includes houses that are on Rock Quarry Road, just down from Jones Sausage. The kids in that area live closer to East Garner Elementary and Middle Schools than 90% of Garner's kids.
But, I'd bet that they don't end up in the "zones" for those schools.
thank you for posting
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 10:47 — carson79thank you for posting this! It is so important to state what is really going on.
Garner History
Sat, 06/26/2010 - 03:29 — jeffrey1Garner History goes back 10-12 years. Reposted from another blog entry:
Just a little history on Garner. Over the last 10-12 years, Garner had the reputation as being the dumping ground for Wake County schools. Back when there were just a few schools over the 40% threshold, Garner had the majority of them. The ED population in Garner schools was significanly greater than the ED population of Garner residents. Amy White served on the school board from 2001-2005 and represented Garner. She was pro-diversity, but ran on a platform that Garner was being singled out as the place where ED kids were bused.
Mayor Sam Bridges of Garner joined forces with Mayors Glen Lang of Cary and Keith Weatherly of Apex to form the Mayors Task Force on School Assignment back in 2003. The Task Force met for about a year, and spent $65,000 on a comprehensive study and review of Policy 6200, and produced a very good report. In the end, they were given 10 minutes to speak in front of the school board, and the report was ignored.
I also remember participating in a large protest of WCPSS with the citizens of Garner, but I don't remember what year it was.
I believe that East Garner Middle was recently given magnet status as a peace offering, but I am not certain.
Mayor Williams has continued to represent Garner, in the hopes of reducing the ED population in Garner schools.
Ahhhhh, interesting. Thanks.
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 10:17 — HJ2ss2Ahhhhh, interesting. Thanks.
As should the new BoE majority
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 07:15 — Dove314The way they conduct themselves is as much a part of the problem as any other aspect. There is no effort to build a consensus. It is their way or "go away".
Who on the earlier boards
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 11:09 — red_balloonWho on the earlier boards thought of paying attention to the brewing discontent in WC? How do you expect them to build consensus when faced with lawsuits, civil disobedience, disparaging labels, etc.?
So civil disobedience is an
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 15:31 — carson79So civil disobedience is an excuse to not build consensus? thank goodness people in history didn't agree with you there.
what are the disparaging labels you mention? not saying you're wrong, just wondering what you are talking about? kind of like the labels you put on magnet students, families and teachers?
Go ahead and resurrect
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 15:58 — red_balloonGo ahead and resurrect people from history and install them on the BOE. Oh wait. You can't do that can you? Maybe you should look at an alternative - living in the present.
?? You lost me. You said
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 16:07 — carson79?? You lost me.
You said that since there was civil disobedience, the current board should not be expected to try to build consensus. This is what I was responding to.
You alluded to history. What
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 16:26 — red_balloonYou alluded to history. What good does that do when the problem is in the present with a different set of characters? As for the current board, it is my expectation that consensus in at least some areas would be possible if some people moderated their approach. I don't expect the board to make conciliatory gestures while taking flak. If they prove me wrong, great. If they don't, then I am not surprised.
If you and others think that somehow the board will take all kinds of verbal insults and still sit down for a collaborative chat, I think a disappointment is likely.
I asked this already and you
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 16:28 — carson79I asked this already and you didn't have an answer - what verbal insults are you talking about?
I don't expect them to sit down with Gatewood, but I don't think that's who we're talking about here.
I don't think that blocking consensus because of civil disobedience was right in the 60's and it's not right now. That sums it up. I guess you really didn't mean that to be true but that's how your post read.
Earlier Boards
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 14:08 — jgegbgmgRed_Balloon - You keep making excuses for the current board by mentioning the previous board - Don't you think it's time to quit that and concentrate on what the majority board members are doing - As for that Williams guy who calls himself Mayor of Garner he needs to take a good look at himself and call it quits !!!!!!
LOL @ jgegbgmg, I double
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 16:20 — woodstockLOL @ jgegbgmg, I double checked, Williams not only "calls himself Mayor of Garner," he is indeed the duly elected Mayor of the City of Garner. You must live in a fantasy land where facts don't matter ...and people care what you think.
Excuses? Reality is that
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 15:20 — red_balloonExcuses? Reality is that they don't owe you or me anything better until the insults and inflammatory speeches die down. I don't see why they need to become magnanimous without an acceptable indication of cooperation from the other side. Place yourself in their shoes before burdening them with expectations.
Social engineering has reigned supreme for decades so my expectations are quite low when it comes to education. But for those of you who have great expectations, the fact remains that what ails WCPSS is not the work of one board, old or new, and that collaboration is needed to chart a new course forward. And no, it isn't up to the man at the helm to make the first move toward collaboration.
I'm pretty sure the
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 15:43 — danofncI'm pretty sure the inflammation started at the first board meeting.
Plus, the zone assignment model is social engineering. Any assignment model (except one like the town where I grew up) is social engineering. In the town where I grew up, there's a K-3, a 4-5, a 6-8, and a HS. They don't have social engineering.
My guess is that conflicting
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 16:04 — red_balloonMy guess is that conflicting positions were taken before 12/1.
This post does not make much
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 15:26 — carson79This post does not make much sense at all.
So you have given up on reconciliation? Why can we not expect better behavior from our Board?
what insults are you talking about?
