The Wake County school board has voted 5-4 this afternoon along party lines to fire Superintendent Tony Tata, paying him one year's salary of $253,625 to terminate his contract early.
All five Democrats voted to fire Tata while the four Republicans voted no.
The board majority opted to pay Tata rather than try to fire him with cause, which would have allowed him to contest the decision. Tata was under contract through Dec. 31, 2014.
Stephen Gainey, the assistant superintendent for human resources, was named acting superintendent for up to 60 days.
UPDATE
Click here to view the online story. Click here to read Tata's separation agreement.
Tata, who was not at Tuesday’s meeting, said in a press conference after the vote that he wanted to stay. Tata said he was “proud of all we have accomplished,” citing things such as the rise in test scores, the narrowing of the achievement gap, raising the accreditation status of the high schools, expanding the STEM and Global Schools and creating two single-sex leadership academies.
“There is so much we have to do — and so much more I wanted to do,” said Tata, who didn’t take questions from reporters after he read his statement.
Comments
Mr. Sutton said the decision was not politically driven....
Thu, 09/27/2012 - 18:20 — Athey01if that was the case, why was the vote, 5/4, along party lines? What are the odds? What are the odds you can trust someone who looks into the camera and tells you that?
Now you know not to believe anything
Thu, 09/27/2012 - 20:16 — FSandYOUbig eyes tells you. He's a go-with-the-flow kinda guy. He has no real principals of his own and no ideas of substance.
Don't believe me?
Go ask Calla.
Everyone acts as if this is
Thu, 09/27/2012 - 06:38 — willynillyEveryone acts as if this is a new ripple in the WCPSS.
This guy is just another after thought in the politically correct WCPSS jusr as many bloggers are here.......along with the WCPSS employees on here who "spin" certain posts as if they will change the minds of readers because they attack the person and not the messge. The real problems are not going to be solved until someone throws themselves on their sword and brings out something substantial......like recordings and video!!!!!!!!!
Children are being bullied in the schools and teachers are powerless to do anything about it. Girls in the public school system are being sexually battered....witnesses....statements.....and the perpetrators walk the halls un scathed and unpunished. Any teacher who stands up for their students or calls out a principal for letting this happens gets railroaded. No one will listen. That includes WEP. I have taken the extreme steps of having the very students, parents and administrators of the abused students call certain elected representatives to tell their story....of why these parents and children have been "run off" from the public schools that they MUST pay for.....while also paying for their private school. These parents and children have spoken these representatives and the reps do the same old BS song and dance....sorry for yur troubles, what can we do? Then, when you tell them, "I'm sorry, we can't do that." The defenition of a team player in education? A teacher who sees all that is worng and keeps their mouth shut. I am NOT a team player and it's time my students were protected!!!!!!!!! It's time to name the idiots who have the information to fix the problem and still slink in the shadows as most COWARDS do. I have come on here and named names in the past and I am still here WCPSS. If that was so bad of me why didn't you do more than call my school and make some lame a$$ threat. Not even the elected representatives in the state will help....with ALL of the evidence in their hands.
Accreditation agency concerned about Wake schools turmoil
Thu, 09/27/2012 - 05:48 — AngelaWBut Elgart called the move "very troubling."
http://www.wral.com/news/education/wake_county_schools/story/11596834/
restless
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 11:29 — louiselee44I am so upset about what has happened in the course of two days that I can't think about anything else, much less get anything done. I find myself wanting to take to the streets - or just do something proactive. Of course my email to the school board members (also seen by our County Commissioners) had no effect on the outcome - these people already had their minds made up long ago. Here's the gist of what I said (sent prior to the vote, of course):
Dear School Board Members,
I write to you today of my own volition, as a concerned citizen of Wake County - and not at the urging of any individual or group. I write to express my views on the matter of Superintendent Tony Tata's employment by the WCPSS.
To say that I am shocked and upset by the news that there is a movement afoot to oust Superintendent Tata is an understatement. Many of you know that I am a fact-oriented person, and prefer to gather information directly from the source. In this instance, however, I am having to rely on what I read and hear in the media about this situation. That is a pity, since I really want to give you all the benefit of the doubt.
