Here are two different perspectives on who is being "silent" about backing Wake County Superintendent Tony Tata's efforts to recruit more minority teachers.
In a blog post Wednesday for the conservative Civitas Institute, Bob Luebke questions why teachers who've shown up at board meetings to expound on the importance of diversity in student assignment are now "strangely quiet" in backing diversifying the teaching ranks.
But in an article in the latest issue of The Carolinian, Cash Michaels quotes from an e-mail message from school board member Keith Sutton blasting his colleagues for not speaking out in support of Tata's recruiting efforts.
Here's the text of that e-mail message that Sutton sent to his fellow board members on Tuesday:
"As critics attack efforts of what I think is a very noble effort of our Superintendent to increase the number of minority teachers, where is support from our board? Why are we silent? We have all agreed on goals such as improving educational quality, and closing achievement gaps, and have supported plans to accomplish these goals. Yet, as "Tata's minority hiring plan slammed" appears as a headline in Saturday's N&O, I for one, support the effort of our Superintendent to close the gap between our minority student population and our minority teaching force.
We may not all agree on all of the things that we do as board members or that the superintendent does. But it does seem to be quite inconsistent and paradoxical that we continuously talk about the failures of our minority and economically disadvantaged students and the strategies that are needed to improve their chances, but we don't support the things that will ensure they are successful. We parade speakers in from all over the state and country to talk about the resiliency in African American children and research on the racial achievement gap, and we do this for what? When the exact policies and strategies that they promote such as cultural competency and cultural relevance, we can't or don't support.
If we are serious about ensuring that minority and economically disadvantaged children reach their full potential, then we must follow through on that promise. All of these students will become adults, and when they reach that potential and if we can't support them as adults then are we really being truthful with them. Are we really being sincere in our own efforts?
I am certain that as time goes on, and the minority recruitment efforts prove to be fruitful, there will be some of our board members who are silent now, but will be quick to take credit for boosting the number of qualified black teachers and administrators, or to take credit for closing achievement gaps for poor, minority students."
So while Sutton and Michaels are challenging why members of the board majority aren't speaking out in defense of Tata's efforts, Luebke is asking the same question of "activist teachers."
"I wonder: does the silence mean these teachers oppose more minority hiring or the prospect of being assigned to a school based on its racial composition?," Luebke writes. "I guess it’s fine for activist teachers to fight for grandiose education and social goals – as long as those plans don’t impact them."
Comments
It might mean
Tue, 07/12/2011 - 22:09 — SatchHH1) That teachers are exhausted and demorialized and not speaking up about much at all anymore.
2) That the issue of minority teacher recruitment was not on the board agenda at all last year - UNLIKE the issue of student assignment, which was on the agenda a lot and a huge issue.
Lubeke (below) is way off target in his weird suggestions. More teacher bashing - which seems to be par for this conservative group and the Republicans in power these days. I really feel badly for teachers these days - they have one of the hardest jobs around and jerks like Lubeke insinuate stupid things just for kicks. At least Tata will stand up for them.
From the article: "I wonder: does the silence mean these teachers oppose more minority hiring or the prospect of being assigned to a school based on its racial composition?," Luebke writes. "I guess it’s fine for activist teachers to fight for grandiose education and social goals – as long as those plans don’t impact them."
CEOs running public schools?!
Sun, 07/10/2011 - 09:35 — paulastam"Jeffery1",
Children are not "stock" to be sold and bought on the stock market where CEOs are primarily concerned with maximising profit to ensure they get their HUGE annual bonuses and stockholders are content with their small dividends. Children are God's most wonderful creation - innocent, complex and in need of love and nurturing NOT the ruthlessness associated with running a lean for profit business...
You would have us believe that children are just like lambs to the slaughter where "anyone with an MBA or couple of stars on their shoulders can step in and run a school system"...WCPSS is not a sheep farm or a pork factory. So yes Jeffery1, I do strongly advocate for whomever leads public schools to have a solid grounding in education.
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
Your ignorance of what makes
Mon, 07/11/2011 - 15:13 — jeffrey1Your ignorance of what makes a good leader is frightening.
