Is Cathy Truitt going to drop out of the District 2 school board runoff election?
Truitt said today that she's holding a Monday press conference to announce whether she'll continue in the race against John Tedesco. She says she's spending the weekend considering what to say on Monday.
“I’m weighing my options,” Truitt said today. “I have heard from so many people who are concerned about resegregation of the schools.”
Truitt received 23.8 percent of the vote on Oct. 6. Tedesco got 49.4 percent of the vote, falling 43 votes shy of a majority needed to avoid a runoff.
Truitt reemphasized today that forced busing is dead. But she said that going to pure neighborhood schools would lead to resegregation. She said she's helping stimulate a discussion on finding a third way.
“People didn’t believe there was a choice between forced busing and resegregation of neighborhood schools,” Truitt said. “Now they’re beginning to see there’s a choice.”
Whether Monday's press conference will lead to Truitt dropping out or is an attempt to get publicity remains to be seen. She could announce Monday that so many people want her to be a voice against resegregation that she's staying on even though the odds are long.
UPDATE
Wake County Board of Elections Director Cherie Poucher said it's too late for a candidate to be removed from the Nov. 3 ballot. If Truitt submits a written letter saying she's withdrawing, tnen any votes she receives would not count.
Comments
In the end, I am glad
Sun, 10/18/2009 - 08:24 — RevHiDIn the end, I am glad district 2 will have their say. They will still be left with high F&R schools in their neighborhoods, even without bussing in from southeast Raleigh. And being right next door to the highest concentration of poverty in Wake County, they will not escape the effects if neighborhood schools fail.
Enough.
Sat, 10/17/2009 - 22:45 — Momto3NCShe is getting calls from people concerned over resegregation of schools? Is she serious? It is very sad if anyone has listened to her enough that they believe that. I am on the Executive PTA Board in District 2 and I can tell you that not one parent in our school has expressed this concern. In fact it is quite the contrary. It is pathetic that the county has used Garner as a dumping ground for Southeast Raleigh. These children instead of being bussed across town and then some will now be able to go to school near their homes. It is about time. I really wish Ms. Truitt would stop with the resegregation scare tactic and stop this run off. Let's move foward with no bussing...lets try something else, because what they are currently doing isn't working.
Pull out while there's time
Sat, 10/17/2009 - 22:24 — concerned2She could retain some measure of dignity if she would do the right thing and pull out.
1. The race-baiting "resegregation" cry should be beneath a learned person such as Mrs. Truitt and is as divisive as it is ineffective.
2. She's already cost the taxpayers for ballots that would go to precincts where the runoff is the only vote, but could mitigate that by keeping us from having to open/close all those extra precincts on Nov. 3.
3. I would certainly allow a candidate to exercise their right for a runoff, but Mrs. Truitt didn't even get half the votes that Mr. Tedesco did. Statistically, it's a waste of time and money from the start.
4. Mrs. Truitt's equivocations have become her greatest liability. If she were to win, she would never be able to cast a vote that happened to favor the status quo without either selling out for power, or having people think that's what she did.
It's called NCLB mandates !
Sat, 10/17/2009 - 22:13 — Voice_of_Reason_Children must be given the option of being bussed out of a failing Title I school. It's the law and it's an OPTION. The parents can decide. Race is a non-issue in this whole discussion legally. SCOTUS has ruled that you cannot bus for race alone, Wake county used socio-economic status to bypass that ruling. It also used a method of busing mainly low performing nodes out of Title I schools to "cook the books" for the Feds.
A lie by any measure
Sat, 10/17/2009 - 20:41 — Dadof3Let's be clear: segregation was a legally sanctioned and enabled political system that has been, thankfully, made illegal and dismantled on a number of levels, though much sacrifice, pain and blood. No one can enable resegregation, and again, thankfully so. There's no significant political will for its return, and my rise to fight any group that suggests to bring it back will not mistake my ire and counter-attack. To say that a Tedesco victory would bring back segregation (i.e., legally-sanctioned and enabled segregation) is profoundly and disgustingly dishonest to its core, and yes, it is a only a torrid and demagogic smear which clearly aligns Truitt in the status-quo group still drunk-mad with its social experiment and arrogant disregard for Wake County parents and children.
To conflate voluntary demographic clustering with segregation, invariably done in this context, is just more of the same dissembling.
