While there's been some talk about Ron Margiotta becoming the new school board chairman, it probably won't happen quite that soon.
Kevin Hill said he's planning to stay on as chairman until at least June when his term expires. He said he feels he can work with the new board members.
But what could happen is Margiotta being elected vice chairman in December when Horace Tart, who lost his reelection bid, leaves the board. The new vice chairman would sit in on board agenda meetings with Supt. Del Burns and in leadership meetings with the county commissioners.
Margiotta said he hadn't thought about replacing Tart. But he didn't say he'd oppose it either.
Because of the turnover on the board, Margiotta and Anne McLaurin are the only two veterans who'd be the likely choices for vice chair. Margiotta was a school board president in New Jersey for five years.
A win by Cathy Truitt over John Tedesco in the runoff could make it less likely for Margiotta to be elected vice chairman in December or chairman in June.
Comments
Do you?
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 20:48 — RevHiDDo you?
Expand them and they won't
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 19:53 — RevHiDExpand them and they won't be so unfair. Kill them and you will be unfair to everyone equally. Our schools will be just as beige as Cary.
Again, the answer is to
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 19:49 — RevHiDAgain, the answer is to expand the magnet program, not delete it or water it down. If we didn't have the magnet program, we'd leave Wake county quickly. I know, don't let the door hit me, right?
I am not defending the limited access of the magnet program. I am saying we should fix that by expanding it, not by making every school the same. And yes, we are close enough to a lower income area that we too could have been shut out of magnets. I'm not arguing that we should keep that practice... only that we should expand magnets to encourage diversity.
What if in order to attend the magnet
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 21:27 — TrailerParkGirlschool you had to live in SE Raleigh. Would you move there to get to go to the school?
My base was not as diverse
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 19:34 — RevHiDMy base was not as diverse economically when we enrolled. But Southeast Raleigh is a whole new level of diverse than anything in Cary. We specifically requested a Magnet with a large ED base. We wanted that. Some families looked at the percentages and picked the magnets with the lowest F&R. Those lowest F&R magnets were already eliminated after the board evaluated their data.
...
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 20:07 — SideburnsI wonder why you didn't choose to live in SE Raleigh.
Ron deserves it
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 15:54 — kmisegadesRon Margiotta deserves the position, period. Anyone else from the existing BOE will be a lame duck, considering all they have done to throw roadblocks in Ron's way. Perhaps they like running into buzzsaws?
Why does Hill believe he
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 14:33 — woodstockWhy does Hill believe he will remain as chairperson? That notion seems highly presumptuous. He represents the satus quo. Unless he very quickly gets on board with the new direction, he needs to step aside.
He has displayed his lack of
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 14:37 — changewcpssHe has displayed his lack of concern for the pressing issues and is ineffective anywhere he goes. We'll bring J Tedesco into the picture on 11/3 and won't have to worry anymore about K Hill having a say in meaningful votes.
Getting Ron in there as Vice
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 11:40 — shearertwGetting Ron in there as Vice Chairman is an absolute must. After working extremely hard and having District 2 show up and vote for John Tedesco.
On the other hand, looking down the road a bit, I think it would actually make more sense to have one of the new members be Chairman instead of Ron. I am a Ron supporter, however, through no fault of his own (just the long, hard fight) he's a little bit "damaged goods". He's a lightening rod for the "other side" sort of like Rosa was for those of us that wanted change. I think Ron should stay on as Vice Chairman, however, to bring the historical perspective (and be there to call BS on the administration as necessary) but a new face as chairman may help us all get a new start.
Also, Ron has no Title I
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 14:21 — user12345Also, Ron has no Title I schools, few F&Rs, and most of the schools of excellence and distinction which is directly opposite of all the other districts .... so, I would prefer one of the other members since most of the system's problems are outside of Ron's district, schools, and experience ...
Also Let's Not Forget
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 18:25 — chaboard..that he demonstrated last month with his totally nutty position on the President of the United States talking to schoolkids that he's a wildly extremist partisan. He has no business being anywhere near a position of any kind of leadership.
These high level
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 10:10 — user12345These high level administrators typically have long term contracts to isolate them from swings in public opinion ... ultimately, the public loses by buying out the contract of these folks early with less money going to teachers ... but that is the way of public education ...
What are you talking
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 15:59 — woodstockWhat are you talking about? Kevin Hill is an elected official and makes about $13K as a school board member. It is not a buy-out situation.
"There's no way Del and Co
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 16:21 — user12345"There's no way Del and Co are going to put up with the changes that have been talked about by Ron and the others now in the driver's seat"
"What are you talking about? Kevin Hill is an elected official and makes about $13K as a school board member. It is not a buy-out situation"
Bob and I were commenting on rr77rr99 "Del and Co".... I should have attached his comment for reference ..