From School Leadership 101, qualities that make a good educational leader include:
Imperatives of educational leadership include:
Surely you don't disagree with these lists, do you? And where do you see a degree in education or experience in the classroom on those lists?
I can assure you that neither a degree in education nor experience in the classroom are prerequisites to becoming an effective superintendent.
FYI: The Army is a
Sun, 07/10/2011 - 12:25 — woodstockFYI: The Army is world-renowned as a premiere education and training organization and West Point graduates and individuals who reach the status of General are widely recognized as experts in leadership and organization.
Salutations for the General
Sun, 07/10/2011 - 17:29 — paulastamWell Woodie, if anything good is to come from General/"CEO" Tata running WCPSS schools at least our teachers will be healthy role models for our kids with all the push ups, sit-ups and morning drills teachers must do which include saluting him and yelling repeatedly, "Wadda we want, student achievement, wadda we want, student achievement!!!". Tata's seriously got pep-rallies planned for year-round and then traditional teachers to do just that I hear. Soon enough we'll be the West Point Public School System or WPPSS.
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
That sounds very good to me.
Sun, 07/10/2011 - 17:50 — woodstockThat sounds very good to me. If WCPSS can provide an education on par with West Point, I think a whole lot of people would be very happy. I also like the physical education aspect that you mentioned.
Keith Sutton is absolutely right
Sat, 07/09/2011 - 20:15 — Doctor_FeelgoodThose in the community who were using Diversity to control the Wake County School System could care a rat's butt about real equality and equity. I am just so glad that others are finally seeing the facts as they really are.
I have been very impressed with Tata from the very beginning and in the end we will have a much better school system.
I want to make sure everyone attends the Neighborhood Exchange event sponsored by Raleigh in September where Tata will be the featured speaker. Ironically Raleigh is all about building strong neighborhoods where people can live, work, go to school and play except for the black areas around the central business district. Those areas are the low hanging fruit for everyone but those that have historically lived in those areas. In those areas you can build a sustainable community by sending your children out to other areas. In those areas you don't need the other amenities that you find all around the city. In recent years we have turned these areas into magnets for the everyone except for the indigenous population. We are forcing blacks out every day by denying opportunities, even the opportunity to get an excellent education in the communities they occupy inside the belt line is an exception and not the norm.
My friends wake up, smell the BS and say enough is enough. You have a chance to voice your awareness of the game in October and November with your vote. Vote for opportunities that meet you where you are and not where others want you to be. Common sense led our forefathers out of slavery through the civil rights era. It is our turn to use that same common sense to sustain the gains and not keep settling for the crumbs off the table that it seems we have become so accustomed to accepting.
Capisci
You are so very right
Sat, 07/09/2011 - 20:54 — snordoneIt has not been about people, children, families, it needs to start now. I don't know that either political party really cares, but individuals within the parties do. We need to identify those people and give them the power to do better.
This is my personal litmus test: what was a person's reaction to the SAS Response published in the N&O the day before the BOE election? I know politicians and individuals who were angry at what was being done to children. I know people who were deeply sad and hurt. And then there are those who chose to deny that it is our reality - several of whom are life long educators and sit on the BOE. As you said, enough is enough.
why is that
Sun, 07/10/2011 - 21:17 — EBDarcyDidn't you say at one of Prickett's BAC meetings that it was just "coincidence" that that hit the news the day before the election? that you were upset with the media for making it a political issue? (Of course not many in the audience believed you.) Shouldn't the real test be whether the individual studied all the information, not just one piece that you support but which has plenty of critics, and make an independent decision?
Will the minority teachers
Sat, 07/09/2011 - 11:45 — red_balloonWill the minority teachers be hired in sufficient numbers so every AA/ Hispanic kid bused to whichever school has a chance to get inspired? Or will they congregate in one location dedicated to AA/ Hispanic kids needing role models?
I share yo concern
Sun, 07/10/2011 - 21:21 — EBDarcyI am also concerned about this. At this point the community is so suspicious of everything the GOP members of the BOE want to do, and Tata is part of their team by association, that one has to wonder. If the majority of minority teachers end up at schools where the majority of students are minorites that would just feed into the concerns of many in the community.
So....
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 15:30 — Bob_SconceAt what point does a board member emailing the rest of the board about a matter within the board's purview turn into deliberations and an evasion of the open meeting rules?