The resegregation I am
Sun, 10/18/2009 - 08:20 — RevHiDThe resegregation I am concerned about is economic resegregation. It won't happen out of a legal mandate, it will happen because people with low incomes cannot afford to live in an affluent neighborhood. Demographics that cluster economically disadvantaged people together are not a choice, except for wealthy people who routinely campaign against affordable housing that will lower their property values.
Still dishonest
Sun, 10/18/2009 - 09:10 — Dadof3Again; it is simply a lie to use the words segregation or resegregation in this context. The good Dr/ should know that but apparently she doesn't or wishes to abuse language for personal gain. Wake County voters should vote accordingly. Of course poor families can't afford live in wealthy areas, but if you call this the same as a government-enforced policy of "separate but equal" then shame on you and this vile abuse of language. It remains intellectually and conceptually dishonest. There's a world of difference and yes it matters. We're not going to fix this problem if we only demagogue on the matter.
Having said that, I would love to see an elective system available for parents who desire a school other than the one closest to them. That is a world apart from what we have today. I am aware, however, that I have much greater faith in Wake County parents than our current WCPSS has.
But SHE Didn't Say "Separate But Equal"
Sun, 10/18/2009 - 09:22 — chaboard..she said "resegregation". You're the one hung up on and advancing the rather obvious lie that there is only one kind of segregation - that it can only be used to describe government forced segregation. That is an argument that is not only thoroughly dishonest but also utterly laughable.
Heh...
Sun, 10/18/2009 - 11:09 — Bob_SconceBut, when supporters of the status quo talk about "resegregation," and not wanting to "return to the past," or the policies of "separate but equal," they are deliberately conjuring up images of past forced segregation. Those words bring an awful lot of baggage with them, especially here in the South. The status quo supporters are very aware of that baggage and are using it deliberately.
I agree that voluntary segregation exists. But, that's not the spectre that status quo supporters are trying to raise. Instead, they're acting like a change in the school board will bring back the days of Jim Crow.
There's nothing dishonest about deconstructing your opponents' language.
Bob and the anti-diversity
Sun, 10/18/2009 - 12:18 — user12345Bob and the anti-diversity group's use of "bussing" does not have alot of baggage and isn't being used deliberately to revive the 60's race wars? It is quite likely that a change in the school board will bring about schools that are mostly Black or Poor and a few that will be mostly White just like other other urban areas where there is Black, White, Hispanic side of town ... sure anyone can live in any area under the law but everyone know which areas a person belongs ...
Uh, no...
Sun, 10/18/2009 - 17:58 — Bob_SconceThat's not my intention. I was born in 1968 -- the only things I know about what you call the "Race Wars" were learned in history class. I use the word "busing" because it's pretty hard to talk about the diversity policy--which is based on busing students around to balance school populations--without it. In contrast, it's very easy to support the diveristy policy without claiming that the opposition want to go back to "separate but equal."
As far as a person's skin color determining where he "belongs," welcome back to 1950. My neighborhood has people of a bunch of different races, nationalities and religions. In any given week, we have kids from at least 3 different races stromping through the house -- imagine that in 1950! Who's the current President and how many white people voted for him? The US is rapidly moving past racism.
George Wallace and W.A. Gayle are dead, and the remaining survivors from their generation and worldview are rapidly turning into public jokes. It's good that old racists and old civil rights leaders die, so their battles can die with them.
“I was born in 1968 --
Mon, 10/19/2009 - 09:08 — user12345“I was born in 1968 -- the only things I know about what you call the "Race Wars" were learned in history class.”
Maybe that is part of the problem in this mess …. There are Blacks who remember being humiliated during segregation and White like me who remember White and Black schools and the conflict they created and than there are younger people like you who only know these things from history book … sort of like the Crusades or the Civil War.
I hope you fully understand that without diversity that people will choose up sides by race, income, party, eye color, you name it … trying to find like-minded people that reflect their values. And that is what I think it come down to is values ... was it you or SDR you mentioned, “Give a Damn Parents” which I thought was insightful? People look for clues of GDP by looking at the racial make up of a school, the scores, the PTA’s accomplishments, or some state or national recognition and than try to join the team by moving to a golden node. I can understand the anger if you paid a premium for a house to be part of the “A” team and got a reassigned to a “B” school … nothing like money to get people angry. So, make no mistake that without diversity, this area will move to people migrating to certain area and we will end up with Black and White school and High and Low wealth schools like every other place in theUS
“My neighborhood has people of a bunch of different races, nationalities, and religions. In any given week, we have kids from at least 3 different races stomping through the house -- imagine that in 1950!”
