It looks like Wake County school board member Susan Evans is ready to jump in with ideas she wants the staff to explore under the student assignment directive.
In a Wednesday morning email to staff that was copied to board chairman Kevin Hill, Evans said she wanted to "float some ideas" about next steps in the assignment process. Evans wrote that Hill suggested she initiate the meeting with staff because the board won't be meeting for a month.
"I realize that you will need some time to determine what staff members will be charged with this task, etc., so I am not asking for this discussion to take place immediately, but would appreciate an the opportunity to brainstorm with those involved before we get too far into the process," Evans writes.
Chief Transformation Officer Judy Peppler copied the whole school board in her Wednesday night reply to Evans that staff is still determining who will be involved in carrying out the directive. Peppler told board members in the meantime to send their thoughts via email.
Here's the email Evans sent Wednesday morning:
To: Anthony Tata/Superintendent/WCPSS@STAFF, Judith Peppler/Transformation/WCPSS@STAFF, Laura Evans/StudentAssignment/WCPSS@Staff
From: Susan Evans/Superintendent/WCPSS
Date: 06/20/2012 10:54AM
Cc: Kevin Hill/Superintendent/WCPSS@STAFF
Subject: Next Steps
Tony, Judy and Laura,
Well it was a very long night and I definitely appreciate all of the staff that had to stay at the Board's meetings until the wee hours of the morning!
I have spoken with Kevin Hill this morning regarding my desire to share some ideas for consideration when contemplating the revised assignment rules. To be clear, I am not intending to give demands, but would like to sit down with Laura Evans, or whoever will be tasked with the responsibility for the upcoming revisions, to float some ideas for feasibility consideration. Kevin indicated that he would be talking with the staff soon about benchamrks and timelines for status and feedback opportunities with the Board, and I antipicate that we might discuss some of that at our next work session. But in light of the fact that we will not meet as a Board for another month, Kevin suggested that I contact you to initiate setting up a time for me to come in and discuss my ideas. I realize that you will need some time to determine what staff members will be charged with this task, etc., so I am not asking for this discussion to take place immediately, but would appreciate an the opportunity to brainstorm with those involved before we get too far into the process.
Respectfully,
Susan P. Evans
Wake County Board of Education
District 8
(Apex/Holly Springs/SE Cary/W Cary/ N Fuquay-Varina)
Here's the response from Peppler:
To: Susan Evans/Superintendent/WCPSS@Staff
From: Judith Peppler/Transformation/WCPSS
Date: 06/20/2012 09:33PM
Cc: Anthony Tata/Superintendent/WCPSS@STAFF, Kevin Hill/Superintendent/WCPSS@STAFF, Laura Evans/StudentAssignment/WCPSS@Staff, BoardMembers@STAFF
Subject: Re: Next Steps
Susan,
We are meeting internally on next steps and determining who will be involved in this latest directive and will be in touch with the board after we have a plan for moving forward. In the meantime, if you would like to send your thoughts via email so we have them going in that would be great.
Thanks,
Judy Peppler
Chief of Transformation and Staff
Wake County Public School System
5625 Dillard Drive, Crossroads 1
Cary, NC 27518
919-431-7709
(I'm off until Tuesday. I've written posts to cover that time period.)
Comments
Beware bloggers- Deborah Prickett may quote you at a BOE Meeting
Sat, 06/23/2012 - 16:17 — PeacePopShe doesn't understand enough about anything on her own so she has to quote what "bloggers" wrote about the Choice Plan while trying to defend it last week. Famous words that did come from her mouth once when trying to understand why some students ended up assigned to a school without transportation - "Did those students assign themselves?" No Deborah - the Choice Plan did. Do you even know how it works? What an embarrassment to her district - and the whole county. When can we vote her out?
Let's hope she does quote bloggers
Sun, 06/24/2012 - 10:24 — FSandYOUbecause they darn sure have it more correct than the Martin/Evans/Kush, with sidekick and Mr. Do Nothing Hill, 3 Stooges show.
Maybe when you're paying attention for more than 6 or 7 weeks you'll figure that out.
Go back to worrying about what is good for realtors and the ITB crowd and the bloggers will keep the facts and reality straight.
Bada BING!
Here are the kinds of things
Sun, 06/24/2012 - 10:35 — woodstockHere are the kinds of things Hill -- apparently a card-carrying socialist -- quotes and admits to agreeing to:
'Parent choice' proceeds from the belief that the purpose of education is to provide individual students with an education. In fact, educating the individual is but a means to the true end of education, which is to create a viable social order to which individuals contribute and by which they are sustained. 'Family choice' is, therefore, basically selfish and anti-social in that it focuses on the 'wants' of a single family rather than the 'needs' of society."