Why not?
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 18:26 — Dove314Why not ask Ms. Goldman or Mr. Tedesco those questions as well? Seems to come up periodically for them all? Wasn't it JT emailing around "evidence" (which was never provided despite an FOI request) early on the assignment process? Apparently BoE members regular forward BoE members' internal emails to non BoE members. Are there any restrictions on what can be shared with who at one point in time versus what has to be made a matter of public record and when? Or is it all about sharing whenever a BoE member wants with who ever somebody thinks can score them the most political points?
Note this reflects poorly on the "quiet" BoE member who "told" regardless of their political background. Guess it should be standard practice for the system to make all of the emails sent and received a matter of a monthly updated record. Would give the public a clearer way to evaluate the performance of those on the Board. Maybe phone logs as well. That way it is easy enough to see who is grandstanding, trying to make political gain, sharing information with their campaign staff and media consultants, etc. in contrast to those more focused on trying to do well by the kids in the system.
If you had all their emails, then you could judge just how many of them are using email perilously close to crossing the line into deliberatons and evading that open meetings rules. What is it? Five or more?
Fair point "Bob"...
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 19:06 — paulastamPaula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
You should trademark that
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 22:26 — FSandYOUYou could have it embroidered on a line of straight jackets.
LOL!
Sat, 07/09/2011 - 06:07 — woodstockLOL!
ROFL, post of the week!!
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 22:34 — CaryCurmudgeonROFL, post of the week!!
Look for my upcoming CD
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 22:38 — FSandYOUI've been cleared to sell them at all under capacity year round schools.
Taken from Leubke's
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 14:35 — saragalazinTaken from Leubke's blog...Over the past two years I’ve attended numerous school board meetings where I’ve heard many teachers expound on the importance of diversity and why WCPSS must keep the current school assignment policy.
Have there been any board meetings where the topic of minority teachers was openly discussed with the public and current teachers? Is this institute involved in education? How so? Is it true that currently employed teachers have spoken at board meetings? Why is this organization bashing teachers and accusing them of being silent (I didn't know they have a voice in anything) rather than questioning why politicians with no experience in education are dominating this election?
Leubke's blog
Sat, 07/09/2011 - 10:56 — youthinkso"Why is this organization bashing teachers and accusing them of being silent (I didn't know they have a voice in anything) rather than questioning why politicians with no experience in education are dominating this election?"
Answer, Leubke's blame game ran out of stream and he had nothing better to rant about.
Those who can teach, those who can't legislate. God bless America!
It appears Sutton's email
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 15:40 — woodstockIt appears Sutton's email -- and its confrontational tone -- was politically motivated... and probably written by Cash Michaels himself. And, it smells like a orchestrated effort to create more controversy.
Could "Woodstock" be...?
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 17:36 — paulastam...based on his rambling, time online, and hostile demeanor I'm starting to think that Woodstock resembles a Tea Party representative that had his home foreclosed and quit his job to focus on dismantling WCPSS...could it be?!
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
LOL I don't even know a
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 19:32 — woodstockLOL I don't even know a person from the Tea Party, but don't let facts get in the way...
FYI: You do know you sound more and more like a a crazy person, right?
Election Time Posturing
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 12:54 — MissVSo Mr. Sutton, the Board member with the 'thinnest resume', who previously decried the 'thin resume' of the Superintendent, now tries to appear supportive? It takes great skill to talk out of both sides of the mouth at once. No wonder the Wake Co. Democratic Party wants to keep him in.
I guess it depends on what you call thin
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 19:43 — EBDarcyAre you saying that Malone or Tedesco had fatter resumes and had any relevant experience? You are really grasping at straws here.
Huh?
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 17:45 — paulastam...General Tata does have a very thin resume in public EDUCATION...Mr. Sutton would not be at fault for pointing that out...Tata was essentially a warehouse coordinator in DC Schools (even though he huddled with Michelle Rhee on her DC Leadership Team) for a brief stint...prior to that he specialized in attacking and occupying nations that were a threat to our freedom - yes, we should be grateful for the latter but it certainly does not count as ideal preparation for him to improve literacy and math in our public schools....oh, he did spend a few weekends attending charter school advocate's, Eli Broad's, leadership institute out west...
