Wednesday, July 13, 2011

More join crowded school board race

After a tumultous year filled with budget cuts, school closings, teacher layoffs and the superintendent's resignation, you might think one of the hardest political jobs in Charlotte right now would be serving as a school board member.

If that's the case, it's certainly not scaring people away from the race for three at-large seats up for grabs on this November's ballot. Today, Ericka Ellis-Stewart, a Harding University High parent leader and a leader in the MeckFUTURE parents' group, is filing to run. That makes her the second MeckFUTURE member to file, joining group co-founder Elyse Dashew. Ellis-Stewart said in a press release that she plans to bring "thoughtful and practical leadership" to the board, with an emphasis on greater openness in decision-making, effective use of resources, and rigorous coursework.

Lloyd Scher, the outspoken former Mecklenburg commissioner, told me yesterday that he's about to jump into the race, too. He said he plans to file on Friday morning at about 10:30 a.m., which would put him at the board of elections right before incumbent Kaye McGarry plans to appear and announce her plans.

Scher, who served on the commission from 1992 to 2000, didn't have kind words for former Superintendent Peter Gorman. He said Gorman misled the public and the school board this year when he said schools were struggling with a $100 million budget gap. CMS officials have said that gap only disappeared after the state and the county came in with better-than-expected budget support for local schools, but Scher doesn't buy it. Gorman, he said, was too far out in front of the school board on the budget and on pay-for-performance plans for teachers.

Darrin Rankin, a Huntersville insurance agent who ran at-large for city council in 2009, told me he's also announcing at 11 a.m. Friday. Rankin, who ran for city council as a Democratic candidate, said at the time that he hadn't tried for office previously and was running as a concerned citizen and businessman.

Ellis-Stewart brings the number of officially filed candidates to nine. With McGarry, Scher, Rankin and former teacher's union leader Mary McCray voicing plans to join them, it appears there will be at least 13 candidates vying for three seats.

A crowded field, indeed.

46 comments:

Wiley Coyote said...

I'm already stocking up on popcorn....

part-time teacher said...

Uh, Eric, you might want to change this part of your post: "... former teacher's union leader Mary McCray..." or all the WE DON'T HAVE A UNION teachers will be a'howlin'.

Anonymous said...

Please stop calling it a "teachers union"....unions are illegal in NC, a right to work state.

Anonymous said...

I don't care who wins as long as Tim Morgan is booted. His blind allegiance to Gorman and his costly, dumb programs have hurt CMS. Parents, if you are tired of the overemphasis on standardized testing remember his name as one to vote against.

Anonymous said...

No, unions are NOT illegal in NC. That is a widely held misconception. If unions were illegal in NC it would be in violation of the Labor Relations (or "Wagner Act") of 1935. What you might be referring to is that state, county, and municipal governments in NC are forbidden by law to engage in collective bargaining with public employee unions. Public sector unions are not illegal in NC, just pointless.

Anonymous said...

Tim Morgan is running district safe. Which means he will be on the board regardless. His District term is up in 2013.

Anonymous said...

Wiley, Thought you might want to see this--has nothing to do specifically with school board race but does apply to FRL situation. I received this in an email from a non-profit today. Note that no registration or identification is needed to access this program. No one wants kids to go hungry, summertime or otherwise, but if our tax dollars are paying for this shouldn't there be some sort of accounting for who is using this service? And are there really that many families that can't afford to provide a breakfast or lunch to their kids?

"Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' Child Nutrition hosts the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) which began in mid-June and will continue through mid-August. CMS officials said low-income children are most vulnerable to malnutrition during the summer, when schools are closed and regular meals aren't available. For three decades, the summer feeding program has worked to close that gap. "When a kid doesn't get food, they can't develop and when they're not developing, they can't learn," said nutritionist Christina Harley. Administrators say the first of the week are the most important day to feed the children. "On Monday they are really hungry," CMS Child Nutrition Services Representative Amy Harkey said, "because the weekend didn't afford enough for them to eat." Sites participating in the program are located in low-income areas throughout the district. On average, 4,000 breakfasts and 7,700 lunches are served.

