There's plenty of empty seats at today's Wake County school board meeting.
Only 35 of the 153 vouchers were handed out for today's meeting. That's far less than the crowds that backed up into the hallway at recent meetings.
You've only got 21 people signed up to speak today. It'd down from as many as 100 speakers at recent meetings.
The topic that just about everyone wants to bring up today is student assignment. There are several speakers from the Breckenridge neighborhood of Morrisville who are upset that the board last week agreed to change the area's traditional-calendar option from Cedar Fork Elementary to the more distant Weatherstone Elementary in Cary.
UPDATE
The Breckenridge parents got a partial victory today.
The board agreed to make Cedar Fork Elementary their traditional-calendar option instead of changing it to Weatherstone Elementary. But the change was made with the realization that not all the applicants will likely be accommodated.
The board also heard the Leesville parents today who objected to their year-round application school being changed to Green Elementary. They'll now be going to Sycamore Creek Elementary.
In both cases, the parents had argued that Cedar Fork and Sycamore Creek was closer to them and more in keeping with the board's support for community schools.
Comments
Kristen, Thank goodness for
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 22:38 — carson79Kristen,
Thank goodness for the
Intense media scrutiny
What vandalism? Tedesco's car? Why not just say that instead of insinuating there's been more? Unless there's been more?
What personal and family safety concerns?
Are you saying Tedesco was actually fired?
It's community schools, and it's never been only closest!
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 20:59 — raleighlauraThe picture that the current board's foes keep trying to paint is of an authoritarian, strict, conservative, anti-education, anti-system group bullying their way in to power. I can see how you'd be surprised as that's not the reality. Community schools have always been about a broader community. Most people think of a community as a radius around where they live, work, worship, and shop. It doesn't neccessarily mean the closest school- it means the one that is not all the way across the county! I think the shocker should be that the board listened to these parents. That's not somethings the old board did much of!
How can this be with "neighborhood schools"?
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 16:24 — MarvinSchwartz"...the board last week agreed to change the area's traditional-calendar option from Cedar Fork Elementary to the more distant Weatherstone Elementary in Cary."
Impossible! I thought "neighborhood schools" meant the school that was closest to you. Could it be the new board is finding out that actual governing is much harder than campaigning?
Correction
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 17:25 — crazylikeafoxActually I believe Breckenridge community was originally scheduled to go to Green Hope Elementary as their traditional option and this was noted on the website when they applied for a traditional calendar. This probably would have over crowded Green Hope Elementary.
They're now at Cedar Fork.
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 18:30 — KeungHui (author)They're now at Cedar Fork.
"Could it be the new board
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 16:37 — danofnc"Could it be the new board is finding out that actual governing is much
harder than campaigning?"
No.
We're all realizing it, but I don't think they are yet.
Also easier:
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 22:03 — petehsHeckling from the sidelines while others take high-risk action to make a positive difference.
None of these board members or school staff ever claimed perfection, but hey, at least they are working tirelessly (for next to nothing, mind you) to unravel a rat's nest for the good of our children and our community.
Just remember.....every time
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 22:17 — danofncJust remember.....every time you say "they can't please every family" or someone else says "community schools doesn't necessarily mean school closest to your house" or whatever other 'easy let down'-style comment you make......
Those are the exact same comments that you used to hate when you got them from the old board.
The only difference is that a board has been elected that will follow the agenda of a select few and then manage the rest as best as they can.
Until you can provide some reasoning that they aren't doing that, I have no choice but to believe it, because that's exactly what it looks like.
I agree ... and disagree.
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 22:42 — petehs"those are the exact same comments that you used to hate when you got them
from the old board."
Although I can say that none of those comments were directed at me/my family because I was not subject to any moves (thanks to a brilliantly-crafted argument and/or the fact that my neighborhood all wore yellow t-shirts at the CEM?)
Yes, as humans, we do tend to react differently when we feel we are being heard/understood than when we feel otherwise. No doubt.
That said, I do wholeheartedly disagree with you on one point:
This board majority is not serving a "select few." I would bet my life that if I could walk house-to-house across this entire county and asked each household what they would prefer for their own family (regardless of their own SES), the VAST majority of them would choose a "community schools" concept versus the chaos and trauma that has been created by criss-crossing of buses and the lack of focused services to support individual student abilities.
Again, I could never say that Policy 6200 hasn't had successes (though it's never officially been studied, as per prior board directive), but even Ann Denlinger of WEP said just the other day that Policy 6200 has "run its course" (or something similar) and it is time for new solutions. She even admitted that perhaps--just perhaps--this all might end up being a GOOD THING for our community. Well, imagine that!
And Carson, nobody has "disappeared." Many are just simply tired of the abuse being dished out, but others are making plans. We are re-gaining strength and resolve to make this school system work better for all the kids.
Really, no kidding.
house to house
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 23:06 — prescott2but would they say that if you also told them they would have to pay higher property taxes to accomodate their desire for 'choice'? You have to ask the whole question. I would like a triple dip banana split but not if it means adding 4000 calories to my diet.