True
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 10:37 — Bob_SconceAS Keung mentioned elsewhere, Burns does have a deal. Hill, however, does not.
"A win by Cathy Truitt over
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 08:48 — CaryCurmudgeon"A win by Cathy Truitt over John Tedesco in the runoff"
That is what every one of us must work hard to ensure never happens, it would be a horrible outcome for the citizens of District 2 and our county.
Keung,
Any new versions from Truitt regarding her conversation with R.Margiotta since Saturday?
Ron M. as board chair? He
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 10:12 — RevHiDRon M. as board chair? He called for the end to the magnet program!!! Some say he was only exaggerating in response to year round schools, but I don't know. That's not the kind of move I want to see in a board chair. I hope I'm wrong, but he seems to have decided that proximity to school is best for all kids.
I hope the people of District 2 will not listen to the interests of Western Wake. It's the last thing they should do.
Magnet Schools and the Future
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 12:43 — JTedescoRev HiD,
First allow me to say that while I appreciate your public comments for the opposition, I am more understanding and aware of all the dynamics at play than some may believe.
Please be aware, that should I be blessed by God's grace and the voters to win again, I will hold the post with a great acknowledgement of the responsibilty to care for other people's children with other people's money.
Should that occur, I can assure you that no one is going in there like gun slingers to fire this one or that one or rid the system of magnet schools. We are not going to make the mistake of past boards by being reactionary. WE are going to create a real plan and a real vision to accomplish the heavy lifting needed to return the system to accountable service and quality education for all students.
I personally find value in Magnet Schools, but not in the way they are utilzed or deemed effective. We all know Enloe H.S. offers great opportunities and we know Garner Magnet H.S. struggles. I have no desire to rid us of these schools, but rather a desire to see how we can replicate the quality from our best across the network.
I will want to ask some questions. Why do only affluent kids get a chance to get bussed to Magnet / Specialized Programs, while ED kids get bussed to average schools? Can we create them with a different cost structure? Why do we use magnets as a social engineering tool instead of an opportunity to provided our brightest with rich and rewarding opportunities regardless of their income. Why do some magnets work great and others struggles?
We will have a conversation in Wake County. We will discuss how to really educate our kids - every last one of them to the best of our abilities to ensure every one of them has a shot in this life.
John
You support magnet schools, but not how they are currently
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 17:32 — Athey01configured.? Does that mean you would support a lottery system approach for magnet school? Or would it depend upon the type of magnet school, i.e., if it was a Performing Arts school, there would be an audition or portfolio assessment?
On a separate issue... neighborhood schools. If we went to a neighborhood school system, what plan of action would you support to improve low performing school. Would you support reducing/limiting class room sizes in order to provide more teacher/student interaction?
Go John
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 16:25 — user12345Go John
I do not like the label
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 15:27 — RevHiDI do not like the label "Social Engineering." It disparages those who honestly want to provide equal opportunity for all, and have made progress. Some have already indicated that even placing these schools closest to those who can afford them the least is "social engineering."
You also misunderstand many magnets as opportunities for the "best and brightest." The GT program is based on the theory that all children are gifted and talented. It is not a program for kids who are any better or brighter than other kids, it is an education for children whose unique learning styles and motivations must be addressed. There are no admission requirements.
You have continued to judge my school and all magnets failed attempts at social engineering. This label could not be more inaccurate. When my child sees no difference between herself and her truly diverse classmates, when PTA parents are just as supportive of kids halfway across the county as they are their own, when kids who struggle in the classroom come alive as they integrate academic study in the dance studio or the stage, this is NOT a failed attempt at social engineering. It is our neighborhood school that just happens to be a longer drive for some of us.
Can the magnet system be improved? Yes. We ask some of the same questions. I do not agree with some of your assumptions, or solutions.
Just an aside, RevHiD, but
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 16:59 — jenmanJust an aside, RevHiD, but isn't your Cary school diverse? You mentioned before that you live in an older, not as wealthy part of Cary. From what I do know about Cary schools, it seems that your base would be diverse.
This reminds me of a situation I encountered during this campaign. I met three moms who were concerned about the future of magnets. They all mentioned the diversity of their magnet school, just as you are. What was funny to me though, is that their particular magnet has an F&R lower than the county average while their base schools have F&Rs higher than the average. Their base schools were also more racially diverse than this particular magnet. It just struck me as funny that they argued how valuable the diversity of this school is when they would be in a truly more diverse environment at their base schools.