I am guessing your “neighborhood” is filled with people of similar income and values. I am guessing you don’t have any kids from SE trambing through your home – they all share your values or you would not have allowed them in. We have come a long way but given human nature to re-segregate, I would not take it for granted that the change is permanent.
So...
Mon, 10/19/2009 - 09:58 — Bob_SconceYes, and it's a good thing that those folks are diminishing in influence. Nobody wants to forget that segregation was once reality. But, old soldiers constantly refight their battle. We are rapidly moving into a post-racist world; those who see the world through the eyes of "Race Wars" are becoming dinosaurs.
Interesting letter here: http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/letters/story/144827.html
Bob, I don't think you are
Mon, 10/19/2009 - 10:29 — user12345Bob, I don't think you are getting it ... you think racism is over in the US ... while not as visible I think if you find any segregated schools system where some schools are mostly Black and others mostly White you will find tension that does not exist here.... I am guessing you might be a little sheltered in your neighborhood where the world looks much more rosy than outside ... and I don't blame you fro wanting to shelter your kids from that real world .......btw, I noticed you did not reference the letter from the PTA president in Charlotte who described the dark side of neighborhood schools from real life.
Pfft...
Mon, 10/19/2009 - 21:53 — Bob_SconceObviously somebody who doesn't know me.
Of course racism isn't over in the US. But, it's much diminished and is on its way out. We are far closer to judging people by the content of their character instead of the color of their skin than we ever have been. Could it be that solutions that worked in the past have run their course and are now more impediments than improvements?
I haven't read the letter from the Charlotte PTA president. But, frankly, I'm not particularly interested in what Charlotte is doing -- they have a much different district than we do here. The only reason Charlotte is remotely interesting is that their scores approximate WCPSS', despite having a lot more poor students and a lot less busing. That doesn't mean that we should copy their system (although there may be parts of it that make sense). But, it does mean that WCPSS' results can be obtained without WCPSS' methods.
White
Sun, 10/18/2009 - 13:07 — SDR256White. What do you mean by white exactly? As we've said before one of the most successful Western Wake Elementary schools is NOT mostly white. Or, do you mean 'acting white' - as in concerned about education and willing to work for economic success? There are plenty of non-white people I know who act that way, if that's what you mean by white. Many of their children attend schools around where I live. Yes, I think many of my neighbors share a certain value system, but I don't think it is unique to a specific race, demographic or economic situation.
I've said before that the stories I've heard from my OWN neighbors about how they pulled themselves up from nothing - I mean dirt poor, coal mine, working at 12 yrs old to feed the family nothing - so that their kids could have a better life - has astounded me. Is this what you mean by white? But some of these folks I've talked to are not white. So, I'm very confused as to what you mean by these rich white, spoiled folks in the suburbs. It doesn't fit the people I know. You should get out more, user. It will give you greater hope in your fellow man. You'll see a lot of hardworking, high moral people with brown and black faces. You might be surprised. But maybe you'd think they're acting white.
Pretty soon this will be a moot point. In a couple of generations there won't be enough 'white' kids to 'balance' the majority of the population. What a relief that will be.
“White. What do you mean
Sun, 10/18/2009 - 14:32 — user12345“White. What do you mean by white exactly? “
White – as defined on the WCPSS demographics ….
http://www.wcpss.net/demographics/race-ethnicity/WCPSS_GRS_SRS-2009-10.xls
Here is how WCPSS defines White and Black
“Yes, I think many of my neighbors share a certain value system, but I don't think it is unique to a specific race, demographic or economic situation. “
Comment: I really think all the turmoil is more about values than race or income … there is a clash of cultures and values that is intertwined with race and income that some people have a hard time dealing with …
“So, I'm very confused as to what you mean by these rich white, spoiled folks in the suburbs.”
Sorry, I did not see “rich”, “spoiled”, or “suburbs” in my post .. please stick what I wrote without editorizing …
“ You'll see a lot of hardworking, high moral people with brown and black faces. You might be surprised. But maybe you'd think they're acting white. “
I might consider that nearly a racist comment (which does not imply you are a racist) … many brown and black faces might consider it demeaning that you would have any doubts about them being hardworking and moral people or that Whites have some corner on those two attributes.