I showed up yesterday [Monday] just in time to hear Deborah Prickett's motion to continue with an open meeting voted down. I stayed as long as I could, but had to leave prior to the ending of the closed session. I plan to make the drive out to Cary again this afternoon.
I have been involved with the inner-workings of the WCPSS since I began teaching here in 1976. I have dealt with and worked with many superintendents since that time, serving in various leadership positions. I became a member of the Superintendent's Parent Advisory Council in 2005, at its inception, and served until my daughter graduated from the WCPSS in 2011.
I have found Superintendent Tata to be a true leader who doesn't "play games" or take sides to try and please a certain faction. He is a man of utmost integrity; a man who lets you know where he stands; a man who is not afraid to make decisions based on strong principles and on what he believes is best for students - all students, even though his actions are sure to result in personal attacks and verbal abuse.
Superintendent Tata has demonstrated time and again that he is more than qualified to lead a school system as large and as complicated as Wake County's. He listens, and he takes action, when it would have been easier to patronize. He is the leader who finally, after years and years of being ignored, took seriously cost information that a couple of us compiled, using WCPSS data, and he pushed for some changes in YR schools that saved our system some much-needed revenues.
It would be a grave disservice to the students, parents, and other citizens of this great county if our Superintendent is let go. If that happens, the way in which it happened will be under a microscope. Already, I have had engaged citizens ask me, "What is going on? Are the rumors true?", because they don't know where to go for answers that the public deserves to know.
Please, please, as you consider Superintendent Tata's future, look not at what he is (rank, party affiliation, etc.), but at who he is. I don't frighten easily, but right now, I am afraid for Wake County's future if the partisan, personal-attack atmosphere continues to be the modus operandi of many of our elected officials. I know many of you well enough to trust that you will take the high road and do what is right by Superintendent Tata and our students.
Sincerely,
Louise Lee
HA - so much for that trust!!! BTW, to those who say we are over-reacting, we're not - this is serious business. I can only hope that this decision will somehow backfire.
Amazing letter Louise.
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 18:39 — jenmanAmazing letter Louise.
General Tata
Fri, 09/28/2012 - 16:14 — archeo2Well, now, you said a mouthful!!! I can not agree any more except to say "ditto". Some other responders said just wait until election day. Well, why wait? Remember? There is such a thing as RECALL. And, I do believe it can be used in this case and, needless to say, it would take someone with more authority in the matter. Especially one with "Esq." after her/his name. Get me? And, people, don't be afraid of Democrats...be afraid of FEAR. All Republicans are not bad and some are even very smart. If you remember, Teddy R. saying, "Speak softly and carry a big stick." Well, we all know who speaks softly, don't we?
Teddy R
Fri, 09/28/2012 - 16:49 — Solon77The Republicans today are nothing like Teddy R. But aside from that. The assignment process has been a complete disaster only to be followed up by a disasterous transportation program. My daughter has a friend's brother who attends the Young Men's Leadership Academy. It seems that the school follows the Early College Calendar. This means those kids had school this past Wednesday. Anyway, my daughter's friend's brother takes the bus. The bus is an express to Enloe and then on to the Leadership Academy. Enloe was closed on Wednesday and there was no bus to take these kids to the Leadership Academy. Brilliant. While Tata has made some changes and introduced new programs to the system, the execution has been poor. Just start adding it up - it is a long list of one thing after another and is representative of poor judgement on what it really takes to get things properly done. Now we know why Tata needs a marketing department.
The change to the choice
Fri, 09/28/2012 - 20:08 — jeffrey1The change to the choice assignment plan was a huge deal that basically amounted to an attempt to turn around the Queen Mary. And everyone know that the Queen Mary does not turn on a dime. Of course there were going to be problems, and no amount of expertise would have accounted for all those problems. I equate it to a major revision to a critical piece of software without the opportunity to do system testing.. Imagine if Microsoft had to do a live transition from Windows Vista to Windows 7 with no ability to alpha/beta test. That's what we were dealing with here -- there was no ability to adequately "test" the assignment plan.
