Most of the school board candidates have filed their final pre-election campaign reports.
It's too early to get a definitive read on the finance situation because reports aren't in yet from most of the opposition candidates or from the Wake Schools Community Alliance or Take Wake Schools Back.
But the filed reports, which must be postmarked by today, show the candidates most supportive of school board policies are getting their money.
In District 1, the report from Rita Rakestraw shows she has raised $22,839.54. A lot of her new donors are from the Washington D.C. area, including from liberal groups like the Center for Community Change, the Advancement Project and the Washington Office on Latin America.
One of Rakestraw's local donors is John Wilson, executive director of the National Education Association.
In District 2, the report for Horace Tart show he's raised $7,555, not including the $3,601.98 he carried over from his prior campaign. A big chunk of his warchest continues to come from PACs, including $2,000 from the N.C. Association of Educators.
Tart also got money from Capitol Broadcasting President Jim Goodmon. He owns several local media outlets, including WRAL. Goodmon also gave money to Karen Simon and Lois Nixon.
One interesting case of hedging your bets can be seen in how Rolly Bannister Jr., owner of Bannister Properties LLC, has now given money to Tart and Cathy Truitt. Bannister's daughter, Amy White, was Tart's predecessor on the school board and has backed Truit.
Also in District 2, the report from Cathy Truitt shows she raised $15,050.31. The donations show that she's continuing to get backing from Garner business leaders.
In District 7, the new reports show that Karen Simon has jumped ahead of Deborah Prickett for the campaign funding lead.
In the latest report from Simon, she has raised $6,274.71. She's gotten money from Goodmon, Wake County Commissioner Lindy Brown, former N.C. Attorney General Rufus Edmisten and former Wake County PTA Council President Virginia Parker,
Simon has also loaned herself $1,949.71.
In the latest report from Prickett, she has raised $2,255 so far. Her latest donors include state Rep. Marilyn Avila and the Northern Wake Republican Club.
In District 9, the report from Lois Nixon shows she's raised $17,642.16. Her donors include Goodmon, former Cary Town Councilwoman Marla Dorrel, former Cary Mayor Harold Ritter and a trio of retired Wake principals in David Coley, Diane Payne and Richard Murphy.
Nixon also got money from the PACs of Lindy Brown, the N.C. Association of Educators, Knightdale Mayor Russell Killen and former Cary Town Councilman Nels Roseland.
Click here, here and here for prior reports.
UPDATE
Rakestraw and Simon are missing their PAC contribution pages in their latest reports.
Comments
Perry--It is truly wonderful
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 12:27 — jenmanPerry--It is truly wonderful that our 'inner city' schools have flourished, but what about the rest of us? While we've been spending money on busing and programs to prop up the schools in central Raleigh we've let the schools elsewhere suffer. Particularly rim schools, Eastern Wake and Garner. We've let Chuck Dulaney bus low income kids 12, 15, 18 miles away to schools that have fewer academic opportunities than the already healthy ones that they are shipped out of. Raleigh as a whole is about 1/2 the pop of Wake County--that includes all of the outlying 'suburban' areas as well as the rim. So about 3/4 of the county is sacrificing for 1/4. Nice.
Rita and the other status-quo candidates keep saying that they know some things need to change, blah blah blah but it will NEVER happen if they are elected. It will be just like the Goodnights and FOWC who said, "oh, just pass the bond and then we'll work on getting the MYR issue straightened out. The bond passed and we have heard NOTHING from any of those people since. The exact same thing will happen with the status quo candidates--it would be business as usual.
WCPSS Growth and Planning Reads The Blogs
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 08:25 — JanisTangoI won't tell you my source, but rest assured Chuckie has people on his team who have a task each week to read this very blog. HELLO growth and planning...rest assured no matter the outcome of this election this weekend, the opposition group is not going away!
Festering wound
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 20:23 — SDR256Its just a way to find out whether we know all the damning information that they know. Believe me, we are well on our way to finding it, digging it out and revealing it - painful detail by painful detail. I was raised by an old country doctor who believed in practice and and in life that a festering wound cannot be healed until its lanced.
more evidence
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 08:40 — loriacunreal - just more evidence that Growth and Planning doesn't have enough to focus on, and admin costs need to be cut.
I thought you wanted
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 09:15 — user12345I thought you wanted WCPSS listening to people's concerns ... town meetings, calls, letters, blogs ... now they shouldn't?
Growth Management seems like an odd
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 15:15 — TrailerParkGirldepartment to be monitoring this blog for parent concerns.
