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
no recall
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 14:55 — turnerk1State law doesn't allow recall of school board members
Recall
Fri, 09/28/2012 - 16:42 — archeo2If State Law does not all recall of school board members, does it accept firing them? And, everyone would even know why they (five) were axed, too. Too much partisanship and not enough thought and awareness of their jobs and care for the kids. I really thought BGen Tata did a fine job. He seemed to plan his work, and work his plan. It had growing pains but they were being worked out and Plan B was installed. This man was only doing his job and trying to save the County/State some money, OUR Tax MONEY people! Get it. Just like us, you can live with one car, it just takes some tweaking. Take two asprin and call me in the morning.
A bit skeptical about the settlement
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 21:14 — shank56Something in my gut says there is a skeleton somewhere in the closet that has made this process go too fast and so smoothly for there not to be cause. The General chose not to fight or to skirmish when he and they deny cause.
Something tells me there was some sort of incident of embarassment that has been pulled to make all surrender. Anyone else have this sense?
There could be some dirt on 1 of the 5
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 23:24 — FSandYOUthat court martialed Tony Tata today. They could have sent him away to avoid their own embarrassment.
You mean a sense like that?
Tata has authored books and
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 06:19 — woodstockTata has authored books and there are likely more on the way. I am betting in the not too distant future some truths will be revealed.
It is not beyond Wake County
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 22:44 — HJ2ss2It is not beyond Wake County to fabricate "some sort of incident of embarassment" in order to tender a resignation. Their accusations can get ugly.
Well...your post is
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 22:42 — shearertwWell...your post is certainly an embarrassment.
LOL That is just so lame. So
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 21:31 — woodstockLOL That is just so lame. So now you are just going to make stuff up and spew innuendo? Pitiful. Maybe that thing in your gut is bile from so much hatred and vitriol.
Sutton, Kushner, Martin Evans, and Hill are cowards for firing him for no reason... other than pure partisanship.
The truth is, the far left was scared to death that Tata's success would continue and it would be widely acknowledged that a retired General and conservative could be so enormously effective as a superintendent. It was their worst nightmare because schools across the country would try to replicate the success and the left's domination within academia would be upset.
board's vote to approve a
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 21:19 — AngelaWboard's vote to approve a separation agreement in which Tata receives more than $250,000.
the board, correction the 5 voted for the separation agreement so THEY wouldn't have to show cause.
if they outright fired him, he could appeal, that's what they board, excuse me, the 5 wanted to avoid.
No...
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 21:33 — JanisTangoHe said he would continue through his contract and do his job....they said thanks, but no thanks! Keep trying to justify this, because you are one of few. This was a political stunt that is going to cost this county plenty and I'm not just talking dollars and cents!
What could the General
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 21:17 — starsonoursWhat could the General fight? The majority was exercising the buyout clause of the contract. They did not need his permission to do this.
Yeh.. i know. What a sad
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 08:17 — shank56Yeh.. i know. What a sad state of affairs for the county and the kids. I liked Tata and do not agree with what they did.
looking ahead to future
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 20:05 — snordoneDemocrats for Education Reform (DFER)
Statement of Principles
A first-rate system of public education is the cornerstone of a prosperous, free and just society, yet millions of American children today – particularly low-income and children of color - are trapped in persistently failing schools that are part of deeply dysfunctional school systems. These systems, once viewed romantically as avenues of opportunity for all, have become captive to powerful, entrenched interests that too often put the demands of adults before the educational needs of children. This perverse hierarchy of priorities is political, and thus requires a political response.
Both political parties have failed to address the tragic decline of our system of public education, but it is the Democratic Party – our party – which must question how we allowed ourselves to drift so far from our mission. Fighting on behalf of our nation's most vulnerable individuals is what our party is supposed to stand for.
Democrats for Education Reform aims to return the Democratic Party to its rightful place as a champion of children, first and foremost, in America's public education systems.
We support leaders in our party who have the courage to challenge a failing status quo and who believe that the severity of our nation's educational crisis demands that we tackle this problem using every possible tool at our disposal.