With all the grandfathering (i.e. an attempt to be parent friendly -- also never done in prior reassignments), there were bound to be some growing pains. And those kinks would have been worked out in subsequent years. Do you really think the transition to MYR went smoothly 5 years ago? Of course it didn't -- to this day, we still have overenrolled tracks, and underenrolled tracks, and each year, hundreds of newcomers miss the first weeks of schoool because they do not realize they've been assigned to a YR school.
As big as the bus debacle was, it has essentially been ironed out within 4 weeks -- a huge effort on the part of Tata and his administration that would have likely taken months under any other leader. The General actually got on the buses and rode the routes -- I can't see Del Burns or Bill McNeal ever doing something like that.
Instead of focusing on the problems, you should be focusing on the swift attention to the problems as they arose. That is what good leaders do.
bus
Fri, 09/28/2012 - 21:38 — turnerk1Perhaps the bus issues in your neck of the woods have been ironed out, but among my circle of friends, we are still having problems. Busses that just don't show up...routes that don't have a permanent driver or bus...busses that are still getting home many hours after school ends.
that is normal for WCPSS
Sat, 09/29/2012 - 07:21 — snordoneI have been a parent in this system for 13 years and it is normal to have a bus issue several times a month, either they don't show up at all or come so late that the kids are late to school.
It is a huge county with a lot of miles to cover and we've always had a tiered transportation system, so if something goes wrong at the HS level they just can't make it up in time for the MS and ES routes.
I honestly did not care about the buses being a mess this year, it is so trivial in the big picture.
Bottom line, this was an excuse to sack Tony. Maybe even a contrived setup that gave them an excuse to start the proceedings a month ago. I trust no one left over from the good old days.
Well if its intermittent,
Sat, 09/29/2012 - 00:10 — jeffrey1Well if its intermittent, that's been going on for the 13 years my kids have been school. At least several times per year, the bus doesn't show up, breaks down on the way home, etc.
If it's still day in and day out, then that's a problem. Hopefully the transportation department responds to what I am sure are frequent requests from you and your neighbors for some relief.
Well said.... Like I said
Fri, 09/28/2012 - 20:16 — shearertwWell said....
Like I said elsewhere, the only people who don't get that the people who wanted it to fail or just aren't paying attention.
How to anger independents, a lesson from the Wake BOE
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 10:39 — mankinsWith all the bickering, Tata was one of the only figures I trusted because of how he handled the old BOE majority. I hate to see him go. As an independent, the current Democrats have lost my vote for
They should have stuck with tweeking the current plan and working with Mr. Tata. I want good, stable schools for my daughters. I don't understand is why the Dem's are resorting to the same tactics that got the last majority voted out. I vote and this last month they have really made me angry. They will not like me when I am angry ... (Hulk reference, for the humor impaired).
FYI The Republicans on the
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 10:51 — woodstockFYI The Republicans on the board are the ONLY reason we even had Tata and a workable assignment plan for Yevonne Brannon and the BoE majority to disparage and destroy.
When have we had a workable assignment plan?
Fri, 09/28/2012 - 13:51 — ShannonDingleWait, what was the workable assignment plan? This year's one certainly didn't work well for our family or many others whose kindergarteners were guinea pigs for this year's debacle, wrought with technilogical glitches, numerous apologies from Tata and WCPSS along the way, divided neighborhoods, systemic busing problems, and myths of choice. The previous one didn't work either, with massive reassignments and busing. I can't recall any truly workable WCPSS assignment plan.
(Before you jump all over me for being in support of Tata's firing, I'm not. I'm an unaffiliated voter who is equally dismayed by the reckless and hasty actions of both the previous Republican majority and the current Democratic one... of what is supposed to be a NON-partisan board.)
So you were one of the 2000?
Fri, 09/28/2012 - 14:16 — FSandYOUThis current plan didn't work for you? That's unfortunate for your family, but as said below, this current plan was supported by the majority of voters and created after decades of nonsense from board members just like the hateful, arrogant and lying bunch that just court martialed Tony Tata.