Yes and let us not forget the
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 18:30 — TrailerParkGirlF&R students that LIVE near those magnet schools, but have been bussed out to higher F&R, more diverse non-magnet schools where they do NOT get dance (but were welcomed as long as GM allowed them to stay) so RevHiD's kid can go to the magnet school and take dance with the F&R kids that are lucky enough to be left in the magnet school (at least until it became their turn to be reassigned out).
For people who say they are sending their kids to magnets to appreciate diversity, there are diverse areas with diverse non-magnet base schools you could move to, but I don't see anyone proposing that, flocking to my area, or fretting about whether or not my school will change. If there was no dance class or GT program at the end of the bus ride - would you still send your child to help the school be diverse? Would you move to a diverse area with a diverse non-magnet base knowing you'll be practically shut-out of magnets because you really want to put your money where your mouth is and live diversity 24/7, 365 instead of just exposing your kid to it 6.5 hours/5 days a week, 180 days a year? I'm always curious about that.
'You also misunderstand
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 15:52 — woodstock'You also misunderstand many magnets as opportunities for the "best and brightest."'
Don't forget, the magnet opprotunites are also for the "luckiest." There is an inherent unfairness build into the current magnet system with the lottery selection.
John Tedesco will win D2
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 11:23 — g88ky07period!
rhetorical question
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 10:53 — loriacIt was a rhetorical statement made after the court ruling that confirmed that the BOE does not need consent from parents to assign kids to YR schools.
So - if the BOE has power to assign kids anywhere, why do they need magnets... again, rhetorical question, but has the ring of common sense.
Strictly a rumor. It was a
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 10:30 — changewcpssStrictly a rumor. It was a hypothetical comment made in the midst of other nonsensical ideas.
LOL. GO Ron! This is
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 08:43 — rr77rr99LOL. GO Ron! This is going to be a very interesting turn of events. Can't wait to see who "walks". There's no way Del and Co are going to put up with the changes that have been talked about by Ron and the others now in the driver's seat. Plus, will the arrogance against he parents really continue after the last election? The parents have spoken, and they are only getting more and more vocal and more and more active in making sure changes happen.
"The parents have
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 14:10 — jeannie84"The parents have spoken"
Yes, the rich, white, Republican parents have spoken...how can you realistically call the election results a mandate when only four districts in the county voted?
Further, I understand that parents want the best for their children (I do!), but they certainly do NOT know how to effectively and efficiently run the largest school system in NC -- and one of the largest in the country! So, it will be very interesting to watch those they've elected to make good on their promises. I predict some other voices will be getting louder and more active...but will those who claim they will listen hear US??
Whoa... talk about your
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 10:49 — rr77rr99Whoa... talk about your "stereotyping"... how do you know I am a "rich, white, republican parent". Because, I am not. LOL.
I am a FED UP PARENT . That I am.... but please don't stereotype. It's ugly.
Interesting...
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 20:31 — supportwcpssSort of like how you stereotype everyone who shows any inclination of support for the school system
Some of us support the
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 21:22 — changewcpssSome of us support the system to such a degree that we are willing to admit that there are problems and willing to fix those problems. Pointing out flaws and offering solutions does not mean we do not support the system. We want to improve it. For everyone. Simple as that.
Go back and read the Public
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 14:59 — CaryCurmudgeonGo back and read the Public Policy Polling data. Rich, poor, white, minority... all were against busing.
The same trend exists on a national scale, so thinking the election result was due to voter turnout may help you feel better about it, but it is simply not the case.
Hmmm. Last I checked this
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 14:33 — changewcpssHmmm. Last I checked this was a non partisan race. I thought every voter had a chance to cast a vote. I thought the status quo groups rallied and pulled out all stops to guarantee status quo remained intact. Perhaps 5 whole votes from Auntie Beula's Leesville Knitting Group 4 Change weren't enough to beat D Prickett. I thought I overheard some overconfident chatter that Wake County voters would support Policy 6200 at all costs irregardless of the unacceptable results. Guess Acorn's demise was ill-timed this fall as status quo could not utilize their *wink-wink* assistance in fighting off the parents.
Oh yes indeed, the parents have spoken and we will speak again on November 3 when we get our own new pro-education candidate in District 2.
Hill as Board Chairman....
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 08:36 — Bob_SconceIs there any reason the board couldn't remove him from that position? It'd be like keeping Denny Hastert as Speaker after the Democrats took over the house.
K Hill is ineffective no
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 14:35 — changewcpssK Hill is ineffective no matter where you put him. As Chairman he will only cast a vote in the case of a tie. After we vote in J Tedesco on November 3 the important issues will not end in ties so just keep him where he is.