Miss V, there ain't NO denying that the General has a THIN resume in education...granted he has been a great PR person to date - he certainly likes cameras and to listen to himself...
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
Paula Stern, you have a little point BUT
Thu, 07/14/2011 - 09:34 — Voice_of_Reason_Ms. Stern
Your ignorance on what it takes to achieve general officer level and the military is showing. While learning how to fight wars is a part of what he needed to know, this was only a small part of his overall job...albeit the most important. I too was a warfighter and a career officer. While I had to become and stay very proficient in my warfighting skill, I would say less than 20% of my career directly involved doing that. Other jobs starting at a very early point in my career gave me leadership, management, supervisory, and education experience. In fact, it is impossible to gain rank above Captain without excellence over and above warfighting skills. And that's for a warfighter, a large percentage of officers are support, not operations; their warfighting skills are a secondary job.
Secondly, how does a career in education prepare you to run a school system? Do you learn logistics, building maintenance, transportanion, contract oversight, supervisory, management, adult occupational training, etc. in your college training? Even if you do, where and when do you get to apply it in real life? Most military officers, especially a warfighter, get to do all of those from almost day one. That from age 22 to put it in perspective. Exactly how does a career educator get that experience. Also, in the military, results are required to climb rank. If an officer was to get mediocre results, he/she would not go far.
BTW- Even if he " specialized in attacking and occupying nations that were a threat to our freedom", what do you think that means at his level? He have to oversee and direct things like transportation, logistics, feeding troops, ensuring the legal bounds of of his orders we followed, etc., etc..; often having to learn and adapt at a rate that would make a comparable civilian CEO's head spin. Listening to and evaluating his experts' advice was just as important then as it is as superintendent.
In this case Jeffrey is spot on.
Thank you for your service "Voice of Reason" BUT...
Sat, 07/16/2011 - 12:10 — paulastamobviously I am going to disagree with you that noneducators or a least war generals should be the head educators (superintendents) leading our school systems. There are too many recent examples in public school districts of military types and other non-educators doing terrible jobs as superintendents - LA/NY/Philly/DC, etc. In addition, Tata has proven his ignorance just this week when in the school board's Tuesday night meeting he allowed the GOP's "Gang of 5" to vote out (5-4 vote) the use of Blue Diamond (BD) Formative Assessments which provide middle school teachers with a whole range of helpful data to provide enrichment and remediation for their students. Tata had the wool pulled over his eyes and the fact that he has NO real grounding in education means he has NO idea about the educational ramifications of that politically partisan majority vote on BD. Even Tata's head of curriculum and instruction, Dr. Hargens, supported retaining BD yet her well grounded advice and knowledge was ignored by Tata and his GOP peers on the board.
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
First, there is no evidence
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 21:00 — jeffrey1First, there is no evidence that career educators make better superintendents. Indeed, there have been many cases of successful business leaders (ex CEOs) having a great deal of success as superintendents.
Second, why do you insist that a superintendent have an educational background? Would you also insist that the leader of GM have experience in the automotive industry? He does not. Would you insist that the leader of De Beers have experience in the diamond industry or experience dealing with South Africa? He has neither. Would you insist that the leader of Hewlett Packard ve savvy in computer hardware? He is not. There are hundreds of successful leaders in the private sector with little or no detailed knowledge of their industries.
It's easy for any organization, public or private, to becom entrenched in how it does things. Outsiders ask the tough questions that insiders tend to avoid. They bring new DNA to the gene pool. They introduce best practices, look at their organizations with fresh eyes, and surround themselves with the experts of their organizations.
It's not the leaders's job to design cars, mine diamonds, build computers, or teach children.
Jeff, "Seeing the forest through the trees."
Were you asleep...
Sun, 07/10/2011 - 17:36 — paulastam...Jeff when you had the movie Blood Diamond on (with that cutie pie Leonardo D!)? For you to throw the CEO of De Beers into the mix when discussing capable leaders for public schools is very concerning to me. De Beers is infamous for a number of questionable practices - includng buying and processing diamonds from countries where alleged slave labor is used - often with young boys and girls digging for diamonds at gun point...enough said.