If this plan didn't work for you there's always the next one. Maybe you'll get lucky next time, maybe it will be worse for you than it is now, but one thing is certain, you will get the least say about any of it that you have ever had and probably ever will have.
Massive reassignments are coming back with a vengeance and you can bet most schools will be year round by this time next year because there will be no public support of a bond at any amount.
Just hope you don't end up on track 2 like many will!
Have you ever considered for
Fri, 09/28/2012 - 14:03 — shearertwHave you ever considered for even a moment the tangled mess that WCPSS assignments has created with decades of nonsense? Did you really expect any new assignment plan to untangle that knot in its first year? Couple that with all the race baiting and "re-segregation" baseless bombs being thrown from the left throughout the creation of the new plan and its amazing it went off as well has it did! The vast majority of people were very happy with the new plan including many who have been screwed over for years. The most vocal whiners of the new plan came from the people who had been given special treatment for years, were new to the system or had just been lucky so far with assignments and didn't realize their turn was coming under the old plan.
The choice plan would have improved year after year because more logical patterns would have naturally developed. I'm simply stunned at the people out their who thought the first year of any assignment plan was going to be pulled off without a hitch especailly in this nightmare of a school system. I can only believe the people who think that either didn't want it to work and jumped at the opportunity to call foul or they were just not paying attention.
I have been dealing with a
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 09:27 — tropicalgirlI have been dealing with a sick child for the past few days and missed a lot of this - probably good as it has enraged and saddened me. Good luck getting a bond cause it's not going to happen. Not one parent that I talked to this morning is willing to vote for it now after the board flagrantly wasted $250,000 to get rid of someone who said he wanted to finish his job. And most had no idea about GSIW and its influence.
If there is a recall effort, I'm in.
"And most had no idea about
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 09:33 — AngelaW"And most had no idea about GSIW and its influence. "
and therein lies the problems we are now facing.
I agree but how would
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 10:22 — tropicalgirlI agree but how would parents who don't follow this blog and who aren't affiliated with any of these groups know about GSIW? If I didn't follow this blog, I probably wouldn't have connected the dots. In fact, I had no idea who Amy Lee was until I heard her at a board meeting and someone posted the next day she was affiliated with GSIW. Parents with children who are just entering the school system or who are in early grades probably didn't pay much attention to any of this before and a lot of the GSIW and other baggage goes back years.
That just shows the
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 10:43 — woodstockThat just shows the importance of getting engaged and paying attention. The treacherous truths are rarely publicized, primarily because the folks engaged in the treachery -- GSIW in this case -- want to influence the decision makers on the sly, so they lie and deceive. Give them credit though, they orchestrated a successful coup and kicked the public's a$$ this time. They even turned poor ol' "weak" Keith Sutton. Of course he had Calla Wright yammering in his one ear and Yevonne Brannon in the other, so he was too worn down to make a principled decision.
I had a laughable moment last night at a PTA Back to School
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 12:16 — raleighlaura...Picnic. One of the parents came up to me and asked "what is going on with the school board? Why did they fire the Superintendent?" I explained that it was because he didn't share the new Board Majority's opinions and had put forth another choice based assignment plan that used an address based system. The mom said "oh, but the current majority are the good guys, right? The people who were just elected? Why would they fire someone who is doing such a good job?" I laughed and said that they just asked a very good question, and that 'good' and 'bad' are relative, and then suggested she write to the board members and ask that very question. Later on in the conversation, she sputtered "But Democrats are supposed to protect people from Republicans who are trying to take advantage of the little guy!" I replied "Really? Have you been watching who is taking advantage of whom lately?" Underwood, Joyner and Wiley will now have 80% of the seats at these fine "magnet" schools set aside for base students. So why waste money keeping their magnet status? Why not de-magnetize them all together and put those three program in racially-identifiable schools? And who is the Board rep for that area? And who benefits from this arrangement? Hmmm. Makes one think, eh?