Hmm...
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 14:03 — Bob_SconceNo. I know WCPSS listens to people's concerns. The board and administration have a very good understanding of what the concerns are. Nothing on this blog takes them by surprise.
The problem is that the district doesn't ACT on those concerns. They make a good show of listening, but when it comes time to formulate policy, those concerns are ignored -- the current school board is going to do exactly what the administration tells it to. And, the administration is motivated mainly by the approval of their peers in the education ivory tower and the positive press they get from the New York Times (among others). Unfortunately, those are two groups who have never much cared about the interests of families.
"The problem is that the
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 16:16 — user12345"The problem is that the district doesn't ACT on those concerns.”
Thought ... entities that listen but don't act seem to be ones where the lower levels have no authority... it may be that no one can act until everything is raised up the flag pole ... that is a management issue ... which can be fixed ... personally, Bob, I think WCPSS is just overwhelmed .. Too many kids, schools, rules, metrics, reports, etc. … Being at the end of anything “public” is very hard … I am guessing they are shell shocked from all the changes, requests, etc. that have consumed them for the last ten years ….
Uhh..
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 18:47 — Bob_SconceI find it hard to believe that the Wake County school board and the top levels of the administration are unaware of the distress they're causing to families. Heck, public accountability is why we elect school board members.
Whether it's general cluelessness, uncaring or what you term a "mamagement issue," the "fix" is the same -- change that management from the top.
Too little, too late.
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 10:22 — petehsPerhaps they should have been listening a bit more intently at those mock trials last Fall, and in years prior.
ok
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 09:30 — loriacGrowth and planning is supposed to implement the direction of the BOE. Unfortunately, Chuck and team seem to drive the BOE.
If anyone should be reading the blogs, it's the BOE reps.
So - what would a growth and planning person do with the info here? Nice of them to be aware, but unless they are driving policy, not much. (she said rhetorically)
Okay, I've been reluctant to
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 21:24 — woodstockOkay, I've been reluctant to mention is, but now it is getting out of hand. Prickett signs are missing all over District 7. I suppose this is intended to make up for the obvious lack of substance on Simon's part. It won't work.
More
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 21:42 — SDR256Three more Goldman signs I noticed missing today. Sets of WSCA candidate signs posted on the on&off ramps from Harrison - 40 lasted less than 24 hours. Tedesco signs witnessed being torn up on the side of the road. Now that was low.
It sucks, but it happens
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 21:41 — WhalerCaneIt sucks, but it happens every cycle no matter the race. Some think they are litter and steel them. For those who do for political gain, may Karma catch up with you, because it is Stupid.
There is a time lag between
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 20:59 — KeungHui (author)There is a time lag between when reports are filed and when they become available. The reports on the blog today were those that were available as of mid-afternoon. I'll pick up whatever was filed since then on Tuesday.
Erv Portman from Cary supporting Rakestraw?
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 20:57 — btwalshThat one got me! I went back & checked. I see Mrs. Portman's donation to Ms. Nixon, that is her personal choice. I did not see Erv Portman's donation listed on Rakestraw's campaign contribution report. Where did this info come from, an earlier filing or what? If he did, then I am extremely disappointed & won't vote for him during the next at-large election.
Erv Portman donated $250
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 21:09 — CaryCurmudgeonErv Portman donated $250 under his own name in the previous reporting cycle. Likewise, I am disappointed. All of the other Council members have stood up for parents, so this goes against the grain. Mr. Portman believes that the school board should be given taxing authority, something else I am not fond of.
In two years, Mr. Portman
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 21:50 — WhalerCaneIn two years, Mr. Portman will be judged by his efforts on the Council which have been professional, responsive, and exemplary.
Joe, Have any of the Cary
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 21:47 — WhalerCaneJoe,
Have any of the Cary Town Councilors given your group or any of your candidates candidates any money other than Jack Smith or Jennifer Robinson?
PKW
Neither Jack Smith nor
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 21:58 — CaryCurmudgeonNeither Jack Smith nor Jennifer Robinson have contributed to our group (unless I missed something). Don Frantz did contribute. Any Town Council member is free to commit their own money, I just want people to know which candidates (and platforms) they are supporting.
Really, I figured they had,
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 22:32 — WhalerCaneReally, I figured they had, but no biggie. You seem to agree with me. The safe play for any of them is to stay out and not touch it with a ten foot pole.
.
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 16:21 — g88ky07posted below
Election finance reports?