The SFSP in our community allows children 18 years and under to enjoy the same healthy breakfasts and lunches they get in school at a site in your neighborhood all summer long-for free! SFSP sites are located throughout Mecklenburg County. No registration or identification is needed. This program will operate through Friday, August 12, 2011 at select sites. Click here for a list up SFSP sites for summer 2011. "This maybe the only opportunity for kids to get a well balanced meal." Harkey said. (There may be other SFSP sites in your area, like the one at The Park Church, listed at the bottom of this newsletter. Check with your church if a school is not near you.)"

Anonymous said...

FDR's opinion on collective bargaining for government workers:

"... Meticulous attention should be paid to the special relationships and obligations of public servants to the public itself and to the government. All Government employees should realize that the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service. It has its distinct and insurmountable limitations ... The very nature and purposes of Government make it impossible for ... officials ... to bind the employer ... The employer is the whole people, who speak by means of laws enacted by their representatives."

No state allowed collective bargaining by government workers prior to 1959. Ironically the first state to do so was Wisconsin.

Anonymous said...

Does it really take two of you to write this?

Why does the observer propogate bar hopping like they do in light of all the DUI stories in the news lately?

Wiley Coyote said...

Anon 2:44...

That's the tip of the iceberg when it comes to billions doled out by the Feds for nutritional services.

Again, verify and help those who qualify.

Eric Frazier said...

About the question of whether there are unions in North Carolina, I've always been of the same opinion/understanding as Anon 1:52. Unions aren't illegal in North Carolina, but collective bargaining (which gives unions their leveraging power) is.

BolynMcClung said...

HERE'S THE NC LABOR DEPT LINK ON UNIONS

http://www.nclabor.com/laborlaws.pdf

Go to 95-97.

I won't summarize. Read and understand.

Bolyn McClung
Pineville

Anonymous said...

It never seems to matter who runs, the same morons get voted in and then the majority complain. Not sure how that happens but it does.

therestofthestory said...

4:29 PM. It happens because of how the district lines are gerrymandered to ensure the democrats and those that depend on the giverment keep control. The inner city districts' votes count more than the suburban votes.

Eric Frazier said...

UPDATE: Former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Association of Educators president Mary McCray did file today, as did retired teacher Maria Collias. So, along with Ellis-Stewart, that makes 11 candidates on the ballot so far.

Anonymous said...

Unions are not illegal in North Carolina. You should look up the definition of "right to work" state.

Electing the president of the local teacher's union to the school board would be the definition of the fox guarding the henhouse. Have any other major school districts done that in the past?

Anonymous said...

Being a Right tow Work State effectively renders the main point of a union ineffective.


http://www.nrtw.org/c/ncrtwlaw.htm

Anonymous said...

Right to Work States: North Carolina
NORTH CAROLINA


CHAPTER 95. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND LABOR REGULATIONS
ARTICLE 10.
DECLARATION OF POLICY AS TO LABOR ORGANIZATIONS.

N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 95-78. to 84.
§ 95-78. Declaration of public policy.

The right to live includes the right to work. The exercise of the right to work must be protected and maintained free from undue restraints and coercion. It is hereby declared to be the public policy of North Carolina that the right of persons to work shall not be denied or abridged on account of membership or nonmembership in any labor union or labor organization or association. (Enacted March 18, 1947.)

§ 95-79. Certain agreements declared illegal.

Any agreement or combination between any employer and any labor union or labor organization whereby persons not members of such union or organization shall be denied the right to work for said employer, or whereby such membership is made a condition of employment or continuation of employment by such employer, or whereby any such union or organization acquires an employment monopoly in any enterprise, is hereby declared to be against the public policy and an illegal combination or conspiracy in restraint of trade or commerce in the State of North Carolina. (Enacted March 18, 1947.)

Larry said...

I will start looking on Craigs List and Ebay for the small car for all of us to pile out of during the debates.

Anonymous said...

§ 95-80. Membership in labor organization as condition of employment prohibited.

No person shall be required by an employer to become or remain a member of any labor union or labor organization as a condition of employment or continuation of employment by such employer. (Enacted March 18, 1947.)

§ 95-81. Nonmembership as condition of employment prohibited.

No person shall be required by an employer to abstain or refrain from membership in any labor union or labor organization as a condition of employment or continuation of employment. (Enacted March 18, 1947.)

§ 95.82. Payment of dues as condition of employment prohibited.