“Pretty soon this will be a moot point. In a couple of generations there won't be enough 'white' kids to 'balance' the majority of the population. What a relief that will be.”
Yep and there won’t be anymore running or any neighborhoods left to hide.
I understand you interest in trying to find other families who value education like you do but your neighborhood, race or income may not be the way to find them. Also higher income kids may not have the values you want either as seen by the murder of Mathew Silliman by the four Apex / Panther Creek kids.
What other?
Sun, 10/18/2009 - 15:28 — SDR256What other races to they track? There are so many. And please let me clarify
"I might consider that nearly a racist comment (which does not imply you are a racist) … many brown and black faces might consider it demeaning that you would have any doubts about them being hardworking and moral people or that Whites have some corner on those two attributes. "
My point was that YOU had brought up race. And from many of your posts over time its clear that you have a certain expectation of certain people. So in your racial context that you set up, I was trying to explain that YOU might be surprised at the individuality that is out there. Labels and categories erase individuality. They are dehumanizing. I don't like labels. I find it annoying and insulting when someone - in this case you - brought up the old label based arguments. This is about socio-economic mixing, remember? So why do you think they track race?
"So why do you think they
Sun, 10/18/2009 - 22:22 — user12345"So why do you think they track race?"
Because it is the law? Probably some federal law to prevent discrimination or part of NCLB ...
I am not surprised
Sun, 10/18/2009 - 10:08 — Dadof3That you find careful and appropriate word usage amusing.
Confusing
Sat, 10/17/2009 - 23:58 — SDR256Yeah, and this is confusing anyway. Last I heard the status quo was trying to say that diversity busing was not about race. And now, removal of diversity busing will mean resegregation? Resegregation is a racial term, correct? Seems like those on the status quo side of the debate want to have it both ways. Fact is, no one is kept out of ANY Wake County school because of their race.
There is a big question in my mind about how the formulas used for the (previous, god willilng, previous) diversity policy assignments are done, and how racially weighted they are in reality. And assignments to higher level math ala the SAS report....well......that's another matter. WCPSS has been much more focused on race than any other party in this discussion. And its my humble opinion that it hasn't been in the best interest of the children.
Let's support children in their WHOLE selves please! Labels are dehumanizing.
resegregation??
Sat, 10/17/2009 - 19:06 — thegrassisnotgreenerI wish Mrs. Truitt would stop using the term resegregation. It is an insult to Mr. Tedesco, who is not a racist or a segregationist, and to the people who live in district 2 whom the vast majority voted for Mr. Tedesco. We are not looking for segregation.
Typical scare tactic politics. Sorry, it's not going to work here.
"It is an insult to Mr.
Sun, 10/18/2009 - 10:57 — user12345"It is an insult to Mr. Tedesco, who is not a racist or a segregationist, "
I think John thinks is it ok for Blacks to go to a Black school and poor kids to go to a majority poor school ... he has the experience working with both and I am willing to give him a chance ... so, if under this new group we resegregate the schools into majory Black and/or poor schools and there is some magic that makes the situation better (e.g. magnets, more TAs, Title I funding, etc.) I would give John a try ... if it does not work out, we can go back to mixing everyone up again ... education is all about cycles ... every generation screws with the education system (e.g. phonics bad / sight reading good) ... so I am willing to ride the wave and see if John can produce better results...
You cite history (well,
Mon, 10/19/2009 - 07:06 — woodstockYou cite history (well, your view of it anyway), yet you do not seem to understand what segregation was and was not. To characterize eliminating the useless practice of busing for economic diversity to "resegregation" is ridiculous and wrong. It puts you among the ranks of people who use race as a weapon.
WSCA
Sat, 10/17/2009 - 18:21 — SDR256WSCA has been talking about Door #3 for months. How convenient.
Talking about it, but not
Sun, 10/18/2009 - 08:15 — RevHiDTalking about it, but not telling us how they'll find it.
There's been rich discussions here and elsewhere
Sun, 10/18/2009 - 09:13 — Dadof3But, you're free to read what you wish; I love choice. You shouldn't confuse your anecdotal experience with what's been going on, however.