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
Joe, Am I mistaken, but
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 21:15 — WhalerCaneJoe,
Am I mistaken, but didn't you get 4K from Texas, and the majority of Rita's money has come from inside of Wake County.
I trust your report will be there tomorrow.
That $100 from Texas??
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 22:46 — petehsHahahaha! For the record, that token donation was made on behalf of a current Wake County resident. Not a single donation to WSCA came from a non-Wake contributor.
How sad that you compare WSCA's personal donations from parents with the donations Rita received from LOBBYISTS in WASHINGTON who haven't the SLIGHTEST concern for a single child here in our county.
Honestly, I heard that WSCA had their report done last week; however, they decided to postmark it at 5pm today (as is perfectly within the rules) so that you couldn't get your greasy fingers on it until later in the week...just kidding--don't have an attack.
Seriously, what are you, the "WSCA PAC Report Babysitter??" So glad you admitted your paycheck is small because you shouldn't be paid a dime more than someone who watches over my children.
Pete my friend, I am nothing
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 23:26 — WhalerCanePete my friend, I am nothing but as self admited hack who cares about the future of Wake County and our schools.
Rita's supportors in D.C. are family friends who recognize that Wake County has been a exceptional example of dealing with the challenges presented by a modern society.
I have no doubt that WSCA report will be available in the A.M. For the record, I got my reply for the SBOE to my complaint that stated that even though WSCA was in violation of the law, they were because of bad information they were given by the Wake BOE. I freely admit that they are resolved of any culpablility in that, and they are trying to comply.
I honestly believe Joe and most involved with WSCA have the best of intentions and are doing the best they can. I just respectfully disagree with their solution. If Joe was in my position, I'm confident he would have acted simularly.
I admit my paycheck is small because it is the least important part of what I do.
What Solution?
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 09:41 — JanisTangoI would really like to see in detail this supposed 'solution'. Everything I have heard from the WSCA is we don't have all the answers, but we know something has got to be done. They are campaigning on neighborhood schools or as I prefer to call them community schools! I personally don't mind keeping my school just the way it is so that the families have the knowledge that investing your time is a good thing because you are building a school that you will be at in 4 years. Did you know out of my son's 1st grade class of 102 students only 25 still attend this school 3 years later! That is appalling and that is what your precious diversity policy has done to our school!
Your candidates keep repeating all the money we are saving with year round schools. You and I both know the truth is they have the potential to save money, but they ARE NOT saving any money currently and won't be in the forseesable future!. The YR schools are way underutilized and running on a 12 month calendar. It just doesn't add up, but your folks keep saying it's happening. How disingenuous is that?
I'm planning to post the BOE
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 23:55 — KeungHui (author)I'm planning to post the state BOE letter on the complaint on Tuesday. I meant to do it today but I got tied up working on print stories. For what it's worth, I suspect two of the three posts I wrote in advance for tomorrow should generate lively discussion.
Oh goody, goody! Can't wait, Keung!
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 07:43 — petehsThanks for providing all 1 miiiiilllllllllllion of us so much entertainment throughout this journey.
I recall only one donation
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 21:45 — CaryCurmudgeonI recall only one donation of $4,000 and it was from a Wake County resident. I do recall a $100 contribution from Texas. Our report was submitted today.
We're all soooooooooo glad
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 22:29 — g88ky07Perry won't have to worry himself over the status of the reports tomorrow. It will leave him more time to ready for the harder issues like Iran, HealthCare, Social Security, Sock Washing and all those other goodies Lemming throws at him.
LOL, Very Strong post g8,
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 23:18 — WhalerCaneLOL, Very Strong post g8, but I'm betting that Schools will be primary topic when I am on "Lemming's" show on Wednesday at 5:00. I look forward to your call.
PKW
I could easily have
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 22:01 — WhalerCaneI could easily have misread, but that is what I recalled. Really, it is all just inside baseball that has little to nothing to do with the direction of schools.
You have done a good job getting your message out. Hopefully, my candidates have as well. let the chips fall, and let's try to come together after Nov.
I was confident you wouldn't let report slip past today. I look forward to seeing it tomorrow. FYI, I'm more interested in disbursements.
Not D2, I think it's D1.
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 17:17 — thedudescousinNot D2, I think it's D1.
probably because of
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 17:11 — AngelaWprobably because of this:
More school? Obama could trim summer break
President, education chief want to lengthen days, keep schools open later
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33054056/ns/us_news-education/
The Wake County School Board times 200!
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 17:20 — g88ky07How would he pull that off here when forced year round kids don't have a summer now? How would parents feel about 3 more hours each day? Who would pay for all that add'l. time to operate schools and pay teachers? Who would pay the local dance studios, sports groups, etc... for their losses and possible business closers when the kids have to cancel their extra activities? I could go on, but you get it.