No employer shall require any person, as a condition of employment or continuation of employment, to pay any dues, fees, or other charges of any kind to any labor union or labor organization. (Enacted March 18, 1947.)

§ 95-83. Recovery of damages by persons denied employment.

Any person who may be denied employment or be deprived of continuation of his employment in violation of G.S. 95-80, 95-81 and 95-82 or of one or more of such sections, shall be entitled to recover from such employer and from any other person, firm, corporation, or association acting in concert with him by appropriate action in the courts of this State such damages as he may have sustained by reason of such denial or deprivation of employment. (Enacted March 18, 1947.)

§ 95-84. Application of Article.

The provisions of this Article shall not apply to any lawful contract in force on the effective date hereof but they shall apply in all respects to contracts entered into thereafter and to any renewal or extension of any existing contract. (Enacted March 18, 1947.)

ARTICLE 12.
UNITS OF GOVERNMENT AND LABOR UNIONS, TRADE UNIONS, AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS, AND PUBLIC EMPLOYEE STRIKES

§ 95-98. Contracts between units of government and labor unions,trade unions or labor organizations concerning public employees declared to be illegal.

Any agreement, or contract, between the governing authority of any city, town, county, or other municipality, or between any agency, unit, or instrumentality thereof, or between any agency, instrumentality, or institution of the State of North Carolina, and any labor union, trade union, or labor organization, as bargaining agent for any public employees of such city, town, county or other municipality, or agency or instrumentality of government, is hereby declared to be against the public policy of the State, illegal, unlawful, void and of no effect.(Enacted 1959.)

§ 95-100. No provisions of Article 10 of Chapter 95 applicable to units of government or their employees.

The provisions of Article 10 of Chapter 95 of the General Statutes shall not apply to the State of North Carolina or any agency,institution, or instrumentality thereof or the employees of same nor shall the provisions of Article 10 of Chapter 95 of the General Statutes apply to any public employees or any employees of any town, city, county or other municipality or the agencies or instrumentalities thereof, nor shall said Article apply to employees of the State or any agencies, instrumentalities or institutions thereof or to any public employees whatsoever. (Enacted 1959.)

Mudd E. Diction said...

While CMS is looks around America for models of success and to the business community for leadership...schools outside the U.S.A. show the best academic returns. For instance, Finland has some of the finest education output in the world while not focusing primarily on the test. Was there much discussion about students when the additional testing got the go ahead or was it more about measuring teacher performance? Principals are hired for their professional judgment and they should have the authority to judge who performs and who does not. Perhaps principals should be taking the tests. If CMS wants to be true leaders, or better yet innovators, why not model our programs on the most successful education programs on the planet? Gates, Murdock and others are they educators or financiers? Maybe CMS should stop chasing after the free money and use our tax dollars in a more fiduciary manner. Garringer was a beautiful innovative school in its day. Visit the back halls and see what some have called progress!

Anonymous said...

Ann and Eric,
In case you are not following posts to the previous topic (cheating in Atlanta) you really should take a look at them immediately. Internal CMS memos, accusations against named faculty members, etc.--way out of line. I can't believe you and The Observer are allowing this to go on.

Anonymous said...

8:46AM, This is STILL AMERICA and freedom of speech is still alive and well. This is a blog. Open discussions. There is no foul language. The posters here are responsible. They do not use foul language or disparaging remarks. This is an OPEN FORUM for information sharing. If the truth hurts read the news.

Anonymous said...

Mudd - why are we looking OUTSIDE the USA. There are great schools right here. If we use the "private school" model we would have a great base. Yeah, yeah I know that public schools take ALL the kids. But maybe we need to rethink that. Take ALL the kids UNTIL they show they can't handle it. THEN send those kids to be home schooled or send them to Alternative programs. In that way those who WISH to LEARN can stay in school and will learn. That used to be the way it was when we were ON TOP!

Anonymous said...

10:11--Okay, let's ask Ann and Eric for some clarification about what is allowable on this blog (after all it is their, and the Observer's, blog). If you or I start a blog we can certainly set up standards for what can be posted. Does the Observer do the same? I would like to know if The Observer believes it is appropriate for someone to make accusations against school personnel, actually naming names, on this blog. In addition, is it appropriate for a commenter to post an in-house email (different than Ann or Eric obtaining emails through channels.)? Are there a set of standards or rules which govern this blog? If not and anything goes, then so be it. Open the floodgates!