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
First of all, nice
Mon, 07/11/2011 - 14:57 — jeffrey1First of all, nice deflection. When you don't have a leg to stand on, I guess that's all you can do.
Second:
In 1999, De Beers decided to stop all outside buying of diamonds in order to guarantee categorically the conflict-free status of De Beers diamond, effective from 26 March 2000.
In December 2000, following the recommendations of the Fowler Report, the UN adopted the landmark General Assembly Resolution A/RES/55/56[50] supporting the creation of an international certification scheme for rough diamonds. By November 2002, negotiations between governments, the international diamond industry and civil society organizations resulted in the creation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), which sets out the requirements for controlling rough diamond production and trade and became effective in 2003.
De Beers states that 100% of the diamonds it now sells are conflict-free and that all De Beers diamonds are purchased in compliance with national law, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and its own Diamond Best Practice Principles. The Kimberley process has helped restore the reputation of the industry, as well as eliminating sources of excess supply.
De Beers compliance with the Kimberly Process predates the CEO that I referenced, and therefore, your attempt to discredit him as an effective CEO is without merit.
Oh please...
Wed, 07/13/2011 - 20:32 — paulastam"Jeffery1",
You would also have us believe that EXXON's and BP's continued assurances that offshore drilling is SAFE are indeed correct!
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
You are a master at changing
Thu, 07/14/2011 - 00:38 — jeffrey1You are a master at changing the subject when you have no argument!
And please spell my name right!
Yes, offshore drilling is
Wed, 07/13/2011 - 21:56 — woodstockYes, offshore drilling is safe and we need to do more of it... NOW! It is so safe Obama is encouraging Brazil to drill even more... so we -- the US -- can be their customers. In fact, he is providing BILLIONS in financing to make it happen.
I don't recall Mr. Sutton
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 14:52 — CaryCurmudgeonI don't recall Mr. Sutton bringing up the discussion of increasing minority teacher representation until after General Tata did.
And?
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 17:51 — paulastamThat's a tad trivial either way...
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
The demographic mismatch
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 12:28 — CaryCurmudgeonThe demographic mismatch between students and teachers is not going to get fixed on a recruiting trip. Nationally, there is a much higher percentage of white non-hispanic teachers than students. This is where WCPSS, the NAACP, NCAE and others could really collaborate to make a difference; Come up with programs which succeed at keeping more black/hispanic students in school, and steering them toward teaching careers. Unless you increase the pool of minority teacher candidates, you're just playing "trading places."
Unfortunately, this matter has become another political football, and I don't see anyone talking about long term solutions.
more minority role models
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 17:50 — stepbystepAnd more more minority role models would be a good way to "succeed at keeping more black/hispanic students in school, and steering them toward teaching careers." Good for Mr. Tata, and good for Mr. Sutton for lending his support and encouraging other school board members to do so as well.
Absolutely...
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 19:07 — paulastamwell said, we need more quality male, Black, Hispanic and Asian teachers in our schools. How do we achieve this? Make teaching a viable career option - increase teachers' salaries to start with. Unfortunately our teachers and many other state employees currently have their salaries frozen by the GOP led General Assembly which also required them to contribute to their health premiums this year. The state Repubs have also publicly shared that it is their goal to abandon the teachers pension plan - this has been done by Repubs in other parts of the USA already - in fact in nearby Sth Carolina - they replaced a pension with a 401K plan (placing SC educators at the mercy of Wall St!). Let's face it ,teachers and their assistants are poorly paid given their qualifications and level of responsibility. A dental hygienist with a 2 year associates degree can easily pull $50,000 a year working just a 4 day week. In contrast a beginning teacher with a 4 year degree, working 5 days a week and LONG days will pull approx $33,000 (can vary drastically on NC school district)....VERY sad. If we expect more of our teachers and want an even larger quality pool of teachers available, then we need to increase their salaries to a competitive market rate and stop blaming them for the effects of poor parenting, drugs, illegal immigration and poverty...