We believe that reforming broken public school systems cannot be accomplished by tinkering at the margins, but rather through bold and revolutionary leadership. This requires opening up the traditional top-down monopoly of most school systems and empowering all parents to access great schools for their children.
We know that decisive action today will benefit our children, our party and ultimately our nation.
A good laugh
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 08:59 — Voice_of_Reason_They are the failing Status Quo. Show me one school district in this country that is run by liberals that is doing good. The only INDIVIDUAL schools they can point to as sucessful are when they avoid economic diversity in school districts. The external champion of economic diversity in WCPSS send his own children to one in Baltimore, MD.....he should know.
I know, Wake is the twilight zone
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 15:59 — snordoneWe had a conservative superintendent providing resources to low income Title I schools and a republican school board that fought for equal access of minority children to rigorous courses.
We have a democrat on the board who says that the parents next to wiley have paid a premium for those houses and therefore deserve to go to their neighborhood school. We have GSIW members living in a gated community, backdooring their kids into elite magnets and then rallying to get rid of the superintendent who actually took care of all schools and raised achievement across schools in our most vulnerable subgroups.
I get it. Cut me some slack and let me have some faith in the democrats on a national level.
Wake is not the twilight zone, at least not in this regard
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 23:51 — nmoskalWe had...a republican school board that fought for equal access of minority children to rigorous courses.
I get that in the craziness of modern politics it may not be obvious, but that is actually exactly the sort of thing that true republicans believe in doing - it is actually part of their republican oath -
I believe in equal rights and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, age, sex or national origin...
As for the dem piece of your post, I believe there is well known (nothing twilight about it) subset of the Democratic Party often referred to as "liberal elites". Each party has its good and bad eggs.
IMO the key to finding a solution for our political mess at every level, is figuring out how the good eggs could come together and work together, rather than abdicating so much to the bad eggs.
".....a conservative
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 16:22 — shearertw".....a conservative superintendent providing resources to low income Title I schools and a republican school board that fought for equal access of minority children to rigorous courses."
Just for your information, those are values most Republicans would agree with on a national level. You've just been listening to liberals and Democrats define Republicans/Conservatives for too long. Time to seek out other sources of information.
FYI--once you leave the
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 23:01 — DrActualFactualFYI--once you leave the party you don't have to keep reading their propaganda. If you run short I'll send you some Republican reading material.
it is bipartisan propaganda :)
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 08:10 — snordonethere are a few of us who are looking for a way out of this mess......
These guys will be ousted in 3 years, that is for sure. I have normal, everyday parents who never speak up now enraged at what these guys did with Tata and the reassignment plan. Lori Millberg said something important after the election in 2009 - "we pushed them too far." Well, now they have done it again.
So now we have 3 years to find candidates who can fill the void. Between now and then I predict the democratic party will wake up too. I think Eric's prediction of dividing us into smaller districts will come true, along with a lot of charters. The districts that are well run will keep their schools full, the ones that are not will not.
In 2008 we had 2400 applications to Magellin and Endeavor, that was enough to clear out Baileywick, West Millbrook and Jeffrey's Grove. The trouble was there were only 400 seats. Next time there will be 800 seats, then 1600 seats, then finally enough to meet demand.
They have also handed the republicans the election this fall. Wake has a lot of voters and can carry an election if Charlotte is in step. If you look at the voter map Obama won because of Wake and Charlotte Meck, the rest of the state was red but did not have the numbers. Charlotte is obviously pro-McCrory, so when Wake's republicans come out in force to support ALL their candidates and we have all our council of state with an R next to their name, we can thank Kevin, Keith, Jim, Susan and Christine. Maybe if Tony sticks around and John wins there will be a role for Tony at the state level, which would be excellent for NC.
Good thinking.
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 08:18 — raleighlauraSo the immediate take away is to do all I can to support Tedesco's state run. Got it?