Anonymous said...

Today, news of probable cheating on state tests by teachers is emerging.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/11/educators-tamper-students-tests_n_895179.html

Quote:
"The rooster is guarding the hen house," said Gregory Cizek, a University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill professor involved in analysis of Atlanta's schools. "When you're asking the state Department of Education to follow up on the state education system's potential problems, you're asking the wrong people to follow up on that. It should be some external or independent arm that does the follow up or the analyses."

Wonder how some of these ticked-off teachers reps jumping in the school board race would handle a teacher investigation at CMS?

Wiley Coyote said...

Several cases have been brought before the national courts against bloggers concerning issues of defamation or liability.

U.S. payouts related to blogging totaled $17.4 million by 2009; in some cases these have been covered by umbrella insurance. The courts have returned with mixed verdicts. Internet Service Providers (ISPs), in general, are immune from liability for information that originates with third parties (U.S. Communications Decency Act and the EU Directive 2000/31/EC).

In Doe v. Cahill, the Delaware Supreme Court held that stringent standards had to be met to unmask the anonymous posts of bloggers and also took the unusual step of dismissing the libel case itself (as unfounded under American libel law) rather than referring it back to the trial court for reconsideration.

In a bizarre twist, the Cahills were able to obtain the identity of John Doe, who turned out to be the person they suspected: the town's mayor, Councilman Cahill's political rival. The Cahills amended their original complaint, and the mayor settled the case rather than going to trial.

Employees who blog about elements of their place of employment can begin to affect the brand recognition of their employer. In general, attempts by employee bloggers to protect themselves by maintaining anonymity have proved ineffective.

Delta Air Lines fired flight attendant Ellen Simonetti because she posted photographs of herself in uniform on an airplane and because of comments posted on her blog "Queen of Sky: Diary of a Flight Attendant" which the employer deemed inappropriate.

This case highlighted the issue of personal blogging and freedom of expression versus employer rights and responsibilities, and so it received wide media attention. Simonetti took legal action against the airline for "wrongful termination, defamation of character and lost future wages".

The suit was postponed while Delta was in bankruptcy proceedings (court docket).

Anonymous said...

Anon 11:12 - It plainly states at the bottom of all CMS email messages:

"Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to public records requests pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Law,
resulting in monitoring and potential disclosure of this message to third parties."

As we've seen with elected officals, and municipal employees, anything written in government emails is considered public information.

Anonymous said...

I would hope that the teacher reps would follow-up on this article and check out THE ROOSTERS (Administrators,top and middle)FIRST then the HENS. As a teacher I would welcome any outside investigation that would "bust open" whatever 11:12am is afraid of finding through these blogs.

Anonymous said...

Anon 10:17 - Unfortunately, we would most likely end up with more students in "Alternative Schools" than regular classrooms.

Anonymous said...

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bychapter/chapter_132.html

Chapter 132.
Public Records.

§ 132‑1. "Public records" defined.

(a) "Public record" or "public records" shall mean all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data‑processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of public business by any agency of North Carolina government or its subdivisions. Agency of North Carolina government or its subdivisions shall mean and include every public office, public officer or official (State or local, elected or appointed), institution, board, commission, bureau, council, department, authority or other unit of government of the State or of any county, unit, special district or other political subdivision of government.

(b) The public records and public information compiled by the agencies of North Carolina government or its subdivisions are the property of the people. Therefore, it is the policy of this State that the people may obtain copies of their public records and public information free or at minimal cost unless otherwise specifically provided by law. As used herein, "minimal cost" shall mean the actual cost of reproducing the public record or public information. (1935, c. 265, s. 1; 1975, c. 787, s. 1; 1995, c. 388, s. 1.)

Ann Doss Helms said...

Just now looked at comments; thanks for the heads-up on what was happening on another post. I have pulled the questionable ones, and we'll have a discussion about what the boundaries should be.

Mudd E. Diction said...

Hey 10:17.

We should look outside the USA for an education model because US students are competing on an international basis, and the US is not in the top tier in terms of educating kids. Home school and even private schools are for a select few and should remain autonomous. Just as public monies will corrupt religious institutions when they come to count on it, public money will also compromise the private in private schools! I do not see public subsidized private school as the answer to public school. It is understandable how private school board members and parents would appreciate running more on the public dole and less on their own private funding.