Link to Blog: http://bit.ly/LSGdOu
Wow, LOL! Evans has
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 09:46 — woodstockWow, LOL! Evans has absolutely no clue what her role is on the board. She apparently does not realize that she is one member of a 9-member board; THE BOARD can direct the Superintendent and enact policy, but it ends there. She is not the ruler of school staff as she and Martin so ignorantly assume.
I am sure staff is just waiting with bated breath to hear what this incompetent has to say. Also, after seeing her action, I am sure the folks in her District regret the day they ever voted for that woman... or are in denial that they ever did.
I will admit, I sometimes find it good entertainment... when I can forget for a moment that she is intimately involved in structuring our school system and influencing our children's education.
...
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 10:16 — Sideburnshttp://my-3-minutes.blogspot.com/2012/06/were-you-even-awake.html
Trying to drive....
Mon, 06/25/2012 - 12:06 — bpuli9999traffic to you blog? Not getting enough readers?
Driving readers to their
Tue, 06/26/2012 - 07:23 — woodstockDriving readers to their blogs is what bloggers do. Why would that be something to criticize? There isn't a blogger, publication or media outlet that does not do that.
more readers than you would
Tue, 06/26/2012 - 06:59 — starsonoursmore readers than you would ever have!!
I love to read and
Tue, 06/26/2012 - 12:59 — DrActualFactualI love to read and gather different viewpoints and perspectives--I don't view her mention of another post any worse than the GSIW/WakeUP Wake County posts to go read their info--at least Sideburns doesn't charge you for what she reads or encourage you to join an organization that requires a membership fee (like WakeUp Wake County/GSIW does).
Idea Sharring is not Administrative Details
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 09:37 — Apexcitizen1Give it a break!....So did you have the same concern when Tedesco was developing his plan? All the board members are involved in the adminstrative details of the plan with their pet assignment changes.
Susan is approching the matter correctly.
totally disagree...did we
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 22:00 — spiffy1totally disagree...did we have a vote on it in the wee hours of the morning before the public had a chance to learn about what was going to happen? did we have them vote to refuse to allow parents to find out by voting against waiting until August to allow parents to learn about it?
this has been rushed and SE and her WakeUp/GSIW pals have been working on this for a LONG time...there's a BIG difference.
with JT...it went to policy committee FIRST and I, believe, student achievement committee and THEN voted on by the board...however, when that was suggested...that was shot down.
Problem here is that SE and her 4 dems on the board flat out know that the longer this is out there, the more issues the public will have and they must act fast.
I can only assume SE still has her copy of the press release from WakeUp/GSIW with all their requirements and mandates ready.....
Much ado about nothing. You
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 22:43 — bouncing_rockMuch ado about nothing. You have been given adequate notice that the BOE intends to revise the assignment plan. Act on it.
Similar process as before.
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 21:44 — bouncing_rockSimilar process as before. Just that we have a different set of unhappy people.
So Alves is a moron who
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 10:13 — shearertwSo Alves is a moron who designed a complete failure of an assignment model for WCPSS but Susan "little Jim" Evans is going to ride in and save the day with a dancing and singing, Barbar inspired leftest assignment plan that will work? What are you smoking over there in Apex? How could this obviously deranged woman have any chance of remotely containing the experience or knowledge to develop an assignment plan for WCPSS?
BOE sets goals and priorities for the plan, staff develops the plan with the help of experts if necessary and the BOE approves the plan or not...
BYW....I love Peppler's response. Let me translate it for you. "Please do not bore me with your nonsense and waste our time with some wacko meeting. Just send me your thoughts in an email and we'll call you if we have any further questions."
"BOE sets goals and
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 18:49 — danofnc"BOE sets goals and priorities for the plan, staff develops the plan with the help of experts if necessary and the BOE approves the plan or not..."
I don't remember you laying down these rules when JT was developing his plan.
That's my biggest problem with some people. All the hand-wringing over "the process", and "making things political" and all of that is ridiculous, considering this is pretty much the exact tactices used by the previous board, except that I think the fact that the item was actually added to the agenda before the meeting may give the new board one leg up.
All the same counter-arguments apply: "This is what they were elected to do." "The people have spoken." With very few exceptions, the arguments you guys are making against changing the plan are the exact same ones you ridiculed a couple of years ago.