Get over it.....superintendents come and go
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 19:14 — exYank_WCprinas do popular principals, teachers, etc. WCPSS will survive. Tata knew or should have known what he was getting into with a split board. Hey he made a cool 200K so I guess he laughing all the way to the bank. Superintendents who work their way through the system are usually savey enough to know when they don't have the votes they find another school system and resign. Usually there is some sign...a negative vote on a educational initiative, some disagreement with 1-2 board members...they realize it's time to move on because the politics of the board is against them. Check all the reasons superintendents have left since the systems have merged 40 years ago...it ain't rocket science. The average tenure for supers is 3-5 years. Year one they establish loftly goals, years 2-3 they work toward them, years 4-5 it is obvious they aren't going to make it and they bail......They are politicians otherwise they would not have become superintendents.
And you happly show your ignorance
Thu, 09/27/2012 - 08:48 — Voice_of_Reason_Most career military men don't pray to the almighty dollar. The reason he took this job is because it was an opportunity to do good for society. I am speaking from experience. He can live comfortably on just his retirement, that money is gravy. Wake County has lost a gem and our school system will suffer for it. Those that claim to be "Progressive" don't know what the word means. I also don't think BGen Tata has aspirations that are political in nature. That said, he did an outstanding job quieting down the bellicose civil rights rebel rousers that were bent on destroying the very fabric of civil political discourse. Very few others could. The last board lost because they allowed thuggery to win.
Our military runs the largest educational establishment in the world and we have to deal with what the civilian education establishment hands to us. The Army especially has challenges since the education standards for entry are lower. Imagine all the extremely high tech training required from those that barely or didn't make it through school that is done. It's not a "here is your gun, follow orders and climb that hill" military anymore.
Hmmm........
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 20:24 — Dove314Not sure how your "get over it" now is any different from those of Woodstock or Shearer or CC or others in 2009 and early 2010. Just telling you, even I am reconsidering the wisdom of voting for additional funding for this bunch of #*$&%$@$$s and I voted for one of them.
So...
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 08:21 — exYank_WCprinI guess we will need revisit split sessions/YR schools again in a few years. I believe I have seen this movie before if fact several times since the 80's.
You appear to have the same committment to WCPSS as the Reps. Are you runing for political office too?
LOL
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 10:54 — Dove314Thanks for that laugh. I remember when Jenman asked me a similar question "from the other side of the divide". As I said then, I would not run for public office for all of Warren Buffett's money or any form of "power". Just the very act of becoming a public official seems to corrupt integrity and cause a precipitous decline in common sense, intelligence, and tolerance. I value my integrity far too much to ever consider running for office and need to keep what common sense, intelligence, and tolerance I have. No thanks for perpetuating the "if you're not with us, you're against" BS just as your predecessors did.
Very funny, both of you
Thu, 09/27/2012 - 08:56 — Voice_of_Reason_The ex-pricipal calling a far-left poster "republican like" and that poster calling a fellow democratic "on the other side of the line." Jenman just doesn't buy into the company line on education. Too bad you don't value your judgement as much as your integrity.
That said, maybe there is hope since you saw the error in your ways.
Thanks but no thanks.
Thu, 09/27/2012 - 11:34 — Dove314Your version of far left is "not farther right than Paul Ryan" so forgive me if I don't take offense at your attempted insult. And my judgement is fine, despite it not always matching yours, thanks. And, as with Woodstock, you and I will likely rarely ever agree, so, if I were you, I wouldn't expend too much of your hope on me. But where we do agree is that Jenman is a thoughtful and intelligent poster and mother who cares more about all of the kids in WCPSS than all of the other members of the BoE combined.
Don't believe I ever said
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 22:04 — shearertwDon't believe I ever said get over it. I do recall saying that the system would be just fine if not better with the Repubs in control (as many suggested it was the end of WCPSS) and I was right...it was better.
Don't believe I ever said
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 22:04 — shearertwDon't believe I ever said get over it. I do recall saying that the system would be just fine if not better with the Repubs in control (as many suggested it was the end of WCPSS) and I was right...it was better.
Dang, Dove. I thought I may
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 21:48 — jenmanDang, Dove. I thought I may have won you over. ;)
Alas
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 23:03 — Dove314Alas, you were not an option in the run off. Am actually rather glad you are not at that table as you seem much too sane for the WCPSS BoE.