Denlinger couldn't have said
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 22:56 — danofncDenlinger couldn't have said that, because I'm sure that I've read here that her organization is strictly a political mouthpiece for the business community.
And Carson, nobody has
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 22:48 — carson79And Carson, nobody has "disappeared." Many are just simply tired of the abuse being dished out,
What abuse?
If you haven't disappeared and your group claims to work for all parents - where is your statement against John T's move of the SERaleigh kids that was not in the 3 year plan, so no public comment was allowed, no parental input was obtained, and it was the only move not done at some kind of parental request or previous protest?
What abuse?
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 23:29 — petehsNothing physical, of course, but psychological and emotional? Heck, yeah! It goes way beyond what you read here. Come to our next coffee talk and I'll tell you some gory stories.
Regarding the SERaleigh kids/move, and many other decisions that have come down, WSCA could not possibly, nor are we in a position to, make a statement about every one of them. Certainly there is more to this story than we are hearing about here, but I am not privvy to that particular background info.
Also, FWIW, I trust John. Despite what you may think, he is not a proud or arrogant man. His level of integrity is much higher than most. He is young, yes. Brilliant? Yes, I do think so. Sure, he is going to make some mistakes, but I have already seen him adjust his position based on new information that has been presented. I am confident that he will accept sound advice and innovative ideas that he believes will benefit as many children as possible. He has a vision, I will give him that. It just happens to be a vision that causes some folks concern.
Standing up for our beliefs really equals the biggest risk, doesn't it (Dan)?
"Standing up for our beliefs
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 07:41 — danofnc"Standing up for our beliefs really equals the biggest risk,
doesn't it (Dan)?"
Well, yes and no.
He could stand up for his beliefs by presenting the data he claims to have that shows we can successfully operate high-poverty schools, adding "resources" that will ensure improvement in student outcomes.
I don't think there is another school district similar to ours that has done that successfully in normal schools.
If he could show actual data supporting his stance, I'd be much more willing to believe he can do what he claims. I can't imagine why he wouldn't show it if he had it.
The biggest risk is changing what has been a relatively successful system overall to something totally different based on a "belief" and the votes of a bunch of people aggravated because they didn't get the magnet program or school assignment they "deserved" or they have too many of "those people" in "their" schools.
I know that when I expressed doubt in the past about the real goals of WSCA I was told that they were genuinely concerned about all kids. The silence regarding the reassignments of the SER kids seems to be sending a different message. When has WSCA ever said "support board member 'x'" when a last second change like that has been made without any public input?
Tedesco's "vapor data"?
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 09:43 — Dove314I know for a fact he and Michael Evan's have been asked to provide the data and have made no response. And we know for sure they are reading their emails now.
Those are the exact same
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 22:20 — carson79Those are the exact same comments that you used to hate when you got them from the old board.
Exactly. It's actually depressing to me to see the hypocrisy be at this level. All the people who were so worried about the low income kids and taking parents out of the assignment discussion have disappeared apparently...response to Garner to Southeast Raleigh moves is exhibit A.
I know that you have asked
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 09:25 — jenmanI know that you have asked me for my thoughts on the Garner to SE Raleigh moves this past week. I was enjoying my spring break by taking a break from the blogs for the most part. Just now getting back into the fray.
What do I think about those moves? I don't know enough at this point to make an informed decision. I do agree that these moves seem to be coming out of nowhere. I don't think its good to throw people into the reassignment plan when they didn't instigate it.
However, I will say that this is somewhat different from previous situations. From what I understand, these students are actually closer to SE Raleigh High than they are to Garner. Moves that I have questioned in the past have involved moving low income kids from already 'healthy' school A to school B much farther away just to increase the F&R of school B. I am not saying whether I agree or disagree with the moves--just pointing out a difference.
I am concerned that we still aren't hearing the voices of low income and minority families. I've emailed Keith Sutton with some ideas for how to reach parents who are usually silent. I offered myself and WSCA's members as volunteers who could assist him in efforts to reach those parents. When I didn't receive a response from him after about 2 weeks, I introduced myself to him at a CEM and told him about my email. When I still hadn't heard from him a little while later, I printed out a copy of my email and handed it to him at a board meeting (the one with Gatewood). I again introduced myself and told him a little about myself. I also gave him a copy of an email that I sent to him in Feb 2007 when he was president of the Triangle Urban League. It said basically the same things I wrote in the recent email to him. I had the same concerns back then. Still haven't heard from him--not even a "thanks for your concerns and offer of help but no thanks."
There is much going on behind the scenes--lots of communication with people on all sides of the issue. We haven't gone away.
I am concerned that we still
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 12:55 — carson79My post was about contact I
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 17:49 — jenmanMy post was about contact I made with Sutton before these assignments.
I've already said that I don't agree with the assignments being put through now. I don't speak for the group, but WSCA has publicly stated several times that we don't agree with everything that the board has done.
Finally, thanks!! I think
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 17:58 — carson79Finally, thanks!!
I think everyone except Woodstock has agreed that the process that was used in the Garner to SE Raleigh assignments was unacceptable.
I see a glimmer of hope in that!! I apparently cannot let this die as we have Goldman and Prickett up there making votes that they don't agree with.