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 16:03 — PercyKution'Ol Jim Black used to file pre-election reports too, didn't he? Just left out the cash in the bag in the pooper? Just about the same with this bunch. ANYbody that "runs" for ANY elected office instantly brands themselves as a CROOK.
Cary voters should know that
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 15:47 — CaryCurmudgeonCary voters should know that Town Council member Erv Portman has now contributed to the campaigns of Rita Rakestraw and Lois Nixon (the contribution to Nixon was from Mr. Portman's wife).
You must be pure. :-)
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 20:54 — WhalerCaneYou must be pure. :-)
12 Facts Cary Voters should also know . . .
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 19:47 — rem156I am writing to inform you of some very disturbing facts
about our WCPSS School District #9 and to encourage every Cary Citizen to get
out and voting on or before Oct 6th.
Fact #1.
Cary High School has moved the Latino and Low economic school
nodes – located just north of the school near the old post office and the node
across from our new post office – moved out of Cary High’s home district
residence zone –to Panther Creek and to Apex. Why - As an effort
by WCPSS to reduce this population of students from Cary HS where they are not
as successful as other Cary teens. I was shocked by this because these nodes
(see attached maps) have always been Cary HS and most of the students could
walk to school to be active in the schools’ various activities – and now they
are being bused 12 to 18 miles each day
. . . how will these Cary families be involved with these schools.
Fact #2.
The performance of Cary High School over the past 6 years has declined
from 85.9% to 83.6% - or a loss of over 1500 students in just 6 years!
Fact #3.
East Cary Middle is not a good analysis of ABC performance due
to the fact that since 2003-2004 through 2006-2007 school years, it has served
as the 9th grade Academy for Cary High.
Fact #4.
In 2007-08, East Cary Middle served as a middle school magnet
and was a year-round school, where 29.8% of the students were unsuccessful.
Fact #5.
If you were Hispanic and went to East Cary, you had less that
a 50% chance of being successful – only 42.9% were successful. If you were African American, your success
ratio was somewhat higher, but 4 out of 10 African American students still
failed.
Fact #6.
If your child was Asian or Caucasian, you were nearly twice as
successful as Hispanic and/or African American students.
Fact #7.
Overall, across the District 9, we have gone from a district
where 9 out of 10 children were successful in 2002 through 2004 to a point in
statistics where in 2007-08 only 67% were successful – that’s one in three
FAILED!
Fact #8.
Cary High School, the only high school in our district, has a
9th grade promotion rate nearly 6 points below that of the Wake
County School’s average - 86.6%, compared to 92.4% for the school
system.
Fact #9.
Cary High’s drop -out rate is nearly 50% higher than that of
the school system – 6.26% compared to 4.21%.
Fact #10.
If your child is a beginning freshman at Cary High School you
have less than an 80% chance that your child will graduate from Cary High
School. And, less than 60% chance that
your starting freshman, even if they spend five years completing high school,
will go on to a 2 or 4 year college.
Fact #11.
There are NO Charter Schools within our district.
Fact #12.
The number of private schools in our district has grown by
over 100%.
It is clear to me that family and community are truly at the
lowest priority for the current school board and WCPSS leadership – thus
I will be voting for change . . . One vote for Debra Goldman – a calm voice for
change in our district!
In closing, I urge every voter to call Wake Ed Partnership
to verify these facts and talk to the people who not only support our schools
with their money and time, but have a true vision of what a 21st century
school system MUST BE and learn that WCPSS, in it’s present form,
will NEVER BE!
[WEP Suspending
Disbelief Report
But as the group
that worked on this project quickly realized, it is not possible
to graft a world-class system onto the existing structure of any district . . .
such as Wake County]
Step up to the
ballot box and VOTE on or before OCT 6th . . . I‘ll be there all day
to say thanks for voting and to talk as you go in, out or about our PRECINCT -
Our little slice of the American Dream!
Respectfully,
Ray E. Martin
Concerned Citizen and Voter
102 Cavendish Drive, Cary, NC 27513
Ph: 919-630-7052
Ref:
Wake Ed Partnership 2009 Report for Candidates &
Suspending Disbelief
http://ap2008.wcpss.net/assignment-proposal/schools/368.html?view=profile1
Of course Rakestraw had to
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 15:42 — woodstockOf course Rakestraw had to go outside Wake County for funding, the people in Wake have heard her stumble through her inarticulate presentation of the issues. Also, lots and lots of politics at play.
Prickett, Tedesco, Goldman and Malone are focued on education, families, and finding effective solutions. Vote for them on Oct. 6.