If she were at the table, Tata would still be here
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 23:21 — nmoskalIf she were at the table, Tata would still be here
Amen
Thu, 09/27/2012 - 09:00 — Voice_of_Reason_Jenman gets it and actually is concerned about our educational system...not politics. The Republican party should of not pushed a token to run against Hill in our district or the outcome might of been different.
End of WCPSS?
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 18:28 — Eric_BPrediction: I think this may be the beginning of the end of WCPSS as we know it. After the election Republicans may control all levels of state government with the way polls are looking now. There is sure to be blowback caused by the hyperpartisanship of the board majority by sacking the superintendent. I'd bet there will be an effort to break up WCPSS into smaller school districts now that once such a law has a chance of passing the General Assembly and being signed by the governor. This is to say nothing of a bond issue. This move definitely weakens the prospects of a construction bond passing.
These folks think they can come up with a new assignment plan in 2 months when they repeatedly criticized others for taking 18 months to develop the choice plan? Amazing.
I wish that we're possible
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 22:20 — shearertwI wish that we're possible but I still think it won't happen.
I'm thinking I may have a better idea. I honestly believe that the current BOE has just damage WCPSS for at least the next 10 years. For one, I'm frankly sick of of being a victim in this school system. I tend to think many of you out there, Rep and Dem or whatever, are too. I suggest we simply decide to be done with WCPSS. Many of us have been involved with or started groups here before that have made a difference. Many of us know we can work with each other, we can work with and respect parents of WC. I suggest we (those who are serious about no longer playing the victim and serious about working together) meet up and formulate a plan to start 10 new charter schools in WC by the beginning of the 2014 school year. It is nearly certain that the charter school cap will not come back for the foreseeable future so the opportunity is there for us to take.
Truthfully, I have only thought about this for about 2 hrs. I'm certainly tired of sitting around sulking over WCPSS politics and just suggest anyone else out there ready to do something about it just let me know. No politics allowed....just a good educational future for our children.
No Politics???
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 08:16 — exYank_WCprinDo you want the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy too........What about world peace? "victim of the school system" Come on, aren't we being a bit dramatic here.
Maybe... However, when it
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 09:42 — shearertwMaybe...
However, when it comes to parents and their children's education, I don't find a lot of politics at the ground level. I believe a set of parents with D's and R's by their names could indeed work together to build a strong charter school system in WC.
With Obama as president, I'm fairly certain "world peace" is out of the question.
Many of us, however, are somewhat trapped by the the monopoly of WCPSS. There currently are not enough charters to meet demand and they are not well distributed across the county. If you have more than 1 child, private school is difficult to pay for for most middle class parents. The state forces me to pay income taxes which mostly goest to fund the schools. Clearly, this BOE does not respect parents and is hell bent on sticking with their own idealogy rather worrying about what is best for WC's children. They just killed the bond. They just fired one of the best sups we've had in decades without cause. The just wasted $250K plus whatever it takes to find a new sup all because of their rigid idealogy. So...yes, in WC, we are all "victims of the school system". There is a way out, however, the sane ones will just have to find a way to work together outside of WCPSS.
A LOT of parents and
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 10:17 — woodstockA LOT of parents and community stakeholders with Ds and Rs next to their names supported and still support Tata. He was one of the the primary uniting influences in Wake County. Now we are left with a situation where there is dramatically more divisiveness and rancor than even before the 2009 elections when the public revolted.
The firing of Tata is just so enormously wrong-minded, partisan and in-your-face that I can't imagine the public is not going to stand for it. It's gonna get ugly... make that uglier.
I wish that we're possible
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 22:22 — shearertwDuplicate
Great post. Nothing good
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 21:32 — jenmanGreat post. Nothing good will come out of this.
" effort to break up WCPSS
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 20:57 — AngelaW" effort to break up WCPSS into smaller school districts now that once such a law has a chance of passing the General Assembly and being signed by the governor"
one can only hope at this point, because that is about the only hope left for this county.
weakens the bonds' passing? such an understatement. This has blown up any chance of it. no more cries of "it's for the children" will fool many people any more. If nothing else, this blatant show of partisan nonesense will open even more eyes.
