New Wake County Superintendent Tony Tata says he'll accept a request to meet with the state NAACP.
Tata said he will draft the response today to the open letter that the Rev. William Barber, president of the state NAACP, sent on Wednesday. No date has been set yet for the meeting.
It would be the latest example of Tata's willingness to meet with groups who've been critical of the school system. But unlike some critics, the state NAACP has filed complaints that led to both a federal civil rights investigation and the AdvancED accreditation review.
“I’ve said I would meet with anyone who wants to talk with me,” Tata said after Thursday's economically disadvantaged student performance task force meeting. “Why shouldn’t I meet with him?”
Tata sat through Thursday's ED task force discussion, which included heated exchanges about the elimination of the diversity policy between school board member John Tedesco and members of the audience.
UPDATE
Click here to read the letter that Tata faxed back to Barber today.
Tata writes that he's looking forward to having “an open and honest conversation” during a private one-on-one meeting with Barber.
Tata writes that he hopes the meeting "can be scheduled as soon as possible to allow us the opportunity to get to know and better understand each other as we establish what I hope will be a long-standing and productive relationship."
"I hope this will be the first of many opportunities for us to speak and work together," Tata writes. "We have common interests in improving the achievement of all students in Wake County. I firmly believe that we can find ways to work together to achieve this goal."
Comments
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Fri, 02/04/2011 - 21:26 — Sideburns"...I look forward to sitting down with you, one-on-one, in private..."
Barber wants an audience -- preferably with a TV camera running.
There will be a reply from Barber..........
Fri, 02/04/2011 - 21:53 — nancyncAnd if I was a betting person, I would have to say that one-on-one will be challenged or just ignored as he shows up with others for the meeting.
Just a hunch.
I agree. I don't think
Fri, 02/04/2011 - 22:21 — jeffrey1I agree. I don't think Barber will agree to meet one-on-one. He wants an audience, preferably with a TV camera. And I think Tata anticipated that and specifically requested a one-on-one. Smart move.
Barbar's shtick does not
Fri, 02/04/2011 - 22:42 — woodstockBarbar's shtick does not work one-on-one. Unless he can put on a show he is impotent. He does not have the substance or intellect for thoughtful dialog.
I think folks in Wake are
Fri, 02/04/2011 - 22:33 — AngelaWI think folks in Wake are gonna be pretty surprised....they are used to dealing with "homegrown" boys....Tata is not only from DC recently, but a military guy and I truly believe WCPSS to this guy (?) will really seem quite bucolic in comparision to his past endeavors....Barber's mousenuts compared to uh.say...battle strategy?. Tata's "big league", WCPSS is still uh.....Mayberry.
I certainly hope
Fri, 02/04/2011 - 11:46 — nancyncThat Tata is completely aware of the lawsuits filed by this man and that he considers having another at the meeting with him.
Barber just absolutely thinks he's above all else, I find it disgusting and self centered of him.
"Tata sat through Thursday's
Fri, 02/04/2011 - 10:57 — eddie2"Tata sat through Thursday's ED task force discussion, which included heated exchanges about the elimination of the diversity policy between school board member John Tedesco and members of the audience."
What about the main agenda item, Keith Sutton's report on the status of the achievement of African American males and improvement strategies? Was that part of the meeting cancelled?
Tata should first and
Fri, 02/04/2011 - 10:55 — JonesSausageTata should first and foremost schedule a meeting with McNeil and Burns.
Even if they disagree on points of policy, those two can give specific insights into the job that no one else can quite give, based on their experience.
As for the NAACP meeting, Tata has nothing to lose and everything to gain by agreeing to meet with them. He's not an idiot.
"I doubt anything productive
Fri, 02/04/2011 - 09:24 — woodstock"I doubt anything productive will materialize from this meeting."
I think a something productive could come out of the meeting. Tata will likely gain a much better understanding of the brand of snake oil Barbar is selling. Barber relies on bold rhetoric to hide his lack of substance, and Tata strikes me as the kind of guy that can filter that all out and deal with facts.
Speaks for Tata's wisdom and
Fri, 02/04/2011 - 09:10 — red_balloonSpeaks for Tata's wisdom and sense of responsibility in agreeing to meet with stakeholders. Too bad the same can't be said for the other party. And it defies logic that an earlier offer to meet with the Supdt + Chair + Vice Chair was turned down. I doubt anything productive will materialize from this meeting. Barber probably needs to set the stage for his next press release.
I think they explained
Fri, 02/04/2011 - 10:36 — wireless200I think they explained that. Why should one group of malcontents get special treatment and special meetings? They have a chance to speak to the board just like every one us does. Meeting with them in a special meeting only furthers their agenda to try to be seen as legitimate.
I think that red balloon is
Fri, 02/04/2011 - 10:53 — jenmanI think that red balloon is referring to Barber turning down the offer of a private meeting with Burns, Margiotta & Goldman.