I guess you okay with that
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 20:13 — WhalerCaneI guess you okay with that Texas money to WSCA paying for mailers for Malone. Be careful of throwing stones
Or how about a good bit of Malone's, Tedesco's and Pricketts money coming from Western Wake outside their district.
Those were not groups but indivduals who gave to Rita because she is a family friend.
Oh and hopefully Prickett, Tedesco. Goldman and Malones resports as well as WSCA's will be there tomorrow.
Perry, You and anyone
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 21:24 — CaryCurmudgeonPerry,
You and anyone else who is interested has every right to review our report. The report was submitted today, I'd assume the BoE will have it available tomorrow.
The reports for Prickett and Goldman are posted in Keung's blog entry, I don't know about the other two.
Having candidate funding from outside their district but inside Wake County is much less of an issue than money coming from across the country -- School Board members are expected to do the right thing for the county.
Scary
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 21:44 — SDR256And the fact that established political groups from Washington DC would care enough about our local election is scary - really creepy to me. And it should tell us something about her allegiances.
Is this what you get paid
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 21:00 — woodstockIs this what you get paid to do? LOL
I have no idea what you are even talking about.
Nah, I do this for kicks.
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 21:06 — WhalerCaneNah, I do this for kicks. I'm not too concered with all 50 people who read this blog. Actually, even though I disagree with most of you, I appreciate your passion and willingness to engage when so many are ambivalent.
In essense I usually get paid so candidates fell good about their effort no matter what happens because running for office sucks. By helping my candidates focus on why they are running and how that impacts the voter, they usually exceed expectations. That's what I get paid for, but honestly, the pay sucks. I keep working for the good guys. :-)
How do you convince
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 21:47 — woodstockHow do you convince yourself that the status quo are the "good guys?" I put time and effort in trying to see both sides of an issue, and I honestly do not get that.
I am a doer in my work and in life. I get things done. If, in my job, I saw results like we have see in the graduation rates in Wake County, I would work my ass off to find new and better solutions. I don't see anyone on your side doing that, but I do see an army of decent, good-hearted and intelligent parents and others on the other side that care about children fighting for what they know is the right thing. I believe with every fiber of my being, both intellectually and emotionally, that neighborhood/community schools offer a strong foundation for improving education for every child in Wake County.
Okay, this one is
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 22:10 — WhalerCaneOkay, this one is easy.
In 1976, Wake County made the difficult and somewhat painful decision to merge, and desegregate our schools. At that time, Durham did not. Since then Wake County has grown tremendously, and has consistently been listed as one of the best places to live and work in America, due to no small part because of our schools. Durham was not so successful, recently followed our lead and merged, and still spends a great deal more per pupil than we do.
Not only did our inner city neighborhoods not deteriorate, but they flourised while growing communities have enjoyed a high quality of life.
Wake's graduation rate is 22% compared to the State rate of 30%. We rank 85th in the state in per pupil spending, yet remain a top three district. Our schools enjoy an exceptional national reputation because we have had the courage to make economic diverisity a priority.
We should and must do more, but moving backwards like Charlotte is a mistake. I get you believe with every fiber of your existence that neighborhood schools would be better, but experience demonstrates otherwise. I appreciate that passion, and other than eliminating diversity as part of the equation, I'm willing to listen and work for solutions.
It is really illogical to argue that concentrating low wealth students in high poverty schools will create an environment that serves those students. Again, Charlotte offers a clear lesson that isn't pollyana That is the decent good hearted intention that drives those on my side to not return to the 50's.
I hear a lot about the horrors of 'social engineering', but look how far we as a society have come in the last 40 years when it comes to race and other cultural divides that used to limit us.
Whether you like him or not, it is a great achievement for our Democracy that Barack Obama is the President of the United States. It is that spirit that drives me, not cash. That is how I sleep at night.
Whaler, please spare me the
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 22:57 — woodstockWhaler, please spare me the history lesson. I understand learning from the past. What I do not understand is wallowing in it to the point of not looking forward. The times, the county, the dynamics, and the world has changed since 1976. Time for a new perspective.
You really cannot see the forest for the trees, can you? You epitomze the status quo/Chamber of Commerce thinking. If it looks good on the surface, that is all that seems to matter.
But we are talking about children here, and lives that will be limited if there are not better solutions. You cannot look at our stagnent graduation rates for student subgroups and feel good about them eventhough the overall rates look adequate. All that means is that the middle-class while and Asian kids are doing very well. You KNOW that far too many students from poor families and many minorities are failing in Wake County and not a damn thing is being done about it other than shuffling them around to, for all intents and purposes, hide them in the system so their low performance is not too noticeable.