I don't really like that they are digging into the assignment issue so quickly after the last overhaul, but until they start fleshing out details I'm willing to take a wait-and-see approach....which is pretty much exactly what I did last time. I have my own ideas, but I don't think that my way is the only way by any stretch. I thought it was ridiculous to have an assignment plan without base schools, and I still do.
totally agree
Sat, 06/23/2012 - 10:05 — EBDarcyThe GOP majority under Ron set the bar very low.
Yes they did. Right after
Sat, 06/23/2012 - 10:06 — starsonoursYes they did. Right after they picked it up from the floor where the prior boards had set it.
All the while...
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 10:59 — bpuli9999looking for a job! Tata seems to inspire loyalty amongst his staffers - even the one he himself hired.
Come on, you know that's how
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 11:57 — jenmanCome on, you know that's how it works in the upper admin levels. They are all climbing the career ladder--principals, admin, and some teachers. That's just how it is now. Not like when we were kids (and probably living in much smaller towns/school districts) where you had the same principal and super/admin staff forever.
Agreed but think of the
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 21:47 — bouncing_rockAgreed but think of the timing. A large district goes through a major transformation led by a newbie Supdt. While a key senior staff member is looking to bail. Speaks to commitment.
You have no idea...
Mon, 06/25/2012 - 09:26 — woodstockYou have no idea what you are talking about. None.
Looking to bail? Sounds to
Mon, 06/25/2012 - 08:28 — shearertwLooking to bail? Sounds to me like she's accepting a great advancement opportunity for her career. That only speaks well of her time here under Tata. I'm happy when people that work for me obtain greater opportunities...that speaks well of the training and experience they learned while working for me. Rising stars often have to move out because there's only so many spots at the top. Hate to see her go, but truthfully.....it sounds like her knowledge and skill will be better utilized elsewhere than staying here and being stonewalled by a bunch of jack___es on this new BOE. Who would want to stay here and have to meet with and try and serously listen to Susan Evan's "ideas" without laughing in her face? I couldn't do it.
she is a graduate of the Broad
Sat, 06/23/2012 - 16:47 — snordoneand was trained to be a superintendent of an urban district. That is the purpose of their program and an expectation - that their graduates will lead urban districts. She is impressive, she understands our data well and she was taught how to use it to improve the education of low income students. if you looked at all she and Tony have done it really has been to improve the education of low income kids. Unfortunately a lot of their time has been spent trying to expose our problems and convince people that we really are not doing so well. We are so deeply entrenched in this ideology of demographic balancing that we 'forgot' to look at academic achievement for 10 years.
She will do well, but I will be very sorry to see her go. The thing is, it can't get any worse than Wake county and my guess is that other counties would love to actually educate low income children rather than figure out how to hide them.
I don't know. I could see
Sat, 06/23/2012 - 10:56 — jenmanI don't know. I could see that if Peppler had been hired from within. There very well could be (actually I'm sure there are) people who have been at WCPSS for a while who want to bail because they don't like the direction or don't like Tata. But Peppler was also trained at Broad and the purpose of that training is to ultimately be a super, right?
It would be nice if Peppler stayed but coming from the outside she doesn't have an emotional investment in the community as a long time Wake resident might. It's disappointing that she may be leaving so soon but I don't see it as an indictment of Tata. Of course, both of our opinions will be formed by own biases. If I hated Tata and you liked him, we'd probably be making each other's arguments. :D
Perhaps a one-year school
Sat, 06/23/2012 - 11:50 — DrActualFactualPerhaps a one-year school cycle is the customary length of service timeframe the Broad Fdn. expects out of their interns/staff--we are not privy to that info. Perhaps they encourage their participants to take placements when they arise.
As I understand it, the
Mon, 06/25/2012 - 08:59 — woodstockAs I understand it, the goal of a Broad graduate is to run school systems. That Peppler may reach that goal sooner rather than later is just a reflection of her outstanding abilities and the qualities others see in her.
This only dissappointing
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 11:25 — shearertwThis only dissappointing part is that Peppler's didn't begin her email as follows:
Jim...I mean Susan,
...
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 10:09 — SideburnsIf I recall correctly, Tedesco had a committee -- consisting of a variety of parents and staff. He didn't have secret, behind-the-scenes discussions to float his ideas. He was transparent and forthright.
Discussions should be held publicly as a Board or a committee. Why does Evans have to discuss things privately? Unless what she believes doesn't mesh with what she promised or what parents of her district want.
