Wake County school board chairman Ron Margiotta announced today the formation of his campaign committee in his bid to win re-election in District 8.
In today's press release, Margiotta said the initial committee members are former Holly Springs Town Councilman Hank Dickson, Fuquay-Varina community activists Jan and Art Wilson, Green Level businessman and activist Dan McMain and Apex Town Councilman Gene Schulze. He said more people are still being added.
The press release describes the committee members as coming "from all political leanings yet share a concern with the direction of the Wake County school system and the need for continued reform."
“I am honored to have such an experienced and informed group of talented individuals who wholeheartedly support our students and our communities,” said Margiotta in the press release. “Our team will work closely with volunteers throughout District 8 to ensure every voter understands my commitment to empowering parents, embracing community and ensuring academic success for all students.”
Margiotta also announced that Allison Backhouse, a regular here on this blog, will be his campaign manager.
Comments
I am looking at Ron's
Sat, 07/30/2011 - 15:45 — user12345I am looking at Ron's accoplishments under his chairmanship and he needs to go. We have one of the lowest per student funding in the US and now only 14% of our schools are passing. Surely, Apex has something better to offer.
RALEIGH, N.C. — Numbers released Thursday show most schools in the area did not meet grade-level requirements for reading and math in 2010-11, also known as Adequate Yearly Progress.
In Wake County, 22 of 163 public schools, or about 13.5 percent, met Adequate Yearly Progress, according to the preliminary results.
Ron's "accomplishments" continued...
Sat, 07/30/2011 - 16:52 — paulastamAs soon as Ronnie M took control of the school board he withdrew our board from the NC School Boards Association - leaving Wake as the ONLY non-member - he's since flip flopped on that with re-election pending. To add he threw democracy and community involvement out the window with the hiring of General Tata - did Wake parents or teachers have the opportunity to attend any 'get-to-know the superintendent candidates' public meetings? Nope!! Recently, Dr. Hargens had to present herself, and her professional resume, to the media and communities in first Wilmington, NC, and then Lexington, KY, to win over the confidence of taxpayers, local families, teachers and ALL school board members before being appointed as a superintendent (that is the common and democratic practice). Instead we had General Tata imposed on us by Ronnie M as a GOP Christmas present. Now whether or not you think the General can walk on water one would think that the way he was hired and the little to NO community involvement in meeting and choosing the finalists for the Wake superintendency was disgraceful. And as if Ronnie M doesn't learn from his errors he recently had the bright idea of publicly sharing that he was thinking about passing a school board resolution about a Town of Cary issue (location of a federal building) that had nothing to do with the oversight of our schools. To top things off Ronnie M, who talks about wanting to improve student achievement, recently removed Blue Diamond from teachers' use (5-4 board vote with GOP majority winning) - a tool that has been critical to teachers' efforts to improve student achievement. I could continue to address Ronnie M's "accomplishments", but I'll save that for another day...
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
Was Del Burns hired any
Sat, 07/30/2011 - 17:42 — jeffrey1Was Del Burns hired any differently than Tony Tata?
Truthfully Jeffery1 I'm not sure but...
Sat, 07/30/2011 - 18:13 — paulastamI would assume/hope that the full board that selected and voted on Del Burns had more than a day or two to know who the final candidate was before the critical vote. I would be surprised if names of the final one or two finalists were withheld from the public and media until the actual appointment was made. I may be wrong, but even if so that still doesn't make right what Ronnie M and his GOP cohort did (2 wrongs don't make a right). Again, the highly public and democratic selection process that Dr. Hargens just experienced in Wilmington and Lexington is a much more sensible and democratic approach. Those school boards actually allowed the public and teachers to have dialogue with the superintendent finalists prior to selection. Many school districts publicise the names of their superintendent finalists (especially the final 2-3) before actually approving. I think even the hirely contentious noneducator that was recently appointed as superintendent of NYC schools, and shortly after resigned, had her name out there in public before it was all officially approved. WCPSS teachers and parents were entirely left in the dark by the GOP led school board with respect to General Tata's appointment apart from last minute speculation and a very rushed school board vote.
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
My question was
Sat, 07/30/2011 - 18:53 — jeffrey1My question was rhetorical.
Del Burns was selected in a hurried and secretive 3-week process. There was no external search conducted at all (despite the request by Ron M to look both inside and outside of WCPSS). on 1/31/06, the board received applications in a closed session. On 2/7/06, the board met in a closed session to decide on questions to pose to internal candidates. A little more than a week later, Del Burns was announced as the new superintendent on 2/16/06.
The reason that many boards do not announce applicants is because if that information were to be made public, many applicants would choose not to apply. At that level, applicants do not want their own organizations to know that they are looking for new employment. Such information could be frowned upon by their own companies. It is widely thought that you can attract a better applicant pool by not making all applicants know to the public.
User, could a moderate
Sat, 07/30/2011 - 16:38 — DrActualFactualUser, could a moderate candidate that is different from a Susan Evans magnet-parent Dem vs. a Ron Margiotta staunch Republican garner enough votes to win in a 3-way race against an incumbant in a solid Republican district?
Republicans would vote for a
Sat, 07/30/2011 - 18:37 — user12345Republicans would vote for a monkey it they committed to no taxes on the wealthy. They do not thing about the bigger society. It is all about their neighborhood and money. That is why Republicans are such a power. They are single minded and fully committed to themselves and wealth. It is all about money and they do not get distracted worrying about the plight of minorities or the lost potential of the poor. Democrats get sucked into wanting to compromise, be friends, help the less fortunate, work toward a more fair and just society which Republicans ultimately exploit to their advantage. I think as long as Ron tells his white voters that they can stay local and not have to mix with minorities or LWF (Low Wealth Families) his position is secure in Apex. Personally, I am looking for a pro-student candidate who is committed to education.
As usual, you are profoundly
Sat, 07/30/2011 - 19:15 — woodstockAs usual, you are profoundly offensive and wrong. Republicans respect the capabilities of ALL individuals and understand that "helping" minorities and the less fortunate is not about giving them things that make them dependent on hand-outs, but by providing them with the tools and awareness the that through education/training, responsibility and personal initiative, their potential is unlimited. It is an enlightened view that empowers people.
We are moving toward zero
Sat, 07/30/2011 - 22:50 — user12345We are moving toward zero per student funding with more and more failing schools so no one can accused Republicans of "giving" anything to minorities.
I see your time away from
Sun, 07/31/2011 - 10:25 — woodstockI see your time away from this forum has not increased your capacity to engage in a meaningful discussion. You're still a mindless left-wing radical.
Only if those students live north of 64
Thu, 07/28/2011 - 10:46 — hmoncelleHarry_Moncelle
Where is the support to complete the needed construction at Apex High School Mr. Margiotta? Why are you content to build new high schools but fail to complete the needed conatruction at Apex? You say “Our team will work closely with volunteers throughout District 8 to ensure every voter understands my commitment to empowering parents, embracing community and ensuring academic success for all students.” OK when does your leadership come forward to meet the needs of the student body of Apex High School? Or are you only concerned for those who live north of route 64?