I don't think any of the majority board members are evil people who wish harm on others, but I do think they are willing to subject my children to long bus rides for the sole purpose of making each school look like the melting pot community, whether or not those kids live anywhere near the school (except for those Group 3 magnets- gotta keep the wealthy voters happy!). I think that I, as a parent, should be allowed to decide whether or not I think the benefits of the distant school outweigh the costs to attend for my kid, my family, and my involvement in the distant school. That's why we have the (non Group 3) magnet program!
"I don't think any of the
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 13:53 — woodstock"I don't think any of the majority board members are evil people who wish harm on others..."
I wish I was as sure as you are about that.
"But Democrats are supposed
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 13:42 — shearertw"But Democrats are supposed to protect people from Republicans who are trying to take advantage of the little guy!"
That's priceless! It also saddens me because that is the narritive (which originates from the Democrats and is perpetuated by the media) that is going to drive this country off the same cliff WCPSS just went over.
"But Democrats are supposed
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 13:50 — woodstock"But Democrats are supposed to protect people from Republicans who are trying to take advantage of the little guy!
I know voting is a right, but when I hear nonsense like this it makes me consider whether or not there should be some kind of a capability test to qualify folks to vote... you know, to ensure they have even basic awareness.
Would having the capability
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 14:07 — shearertwWould having the capability to obtain a photo ID be good start?
photo ID....
Fri, 09/28/2012 - 16:30 — archeo2It works when you use a credit card, go to the hospital, every time you go to the doctors' office, pickup a prescription and many other things, right? Why not use it also for one, or should I say the most important of our rights under our Constitution? If Our Constitution is not important to you.....just go away without one of the services you want. Many organizations have offered to pick you up and drive you to get an ID and if you don't have the proper documentation to get one, why are you here? Everyone should have a birth certificate and if not, ya need to get one from the county you were born in. They do issue duplicate/originals. It's been I'll bet 100-years at least since these certificates were started to be issued. So, that makes you over 100. Gee, good luck! Yes, having a photo ID is a good thing and especially if it's legit.
Minor point, but it is
Fri, 09/28/2012 - 16:37 — jeffrey1Minor point, but it is actually against the merchants agreement with credit card companies to ask for an id when using a credit card.
And the only id I need at the hospital, the doctor's office and the pharmacy is my insurance card which does not have a photo.
Well, I've had to pull
Fri, 09/28/2012 - 20:34 — shank56Well, I've had to pull out my drivers license at 2 doctors offices I've been to this year , along with my insurance card. Even though I've been a patient at both for 25+ years.
I like the fact that these people are screening all to avoid fraud.
So which hospital in Wake County did not require you to produce a photo ID?
Wake Med - went in on an
Fri, 09/28/2012 - 20:48 — jeffrey1Wake Med - went in on an ambulance!
Indeed. Then at least we'd
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 14:20 — woodstockIndeed. Then at least we'd know that they were able to accomplish one of the most basic things required to do things like get a job, attend school, enter a government building, or engage in commerce. Come to think of it, you also need an ID to get food stamps or collect welfare.
Many voters prefer to be oblivious.
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 22:23 — raleighlauraAnd I get it- caring about this stuff is entirely too frustrating, and it's next to impossible to effect positive change anyway. I think sometimes it is easier to just go along than it is to fight and care, so I understand her confusion. And as a Democrat, I'm just sad that this is how this group of people chose to conduct themselves.
One of my older Democratic
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 14:05 — shank56One of my older Democratic relatives would have agreed with you, Woodie. She used to say, "Those ignorant people in Eastern NC will believe anything they hear and that's why Jesse was originally elected and keeps getting elected."
Battle Damage
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 08:41 — Voice_of_Reason_The best interests of the children of Wake County and WCPSS were greatly harmed today by the firing of Superintendent Tata.
1. - There is no doubt that the board is totally dysfunctional and mired in liberal politics. Despite the fact that school board elections are supposed to be non-partisan, the Democrats pulled out all stops to regain liberal control of our school board in the last election. Thuggery was used to thwart the last board at every opportunity. BGen Tata was best thing that came out of that board.