I just did a google search on crowding at Garner High and couldn't find anything since 2007 and in fact found on your blog that the last post you did showed many more crowded high schools.
And that doesn't even reflect that they ignored Garner's capacity in making the move.
Finally? I already
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 18:03 — jenmanFinally? I already answered this question (pestering? lol) from you on other threads hours ago.
I said that I have no opinion right now on whether or not the moves make sense. I do not like that they are being done now.
I'm glad you find the
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 18:21 — carson79I'm glad you find the disenfranchisement of 160 kids families funny.
Your lack of any urgency compared to how fired up you were about these kids when it was helping the candidates you cared about get elected is strange.
I know you are considering a run for office so your posts will be measured and all, I will try to keep that in mind when you say things that sound like politico-speech and try to stay neutral so your statements can't come back to haunt you. I totally understand.
Its too late for me to worry
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 19:58 — jenmanIts too late for me to worry about statements coming back to haunt me. If I ever do choose to run for BOE (which is more unlikely than it is likely), I've already said plenty of things here, on my blog, in public and quoted in the newspaper to provide enough fodder for you to lob at me for months.
I usually try to be careful with what I say and always have. I'm not always successful but that's almost always my goal. Its got nothing to do with 'poliltico-speech', just common sense and being able to face the people I'm talking about.
Have you thought about getting the affected parents organized to fight the reassignment? You seem to know a lot of people in SE Raleigh--call them up and make sure they get their opinions out there.
still missing the point
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 20:04 — carson79The problem with the assignment is not what school or where, it was in the process!
I don't live in Southeast Raleigh - for all I know, those nodes may prefer to be in SE Raleigh High, but I do know that they should have had the same opportunities to comment that our area of the county nodes did. And the move should have been based on the same criteria.
I'm not missing the point.
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 20:58 — jenmanI'm not missing the point. I agree it was how the move was done. But it was done. I am suggesting that if you think it isn't right that these parents weren't given a chance to voice their opinion, then do something about it.
You have mentioned several times that you know people in SE Raleigh. So call them up and make sure that they are aware of the move. See if they are interested in fighting it and offer to help. If you don't know anybody in those nodes, then go down there and knock on some doors.
Have you written or called the board members to say that you're concerned about this move? That you're worried the parents had no input and might not be ready for this move to happen next year? Speak about it at the next board meeting. Write an LTE.
No, I don't find it funny at
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 18:32 — jenmanNo, I don't find it funny at all. I was trying to joke around with you with the pestering comment. You've joked before about your questions. Sorry if I offended you.
You can't be serious
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 09:44 — exYank_WCprinYou expect Sutton to respond to you???..someone who is in the process of dismantling decades of work by this community (Wake County)....someone who wanted their chidlren to go to school with children of their "own kind" and now all of a sudden is concerned about the graduation rates of minority...nice PR move Who came up with that strategy..Pope and Lundy??
Maybe you just need some "volunteer" hours and miles for your charity deduction helping your little "black brothers" and their families now that you have gotten your way and you feel a bit guilty. What a bunch of BS.
Hmm
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 18:55 — Bob_SconceExactly.
I'm really nothing like you
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 18:17 — jenmanI'm really nothing like you describe me. If you're ever at a meeting where I'm at, introduce yourself and talk to me. Maybe you won't change your mind about me, and that's ok too. I make mistakes like anybody else, but I've not done anything to feel guilty about. I always enjoy hearing other perspectives and would welcome yours as well.
Jennifer Mansfield
What is high risk for the
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 22:09 — danofncWhat is high risk for the board members?
They are unraveling a rat's nest, but in the process they are building a hornet's nest.
Dan, with all respect...
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 22:25 — petehsHere are just a few that come to mind having closely observed these people-candidates-members over the last 12 months:
Sounds like fun!
For anyone to say that these folks (all 9 of them, past, present or future) don't care about the future of each child and are deliberately creating problems for our community simply does not understand what is involved with having a high-profile leadership role in times of trial.
How about offering some support and solutions instead?
Wow
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 08:20 — supportwcpssYou could have made this same post 9 months ago and it would have applied.
"How about offering some
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 22:49 — danofnc"How about offering some support and solutions instead?"
They aren't interested in that....they have set their course.
They don't have to be stressed. They have five votes. Anything they want to happen will happen. Why is that stressful?
Want to pass a resolution ending the diversity policy without fully understanding the ramifications? Done.
Want to reassign some high school kids to follow up on a campaign promise to a mayor? Done.
The list is much longer, but you get the idea, right?
When there is an actual plan to evaluate, I will. At that point, I may actually support it.
Right now, I have to say it concerns me that 3 or 4 months into their terms the change that they have spent the most time deliberating is a 15 minute delay in the bell schedule.
They campaigned
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 21:53 — local23for community schools which may not always be the one closer to your neighborhood.
Breckenridge is huge and part was attending Carpenter, Green Hope and Cedar Fork.
The board is still having to contend with the original 3 - year plan and making some adjustments with more to come next year and the following year to undo the mess from the previous years