The Wake Education Partnership is asking if a middle ground can still be found in the debate over how to assign students in Wake County's schools.
In last week's issue of In Context, the WEP's electronic newsletter, the group comments on the heated nature of the last school board meeting. The WEP noted the angry words used by school board members and the public over the community-based schools resolution.
"Critics and supporters of the board arrived early and spilled into the hallways carrying placards and passing out stickers," the WEP writes. "In public comment sessions lasting more than three hours, they resorted to calling each other racists and apologists. A few isolated calls for compromise drew only tepid support."
The WEP brings up the thorny issue of what will be done with the magnet schools under the new zones, including how several school PTAs have passed resolutions in support of the current assignment policy.
The WEP also includes the text of the statement read by school board vice chairwoman Debra Goldman before the vote. Some speakers were extremely critical of her for having co-written the resolution after having said a week earlier that more research was needed before she could approve changes to the student assignment resolution.
The WEP noted how the Rev. William Barber, president of the state NAACP, called opponents together for an impromptu rally following the board vote.
"Under the glare of TV lights, they chanted and sang in solidarity. Barber threatened court action," the WEP writes. "And at that moment, the middle ground in this debate seemed like a faraway place.
(I meant to blog about this last week but things got a bit hectic.)
Comments
We've really flipped from
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 17:20 — jenmanWe've really flipped from demonstrating our best with the golden rule of "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" to a petty and vengeful "do unto others as they've done unto you".
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You're right. We've got to stop (myself included).
I applaud your latest
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 17:52 — Dove314I applaud your latest announcement. I'll make every effort to participate
Thanks Dove. I do hope to
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 18:13 — jenmanThanks Dove. I do hope to meet you sometime.
I'm a small part of WSCA, but I'll accept your compliment! :-)
If WEP was truly interested
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 13:33 — jenmanIf WEP was truly interested in finding middle ground, they wouldn't produce such blatantly biased newsletters.
Making an effort
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 14:31 — Dove314Still learning all the acronyms and orgs but I'm not about to turn down any group that makes any effort at stopping the polarization and attempts to bring the various positions together.
This is certainly a darn site better than another press release calling names, issuing threats, or raising tensions.
At this point, any org that makes an effort deserves applause.
I'm jaded after years of
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 15:29 — jenmanI'm jaded after years of being involved in this fight. You're right that at least they aren't calling names, etc.
I reserve the right to remain jaded.
At a time point like this,
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 16:54 — Dove314At a time point like this, it just seems so foolish of us all. If people don't find a way to get over themselves and their personal baggage and fingerpointing, it really is rather hopelessly doomed to end up in the courts. Everyone seems to prefer to hold on to their past perceptions and bitterness.
We've really flipped from demonstrating our best with the golden rule of "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" to a petty and vengeful "do unto others as they've done unto you".
"If people don't find a way
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 20:11 — Apexter"If people don't find a way to get over themselves and their personal
baggage and fingerpointing, it really is rather hopelessly doomed to
end up in the courts."
Courts? Been there, done that.
I think quite a few would be open to honest compromise. However, when the people with whom you're supposed to compromise come out of the gates screaming "Racist! Segregationist! You'll destroy everything!" and use rhetoric like "They're going to GUT Enloe" at the mere suggestion that magnet programs be spread throughout the county, it's a bit difficult to expect that there is really a genuine interest in compromise. "Compromise" does not mean "Just let us keep everything we like just the way we like it."
What's WEP's definition of
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 13:23 — red_balloonWhat's WEP's definition of middle ground... "Education First" for 70K students and "Economy First" for the other 70K students?
True middle ground can be a possible solution
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 13:03 — IWonderHow is it possible to allow "choice" for where to attend school and how without added expense? Yes, in some districts there is an overwhelming amount of this or that economic groups. It is clear cut some parents don't want their lives adjusted by the current diversity policy and past. And, some others don't care, nor can't. The "tepid support" mentioned in Hui's article I take to mean this is a very valid question and no one has a good answer and solution.
The school board should be
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 12:53 — StarLETThe school board should be representing the views of all families. You all act as if the only view the board should consider is yours. When the shoe was on the other foot, you all criticized the board for not being responsive. Are you saying that the board should only be responsive when they represent your point of view?
I'm All For Middle Ground....
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 13:02 — JanisTangoI'm all for middle ground....at this point though I have yet to hear suggestions from the 'status quo' supporters on what should be done in regards to the problems WCPSS faces.
Tedesco has asked for people on the 'other side' to join these committees and be apart of the solution. Many have turned him down. If that is the case then I would say they are the ones that refuse to compromise!
who has turned him down?
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 13:49 — carson79who has turned him down? (you said many)
Tedesco states he spoke to
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 13:55 — red_balloonTedesco states he spoke to both Gatewood and Barber right after the last BOE meeting and offered to meet with them. Apparently, both declined. With the Jealous press release, I can see why they were not too enthusiastic about dialog and discussions.
Are you sure he asked
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 14:09 — carson79Are you sure he asked Gatewood? I thought of him as new to the debate, but could be wrong.
Also, I don't consider this "many"
I don't consider it "many"
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 14:32 — red_balloonI don't consider it "many" but nor do I engage in keeping track of Tedesco's efforts. That is all the information I have at present and if I chance to read anything else that might be pertinent, and if I recall this exchange and have the inclination, rest assured that I will offer up that information to you. I do find it interesting though that you delve upon the "many". Is Gatewood representing himself? Or others too? Likewise, how about Barber? Does his denial amount to similar rejection by those who he represents? Or is it that he doesn't represent or speak for "many"?