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
Salaries do not make good teachers
Thu, 07/14/2011 - 10:07 — Voice_of_Reason_Show me proof where salaries and performance go hand in hand in the teaching profession. Why is that private schools generally pay less and still get good performance? Yes, they may get a better mix of students, but is that the only reason they do better? Maybe, just maybe, there is something else that is not being considered. Could it be government bureaucracy and liberal bias in ways of handling problems in the schools?
or
Thu, 07/14/2011 - 20:11 — EBDarcyCould it be that the fact that they generally have smaller class sizes, strong parent support and can select their students?
Pensions...
Sat, 07/09/2011 - 14:24 — Bob_SconceIn the public sector, pensions are a bad idea because they let representatives buy votes from public employees with money from future generations. In contrast, private pension plans are supposed to ensure that their pension plans have current capital sufficient to fund future payments. (It's a bit more complicated than that, but that's the basic idea.)
You're really putting too much gloss on it when you say a 401(k) as "at the mercy of wall street." Fundamentally, a 401(k) should be at the mercy of the overall economy over a long period of time--if the economy does well, then so should a 401(k). The "long period of time" averages out the negatives, like the great recession. My 401(k) has recovered significantly.
A significant problem with taxpayer funded "defined benefit" pensions is that they are not at the mercy of the overall economy -- they pay the same regardless of the performance of the economy. On first blush, that sounds like a great deal for people receiving the pension. But, what about the taxpayers paying it? If the economy stalls, either taxes have to go up to pay those pensions or the government has to default on its obligations.
I don't know why I'm wasting
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 22:32 — CaryCurmudgeonI don't know why I'm wasting my time responding to someone who masquerades as a state representative, then lies about their real name, maybe I'm just bored.
Unfortunately our teachers and many other state employees currently have their salaries frozen by the GOP led General Assembly
NC has been run by Democrats for the last 100 years, so you can't pin our pathetic schools funding on the Republicans. I don't agree with the Republican budget cuts this year, but then I didn't agree with Dumplin' slashing teacher jobs the year before either.
The state Repubs have also publicly shared that it is their goal to abandon the teachers pension plan - this has been done by Repubs in other parts of the USA already - in fact in nearby Sth Carolina - they replaced a pension with a 401K plan.
Welcome to 2011. Traditional pension plans are a thing of the past in this country, except in a few holdout areas where labor unions have the leverage to protect them. As you point out, other school systems are switching over to 401K plans, so this should not be an inhibiter to recruiting good teachers.
placing SC educators at the mercy of Wall St!
Well, I am at the mercy of Wall Street with my 401K, so are just about everyone I know. Exactly what is it about teachers that makes you think they are entitled to a more secure retirement than the rest of working America?
Let's face it ,teachers and their assistants are poorly paid given their qualifications and level of responsibility
I agree. The Republican legislature inherited this situation. I doubt that they'll fix it, even when we come out of this godawful recession. Then again, the Dems didn't do squat either except for launching an "education" lottery that now goes into the general fund.
then we need to increase their salaries to a competitive market rate and stop blaming them for the effects of poor parenting, drugs, illegal immigration and poverty...
Sir, you're a little off base...
Sun, 07/10/2011 - 17:39 — paulastamCaryC,
Where in this forum have I purported to be a politician let alone a male (Paul)? I have been Paula from the get go - you need to improve your attention to detail.
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
You have "purported" to be
Sun, 07/10/2011 - 19:21 — woodstockYou have "purported" to be Paula Stam, but that is not true now is it? So, what should we believe and not believe?
Education Lottery
Sat, 07/09/2011 - 13:42 — JanisTangoI'm sure glad someone finally mentioned that our 'educational' governor and the democrats raided the Educational Lottery to balance the budget last year! Why isn't anyone jumping all over Perdue and the democrats for that little move?
I want one of two things to
Sun, 07/10/2011 - 19:55 — woodstockI want one of two things to happen with the lottery:
1. Put tight restrictions on what lottery revenue can be used for... that being education.
2. Shut down the lottery as the scam that it is (this is the preferred action). Don't tell us it is for the children and then rip off the low-income folks who disproportionately bear the burden of this scam.
I would agree with you to an
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 18:40 — paulastamI would agree with "CaryC..." to an extent but I would restate what CaryCum.. said: "...Unless you increase the pool of QUALITY minority teacher candidates..."
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."