Your only point of reference seems to be CMS. There is a whole world out there and better solutions exist. Hell, Guiford County -- 3rd largest school district in NC -- without nearly the resources or stature of Wake -- has far better graduation rates for economically disadvantaged students as well as for most other subgroups of students.
NO ONE has suggested "eliminating diversity." I don't even know why that keeps coming up. It just does not need to be so calculated and painful to achieve. First and foremost, education MUST be the top priority.
After school programs will likely be part of the solution to raising the graduation rates for some student populations. Where should these programs reside? Where the students go to school 20 miles from home, or in the community where they live? That is a very real and practical consideration to make. Also, mountains of research indicates that increased parental involvement is essential for improving the academic performance of students. Neighborhood school accomodate that better than schools located far from home.
Policy 6200 just plain does not work. The same kids are succeeding and the same kids are failing as they were a decade ago. Time for a change.
Woodstock, First, thank
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 23:21 — WhalerCaneWoodstock,
First, thank you, I have never in my life been accused of being a tool of the Chamber of Commerce. Usually they are mad at me becaue I argue that growth should pay for itself.
Being a product of Guilford County Schools before the merger in 1993, I can speak to this. I will bet the farm that none of you would tolerate your kid going to Dudley high school, but almost all would be okay with SE Raleigh High.
It is even more ridiculas when Wake School opponents suggest that Halifax County does a better job than any school in Wake.
I'm not sure, but I think GCHS's per pupil spending is higher than Wake, but I must confirm.
I agree with you we are talking Children here, and I think it shameful that we are 85th in the state in per pupil spending. I'm not arguing 'policy 6200' works. I know we must do more, but none of you has offered a compelling argument that concentrating economically disadvantaged students in high poverty schools will be the answer.
You say that "NO ONE has suggested 'eliminating diversity', but that is exactly what WSCA and 'neighborhood schools' propose. By definition, if you eliminate SES as a criteria in assignment, you eliminate 'diversity'.
If it is really the case that you desire economic diversity, but a better way of achieving it, then we are going to find a lot of common ground.
If you eliminate SES as a criteria
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 13:31 — TrailerParkGirlBy definition, if you eliminate SES as a criteria in assignment, you eliminate 'diversity'.
That is a huge overstatement.
First off, STILL waiting for someone to show where outside of WCPSS the defination of diversity is SES balancing such that no school is more than 40% F&R. I could wait until I turn blue and still not get a response because NO ONE else defines "diversity" that way. In fact, most diversity initiatives define diversity in a way that includes and tries to appreciate all perspectives and does not stereotype, which is the opposite of what 6200 is based upon.
Second, the schools in my SES and ethnically diverse area of the county will still be diverse and the ED kids that live there will get to stay instead of being bussed 18 miles out to the Wake/Chathem line.
We have got to stop looking at all this like it's an all or none issue. The status quo make it sound like there are absolutely no SES and/or ethnically diverse areas of the county, which is not the state of things.
It's not about trying to eliminate diversity, it's about finding ways to increase student achievement by increasing parental and community involvement and stability, which policy 6200 as is has not accomplished. There are high poverty schools that have found ways to accomplish parental and community involvement and stability and taken a different viewpoint on academic achievement for lower income students and HAVE raised student achievement. My biggest beefs with 6200 is that the theory behind it is based on defeatism and it is school focused instead of student focused and THAT HAS TO STOP. If that doesn't stop, NOTHING will change.
"If it is really the case
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 06:24 — woodstock"If it is really the case that you desire economic diversity, but a better way of achieving it, then we are going to find a lot of common ground."
This is what I don't get, for you and the other valiant and obsessive protectors of the status quo, for you it is about contrived diversity at all costs. The question for me is, what do we do to improve education especaily for those student who struggle the most? Has the economic diversity policy worked for the students it is intended to help. The answer is a resounding, NO, it has not. Evidence suggests otherwise. Have there been successes when the programs and resources to assist ED students are implemented at the community level? YES, there are many examples of successes.
The challenges many ED students face extend outside of the school setting and into the community where they live. To ignore that reality is to ignore the many potential solutions to their continued academic failure. The clock is ticking and as we hesistate to institute new forward-thinking policies that do not naively rely on magic bus rides to fix complex problems, more and more kids are heading into the future without graduating from high school. This is devastating and tremendously impacts their opportunities for success.