She said "Many" had been
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 15:13 — carson79She said "Many" had been asked - I wasn't aware of any outreach efforts by Tedesco other than his asking Barber.
You replied, I figured you knew since you replied for her, that's all that happened here, no need to get upset.
I cited the two instances I
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 19:55 — red_balloonI cited the two instances I know to indicate that Tedesco is facing resistance, not to convey the extent of resistance. It's an FYI while you await the names comprising of the "many". Don't worry about me being upset or imagining I am upset.
so he did ask
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 20:08 — carson79so he did ask Gatewood?
I thought this guy was new to the debate, why would John ask someone like him to join with him?? This shows John's bad judgment if you're right!
John said he introduced
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 21:03 — jenmanJohn said he introduced himself to Gatewood, gave him his number and offered to meet with him to talk about the issues. He didn't ask him to join a committee or some larger cause. Just offered to have a conversation with him. It was a nice, productive gesture.
one would think so
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 21:43 — red_balloonNice, productive gesture
Look what Tedesco gets for trying to work with the other side: "poor judgement".
I am surprised at this post.
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 20:58 — red_balloonI am surprised at this post. The 2nd VP (?) of NAACP and he counts for nothing in a debate about AA children (and nothing about education, unfortunately)? Interesting. Anyways, Tedesco is reported to have reached out to Gatewood after Gatewood's outburst. That demonstrates mature, collaborative leadership. Tedesco did the same with Barber but I guess the reverend was too busy salivating at the thought of hitting the airwaves about the great injustice happening in NC.
I believe that JT asked
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 14:07 — jenmanI believe that JT asked Barber to be part of his Student Achievement Task Force and was turned down.
If you watch the first
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 19:24 — shank56If you watch the first WRAL online part of the last COW meeting (March 2), Kevin Hill asks a bunch of questions.
As I heard, one of those questions to Ron was why "they are not including citizens or parents on the Student Achievement Task Force ."
Wonder what the real story is?
Hasn't He Also Asked The CCCAAC
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 15:08 — JanisTangoHasn't he also asked for representatives from the CCCAAC to join and was turned down?
I think so.
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 15:22 — jenmanI think so.
Suggestion Below..Contact the Wake School Board
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 13:16 — ncsenate14HURLBURTLet them know about family fragmentation and the negative impact it has on child student outcomes.
The Middle Ground
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 12:24 — ncsenate14HURLBURTThe middle ground is ensuring that all children have equal access to both of their parents in fragmented families. This singlehandedly starts the process of reducing dropouts and increasing graduation rates. I have called out Rev. Barber, the Wake County School Board and the NCAE to recognize the significance.
The success of children in education has nothing to do with busing or neighborhood schools. It has everything to do with supporting teachers in struggling schools and bringing about positive change to a child's homelife. Education starts in the home. That is the middle ground we can all agree. How do we achieve that? Take the family court out of the family. We can do better.
“What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.”
www.ncsenate14.org Join the conversation on the message board for the NC Senate District 14 www.ncsenate14.org/board
Hmm...
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 12:09 — Bob_Sconce1. Denial: "The voters didn't really want this"
2. Anger: "They're all a bunch of racists"
3. Bargaining: "Let's see if we can get some middle ground"
Next up, Depression and Acceptance.
I wonder if that is what the
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 13:18 — user12345I wonder if that is what the Iranian leadership keeps thinking. Sometimes people stay and fight dictatorship.
glad you agree
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 13:25 — red_balloonSometimes
people stay and fight dictatorship.
Yes. Never be afraid to challenge the status quo.
Or what I think we are going to see
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 12:38 — Voice_of_Reason_W-A-R
I think the lawyers and private investigators are at the starting line. Goals for now, delay any progress and attempt to wear us down. Remember, this opposition is well funded.
W-A-R is a term that has no
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 12:56 — Dove314W-A-R is a term that has no bearing and should have no bearing in this discussion.
War should be understood as an actual, intentional and
widespread armed conflict between political
communities.
We're talking about the common good of children here. While we may all hold differing opinions and positions, we should be able to avoid armed conflict and pointed, pointless rhetoric and name calling verbal conflicts.
Everyone here should be able to articulate the merits of their own position. Each time any of us engage in it, we each make ourselves look petty and undercut the very arguments we post here to support or understand.
Sorry but there are all kinds of combat
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 13:13 — Voice_of_Reason_Not all are armed. Nor not all involve physical destruction. I am not advocating it, just predicting. I hope the pro-diversity alliance doesn't resort to that.
In fact, you may be part of a propaganda battle for all I know. If I make myself look petty, you should be happy. I thought I still had my free speech rights, did I miss something?
But, it really seems silly to me that that definition is what you thought I meant. If you read further, I talked about the "weapons" they would use. I didn't predict armed riots.
I'm sorry if I'm not politically correct enough for you. But I do not try to be.
BTW- Bob was pointing out a typical response.
You know, the previous board never tried to find a middle ground.
Words as weapons
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 13:34 — Dove314I'll leave this subdiscussion as is pointless.
I'll just leave you with this -- it does not make me happy to see you be petty, not by a long shot. It doesn't serve me in any way, shape or form.
I work now and will continue to work very hard to treat you with respect.
Not helpful
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 12:21 — Dove314Not helpful at all.
Well...
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 13:25 — Bob_SconceNot trying to be helpful or unhelpful. But, I suspect that you will see WEP and others on their side go through the other two phases. It's interesting that they weren't talking about a middle-ground this time last year.
Why is it interesting when
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 13:51 — carson79Why is it interesting when it exactly follows your analysis up there?