2. BGen Tata was able to smooth feathers and defuse the racial tensions the Democrats fired up to achieve their goals.
3. GSIW have cost taxpayers in our county over 1/4 of a million dollars [the costs of hiring someone else TBD] by pushing their agenda. This money comes out of education money that our children could use in these tight budget times.
4. Any hope of getting public support for a new bond issue is DOA for the near term.
5. The BOE and CC's relations have been torpedoed.
6. A fine public servant, BGen Tata, has been unfairly treated by our community. This will reflect poorly on WCPSS's reputation.
All I can say is I think the taxpayer's bill should be sent to GSIW and the Democratic party.
Petty Jerks !
P.S. Those that think they had something on BGen Tata, think again. The Republican members would not have reacted the way they did if that were the case.
Interesting.....
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 05:25 — willynillythat the HR Super has been tapped to take over temporarily. That office smells to high heaven all the way back to Maurice Boswell and the shenanigans that went on when he was in that office. And to try and bring back Del Burns? Well, with all of the mailings I have done maybe I need to send some things to each of the county board members, too. That way they can get an even better view of hos the WCPSS is spending taxpayer money and the risks the system has taken over lawsuits.
Do you know actually Dr. Gainey?
Fri, 09/28/2012 - 13:55 — ShannonDingleI worked for him as a teacher at Leesville Road High School (when he was the principal there), and he has more integrity, leadership ability, and passion for the education of all students than any educator I've ever met.
If WCPSS has any sense
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 08:27 — exYank_WCprinthey will choose Gainey as superintendent. He's young, buth he's a year older than John Murphy who took over in 1976, and John was one of the better ones we had.
I believe I speak for everyone who writes or reads this blog, please do us a favor and find a hobby and take your crusade elsewhere.
The condescending tone of
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 14:33 — HJ2ss2The condescending tone of your post leads me to believe you are oblivious to the real problem or possibly part of the problem. I can only hope that as a WCprin you have better judgement and weigh all sides before passing judgement when it comes to matters concerning students.
a superintendent in Alabama
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 08:17 — snordonesued his BOE for being fired for no cause, the guy actually won his lawsuit.
shhhhh
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 09:16 — FSandYOUdon't give it away yet.
wptf
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 01:19 — redcityMentioned that they may be trying to bring back Burns. Maybe that explains the speed in which this all happened.
They are recycling busing
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 10:33 — starsonoursThey are recycling busing for diversity which was a failed plan. Might as well bring back a failed Superintendent to run it.
duh. worst.kept.secret.
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 09:20 — AngelaWduh.
worst.kept.secret.
did Hill really respond to:
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 23:53 — neverindoubt"what qualities would you want to see a Super have that Tata doesn't?" with: "I'll have to get back to you on that"! Seriously?
How do we mount a RECALL ELECTION? This is the craziest thing I've ever seen! Martin, the moron, going on and on about himself and his non-partisanship? That was his time to calmly explain to the public WHY! We still don't know WHY!
What reasonable, competent person will take this job when they fired the last guy for doing the job he was hired for.
What reasonable, competent
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 23:56 — jenmanWhat reasonable, competent person will take this job when they fired the last guy for doing the job he was hired for.
That is the truly scary thing.
at least a possibility...
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 00:18 — louiselee44Think they'll just keep Gainey on as Super.?
still reeling
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 23:16 — louiselee44This is a travasty for the students, parents, and other citizens of Wake County. I don't care what the 5 who ousted Tata say, this has politics, resentment, and revenge written all over it. I don't scare easily, but I fear for the future of our school system right now. I've seen a lot since 1976, when I first became involved with WCPSS, but have never witnessed the likes of this. Just trying to come to grips with it all before deciding what to do next...
Stay Tuned....
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 22:13 — JanisTangoI just had an email forwarded to me that stated to stay tuned. There is something in the works to get these 5 ousted. I don't know if it's legitimate, but if it can be done, the timing is perfect. There are a lot of really PO'd people tonight.
oh please do keep us posted...
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 23:06 — neverindoubtis it too much to hope for a possible recall? Still wouldn't bring Tata back but could get rid of the nuts before 2015.