I find it mind-boggling that the issue of economic diversity continues to be such a hurdle for moving forward. The current policy does not work and continuing it is delaying the implementation of other more effective measures.
Woodstock,Is your
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 07:26 — WhalerCaneWoodstock,
Is your primary concern really for economicly disadvantaged students? Is that what got you following what is happening in our schools, or is it re-assignment?
I agree heartedly that the challenges they face extend beyond the classroom.
I have said repeatedly that maintaining economic balance in our schools is not the silver bullet, and more must be done. However, concentrating ED students in high poverty schools is not the answer, and there is plenty of evidence to suggest that.
Has the economic diversity policy worked for the students it is intended to help? Yes it has. Again, look at what has happened in Durham the past 30 years, and Charlotte the past ten. That said, it is merely part of any solution.
I agree that ignoring the impacts of drop outs on our community will have long term concequences to all of us. Other than eliminating economic balance in our schools since we know that will lead to economic segregation and balkinize our County, what are some of the "many potential solutions"? I'm open to them.
So you're very similar to a campaign sign
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 21:22 — g88ky07it makes you "feel good", but isn't good for much else.
A heck of a lot more than 50
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 21:20 — KeungHui (author)A heck of a lot more than 50 people read the blog. I wouldn't be spending that much time here if the response was that low. The blog is usually the third- or fourth-most read blog at the paper. It's behind Under the Dome, ACC Now and Canes Now during hockey season. That doesn't include the other web sites that pick up the material here.
Keung, With all do respect,
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 21:55 — WhalerCaneKeung,
With all do respect, I'm sure more than 50 read your posts, but the time committment to read every comment is beyond your average reader. So please take no offense, I was refering to the comments section.
I've seen who posts. It is way less than 50 on average. It is hard to imagine many beyond those who like to see what they write read all the comments.
Regarding readers
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 21:59 — SDR256Well, I've had more than a handful of people tell me that they read this blog but do not post - for various reasons.
Okay, what is fair then.
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 22:16 — WhalerCaneOkay, what is fair then. 10 readers for every poster? That seems a stretch particularly this far down the thread, but sure. 11 people have posted to this tread so far. What's that 110? Okay, let's double that.
Don't get me wrong, I find this valuable, but I learned a long time ago to not overestimate my impact or take myself too seriously.
How About A Happy Hour!
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 08:30 — JanisTangoI would like to suggest that no matter what the outcome is next week, that we all get together for a happy hour! The only requirement is you have to reveal your blog handle! I really do hope that the two sides can come together to enact positive change. I'm confident that we will win these districts and I know our candidates aren't going to shut their ears to parents like the current BOE has done in the past!
P.S. Perry...I can show you movements that were made with the latest reassignment that had no affect whatsever on diversity or overall numbers of a school! That is the stuff that has to stop!
Janis, Deal, and I am
Fri, 10/02/2009 - 22:49 — WhalerCaneJanis,
Deal, and I am open to listening about those issues because I know I don't have all the answers. I just don't believe warehousing ED students in high poverty schools is moving us in the right direction.
Even if the opposition
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 09:43 — user12345Even if the opposition doesn’t make any inroads, I think they will still have had an impact on the discussion … it is not about which group gets their “man” in office … it is actually about the kids … it seems like there are two groups (not diversity vs. non-diversity) … it is care (30%) and don’t care (70%) … the real fight is getting the 30% who care about schools to convince the 70% who don’t to part with their money (taxes and bonds) … many here have said “if I don’t like something, I won’t pay” … there are plenty of people out there looking for a reason not to pay for public schools …. as we age and there are fewer and fewer families with children depending on the shrinking population of parents to pull the volunteer load won’t work in the future … so, I expect that after the election that YR, Magnets and Reassignments, VoTech and maybe ED performance will be discussed and modified ...
Good
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 21:47 — SDR256Well, we certainly enjoy it. And it provides a great outlet for otherwise difficult to find and share information. Any possibility you could provide a ballpark figure as to how many readers you do have? Just curious, so if its not possible I understand.
Outside Interests
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 15:28 — CaryCurmudgeonFrom the beginning of her campaign, a huge chunk of Rita Rakestraw's funding has come from outside of Wake County.
I would hope that District 2 voters ask themselves why people from Washington DC are so interested in their district.
Joe, I'm sorry I have
Fri, 10/02/2009 - 22:50 — WhalerCaneJoe,
I'm sorry I have seen this earlier. Over 75% of Malone's funding has come from outside his district, and only $100 from anyone outside of Wake Forest.
Oh, and it's district 1.