It appears that prior to the
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 10:29 — HJ2ss2It appears that prior to the election of the new board members, everything was smooth. Board members seemed to follow the lead of the superintendent. No one questioned his decisions. I often wonder if they didn't know what was going on or if they condoned it?
Re the current group, I suspect, at this point, both sides are being adversarial.
Exactly
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 10:40 — Dove314Exactly -- complete agreement on your last point. But I would argue that the new BoE majority set that tone for all sides with their actions at their very first board meeting.
Regarding prior boards, I've wondered exactly the same. Did they know and turn a blind eye or if they really didn't realize. Suspect it was a differing mix of both across multiple topics. Either way, clearly some big problems developed and existing problems worsened under prior boards in the last few years further complicated by the high growth in WCPSS.
Absolutely right...it was at
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 11:12 — carson79Absolutely right...it was at that first meeting that the tone was set, and nothing has changed since then...the attempt to rename enloe when only 2 people support the renaming - Margiotta and Tedesco- is just the latest example..
If only 2 people support it,
Sat, 06/26/2010 - 03:20 — jeffrey1If only 2 people support it, it won't pass. You do realize that every idea ever considered by any government entity doesn't lead to action, don't you?
It's a bad idea, too expensive, and should be dead on arrival. Move on.
DOA? Why so certain?
Sat, 06/26/2010 - 07:00 — Dove314Why do you assume it is DOA? Given the lock-step with which the majority 5 move and that Margiotta and Tedesco are the "point men" plus silence from Prickett, Malone, and Goldman, why do you assume they would not vote to support any motions to change the name brought forward by Margiotta and Tedesco? Until even one of Prickett, Malone, or Goldman publicly states that they will not support changing the name, I don't think that your assumption of only 2 members supporting the name change holds.
I would be surprised if
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 11:04 — red_balloonI would be surprised if anything positive occurs until people quit labeling the new BOE as the greatest evil. The new BOE was put in place for a reason. Too bad we can't get the suburbanites to shut up and continue to put up with 'diversity' gimmicks.
Elected for
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 13:48 — Solon77From what I understand they were elected to: end suburban kids from being bused out of the "neighborhood" school, end PLT Wednesday, and end MYR at Leesville middle school.
Assignment - the system was due for an update to the assignment plan anyway. The new BOE contends diversity needed to be stricken from policy 6200 to move forward. I do not agree this had to be the case. A new assignment plan could have been fashioned to eliminate the doughnut holes and still maintain a balance. Even the early versions of JT's algorithim take into account some element of SES, whether it is based on home values or education and it still includes an element of providing an incentive for a magnet concept. That said - They took an assignment issue and made it a diversity issue, for political reasons.
PLT - I truly do not think the new BOE understood the valuable impact this was having on student achievement. Fairfax county, which JT held up as a model, end their Mondays at 1;25 ish. What they do the rest of the day, I do not know. But the wcpss teachers and administrators made very good use of Wednesdays. From a student perspective I know my middle and high schoolers made excellent use of the extra time to get caught up on homework.
MYR - cat out of the bag, tooth paste out of the tube. A lot of parents like the year round as evidenced by the survey. I think back to 1999 or so when the bond failed. The school board and system took for granted that with the high growth it was a no brainer, everyone could see we needed more schools. The usual conservative movement - the school system wastes millions of $ per year, we don't need schools...ect. The bond failed and year round was the alternative. The school system initiated a series of support group meeting and other intiatives to aid families in the transition.
Year-Round Group Sets Meeting for Parents
Parents, students, school leaders, PTA representatives and year-round specialists are invited to a support group meeting about making year-round schools work for families. The group, entitled Year-RoundTable, will hold its first meeting on Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. to discuss the mission and vision of the support group and brainstorm creative ideas to reach out to families in need of answers as they prepare for the transition. The second meeting on Jan. 27 will be a Track-Out Opportunities Fair where parents can learn about year-round programs. Year-RoundTable meetings will be held at Right Track Academy (8340 Bandford Way, Suite 001, Raleigh). For more information, call 919-846-1866.
In 2006 the conservatives were at it again. John Locke cited a survey that over 70% of the taxpayers supported year round in lieu of a bond that would result in a tax increase. The bond did pass in 2006, but the damage had already been done. The bond was mainly supported by Raleigh and Cary residents, while the high growth areas did not support the bond - go figure.
So here we are today.
"In 2006 the
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 21:41 — Apexter"In 2006 the conservatives were at it again. John Locke cited a survey that over 70% of the taxpayers supported year round in lieu of a bond that would result in a tax increase. The bond did pass in 2006, but the damage had already been done. The bond was mainly supported by Raleigh and Cary residents, while the high growth areas did not support the bond - go figure."
You're leaving out some key details.
The survey that determined that a high percentage of taxpayers would support a lesser bond with MYR attached was a carefully crafted push poll done by the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. They had decided up front that the higher bond levels --- ones that wouldn't require MYR --- wouldn't pass, so they carefully worded the questions to make MYR sound fantastic. The survey also showed that most of the participants didn't know much about year round schools before taking the survey, either.
The reason why the bond was more heavily supported by Raleigh and Cary residents, while not supported by the high growth areas? Those high growth areas were where families were being forced into MYR. Take a look at the Lacy community ---- before their school was pulled off the MYR chopping block, they were frothing at the mouth against it. Once they were assured that it wouldn't be happening to them, they jumped onto Harvey Schmitt's bandwagon and decided it was necessary.