But think of the wondrously
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 21:49 — bouncing_rockBut think of the wondrously ecstatic time some can have by making a public records request.
That's funny....
Mon, 06/25/2012 - 08:01 — bpuli9999any which way you at it. Especially if you can't get over an election loss. After eight months!
wrong
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 13:57 — stepbystepWhile Mr. Tedesco liked to say he was being transparent and making decisions with his committee, he did no such thing. He completely controlled (behind the scenes) what happened and the meetings were merely a platform for him to blab on and on and on about teamwork and going from good to great and being transparent. He was fond of saying "there is no plan; the comittee will make the plan together." Behind the scenes, however, he met with several stakeholders to work on the non-plan and made changes to staff work that was never discussed publicly. You might remember that he met with Ms. Goldman at her kitchen table to find out which nodes she wanted where to get her vote on the non-plan, for example. So, no, Mr. Tedesco was neither transparent nor forthright when he was running the train wreck that thankfully got stopped.
Sounds Like Dulaney...
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 14:03 — JanisTangohe use to keep assignment data on his PC and moved things around without anybody having any idea what he was doing!
staff versus board
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 22:08 — SatchHHI thought the argument was that board members shouldn't be so in the weeds, but now you're defending John T. making his assignment plan - the front face of the whole plan by the way (though I'm sure his strings were being pulled by others) -by comparing him to Dulaney, who was a WCPSS staff. It was Dulaney's job! And I'm sure his staff knew exactly what was going on, even if he could have been more transparent to the public. J.T. was completly out of line with what the board is supposed to do. There is no board member even close now.
Huh!
Sat, 06/23/2012 - 16:02 — JanisTangoI don't know where you are getting JT from, but whatever. Actually Dulaney's staff was in the dark about much of what he was doing. When we asked Laura Evans questions her answer was 'I wasn't aware of that'. She even commented once that she was just as much in the dark as we were!
And Alves used what? And who
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 21:50 — bouncing_rockAnd Alves used what? And who has an idea about what exactly the program does?
Yeah, but that doesn't matter
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 18:41 — FSandYOUthey seem to conveniently forget all those things. The Ron/Jon haters you know.
Their roids flare up on a daily basis.
Beg your pardon
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 12:44 — Apexcitizen1But they were getting down to the administrative detail as you say. If he's a board member he should not have been at those meeting based on what your arguing now. He wasn't directing policy his committee was drawing the lines. Plus how soon you forget about the secret cake baking meeting where Ron showed up at Debra's house.
...
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 12:55 — Sideburns"They" were a committee. It is proper to gather input from a committee.
So you think it is a good
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 09:52 — woodstockSo you think it is a good idea for each board member to meeting with staff individually and provide their input?! What is staff supposed to do with that? Their jobs are difficult enough without having 9 individuals giving their personal take on what should happen. It is idiotic to think that is in any way an effective and productive process. Besides, staff takes direction from Tata, not board members and certainly not individual board members.
Seems like her input would
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 10:06 — jenmanSeems like her input would be given during the meetings of the assignment committee that was supposed to have been formed to monitor and make change recommendations to the plan.
Agree....
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 10:10 — JanisTangoI think the next step that makes the most sense with this 'directive' is for the board members each to write down their expectations in regards to the directive, what changes they would like to see and what issues they are hearing from the FAMILIES they represent. The staff should have a chance to go behind close doors and digest the information and come up with ideas that support the board wishes. The staff should also be allow to point out the pros and cons of each idea.
...
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 09:12 — SideburnsShe's a real piece of work. I've never seen so many I's, my's and me's in one email.
http://www.wcpss.net/policy-files/series/policies/1000-bp.html
The Board shall concern itself primarily with broad questions of policy rather than with administrative details.
you must not pay much attention
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 22:17 — SatchHHto anything DG says. Have you seen meetings lately? Talk about a piece of work. You have some double-standard. I guesss since Susan E. beat your guy Ron Marg, it is now your goal to tear her down at every opportunity. If I recall you were Ron's campaign chair. I personally find it weird that these emails are on the blog. I know it's all available to the public, but it's a bit intrusive KH and creating hype where there really isn't much. It's like everyone going bonkers over the directive when it really is no smoking gun at all if you actually read it. Given the mess of this past spring, it's a basic no-brainer.
That is her....
Mon, 06/25/2012 - 08:44 — bpuli9999goal in life these days - it appears from her blog postings, media quotes, posts on this forum etc.
Curious to see how long it
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 22:40 — bouncing_rockCurious to see how long it takes for the bitterness to dissipate.