I've always said, always, politics should play NO part in education. It's been wrong in the county for a long time and never more so than now. And in the end, only the children, families and education are the ones hurt by this crap.
disgusting.
YEP....
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 20:48 — JanisTangoI was at a PTA function tonight and the concensus of all parents DEMOCRAT and REPUBLICAN was Tony Tata was fired for nothing but political reasons. Everyone was disgusted by what happened today. I don't care what Jim Martin said...politics was the only reason the best superintendent we ever had was fired. It's time to break up WCPSS and this time I think there might be a real possibility of it happening.
now is the time to speak up!
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 23:24 — louiselee44I hope the people you heard tonight will voice their disgust. That's a lot of the problem - people complain to each other, but don't stand up to this nonsense. The school board members, county commissioners, and even Wake County legislators need to hear from all who think this is underhanded!!
Hard to speak up when Chair
Thu, 09/27/2012 - 07:24 — DrActualFactualGood advice Louise, but it is difficult to speak up to BOE members when Chair Hill refuses to allow public comment and refuses to gavel down GSIW people. Seems he only allows freedom of speech from one side of the aisle or from his donors only.
Kevin needs to be up bright and early
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 23:41 — FSandYOUgiving interviews and telling the public exactly why Mr. Tata was fired.
The blow back is already monumental. If they took a Poll right now 97% of everyone who is aware this took place today is PO'd and doesn't believe a word from Jim Martin or Susan Evans. Paul Coble, like him or not, is fuming and you heard it there, WHY would they even consider recommending a tax increase to hand over more money to a group with NO leadership and NO plan. Tomorrow the blow back will escalate and the resentment will grow. Parents aren't interested in your politics board majority and they will demand answers!
If Kevin doesn't have the leadership skills to handle the interviews, and handle this job, then he can STEP DOWN. Hand it over to Martin and Evans. The public would love to hear those two tell us why they did what they did.
The truth this time!!!
Kevin...
Wed, 09/26/2012 - 08:19 — JanisTangoprobably won't be making the rounds....He is at home trying to figure out the composite grade for Tony Tata's performance. It was a A- last year when he was trying to get elected. He also putting together his personal ad in regards to what he wants in the next Superintendent to be. It will probably be along the lines of...I'm looking for someone that has a D in his first name and a B in his last name and it sounds like Churns.
Well this is just a classic
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 23:57 — DrActualFactualWell this is just a classic dump and run Democrat majority for you. Scheme, oops, I mean decide stuff on the weekend, pretend you give 48 hours on some important issue (even though you don't announce Who/What it is being discussed behind closed doors in closed session) then announce it without allowing public comment when the next day is a Holiday and school is out. Why would the public think you are hiding something, less than transparent, don't want input? Gosh, perception is a funny thing. I hope the AdvancEd review of the majority board members handling on the Tata issue is brutal.
I was in my car driving out
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 21:46 — jenmanI was in my car driving out of town with a neighbor and her kids so I didn't get to watch the meeting but my husband gave me the low down. This was absolutely a partisan vote and I can't believe Martin things it was remotely anything else. I'm not sure I have the stomach to watch the meeting yet.
i agree....want to watch the
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 23:11 — neverindoubti agree....want to watch the meeting but also want to sleep tonight. pathetic.
Bad policy and even worse politics
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 18:28 — morah_lI thought I had seen the most bone-headed, ill-conceived political move ever when the prior dem-lead board pushed through mandatory year round schools and *then* decided that even if schools are less than 40% F&R they could do "better" by reassigning a bunch of kids in Cary to schools in Apex, thereby infuriating a huge percentage of the county that was set to vote for school board seats in the next election. But I was wrong. Firing the superitendent, transfering 250K out of the rainy-day fund to buy out his contract, and then asking the public to support a multi-million dollar bond is even more bone-headed. I am a democrat who actually liked the choice plan and supports Tata, so I think this is bad policy. But regardless, it is absolutely idiotic politics.