Anonymous said...

http://schoolmatters.knoxnews.com/forum/topics/most-recent-broadtrained

The Broad Virus continues to raise its ugly head. Our troubles started with our board undergoing this training that taught them not to question the superintendent. After 2008, we had no one on the board with enough guts and knowledge to provide checks and balances to Gorman's smoke and mirrors leadership. Let's make sure we are not hoodwinked again by electing people who know something about educational policy.

Anonymous said...

Mudd,
The solution to your conundrum is that society should set the amount we want to contribute towards education and then split that money equally in the form of tax credits per child. The parents receive the money and spend it as they see fit. The schools wouldn't receive money or control from the government at all.
The parents would decide where to send their children to school, and varying schools could specialize in various subjects, environments, structure, etc. The government needn't operate it's own system, just give parents the opportunity to pick the best school for their children. The "public school" model simply doesn't work.

Anonymous said...

5:40
What you describe is sort of like the flat tax...sounds great in theory, but it would put too many accountants and tax lawyers out of work...the inertia is toward keeping these folks employed. Just think about who loses if the current school model is blown up...won't happen in my lifetime.

Wiley Coyote said...

For all of the tax credits, vouchers, etc, at the end of the day, a child has to go to school, pay attention and learn something.

The first President of the United States will be the same in every classroom and every school.

There are 26 letters in the alphabet in every school.

The condundrum Anon 5:40 is if public schools aren't working (I agree) and private schools, KIPP, etc do, then why is it that the Drs. of so and so Education and the politicians haven't figured that out for decades?

One would think that if KIPP, charters, private schools work much better, then why not reconfigure the public schools to that system?

The problem is, too many politicians and bleeding heart educrats can't bring themselves to make the radical changes necessary to save public schools.

Those changes include accountability from parents, students, teachers educrat admins and also accountability within the system regarding funding.

Anonymous said...

Old news BUT...this community elected Vilma Leake to the BOE who was a former President of CMAE the same as Mary McCray. We all know what that got us. Do you want a repeat? Tim Morgan is a puppet for the Chamber as well as others including Eric Davis. The Chamber is setting the agenda for the School District. Since when do they know what is the proper way to educate children? They know we need an educated work force so get out of the way and let those who know what they are doing get the job done! That includes the Executive Administration of CMS. Stop the micro-management!

Anonymous said...

What having Vilma Leake, George Dunlap, Molly Griffin, and other experienced board members got you was some one to keep an out of control superintendent in check. Pete didn't go off the deep end until he had his five votes who drank his koolaid without question. Those are the people he thoroughly hung out to dry, especially Eric Davis.
Remember folks, it has only been since the new district members were elected in 2008 that the Broad virus and its puppeteer obtained absolute power. Now you see where that has gotten us. We need a representative elected board, including someone who knows educational policy and practices from the schoolhouse door to the statehouse floor. Elect Mary McCray!

Wiley Coyote said...

If you want the same spend money at all cost for the status quo, by all means support Mary MCcray.

Here is what her organization stands for:

Education Issues for 2011

• To maintain the 1% sales tax that is set to expire in order to sustain teaching positions for class size stability.
• Raise the tax on beer and wine, canned/ bottled soft drinks and teas, as well as all energy drink sales by $.05. Also increase cigarette sales tax by $.25 to fund teaching assistants.
•Do not support vouchers (tuition tax credits) that allow public school funds to be used for private schools and home schooling.
• Do not allow charter school language to be changed to eliminate demographic and accountability requirements.
•Do not create Pay for Performance plans based on individual employee value-added scores.
• Fully fund Pre-K programs and North Carolina Public Schools.
•Do not support over-testing of students.
• Maintain the state insurance and retirement systems in their current form so that we can recruit well-qualified applicants to the school systems.
•Do not support the re-segregation of public schools and public school programs


Also associated with the NEA....

NEA President: “America Cannot Have a Middle Class Without Unions”


Yeah, keep funding those black holes known as "pre-K".....

Wiley Coyote said...

....also...

Busing is dead. Forced integration is dead.

To continue to try and gerrymander schools to fit a social agenda will continue to drive people away from CMS.

At some point, people of your mindset have to get a grip on reality and realize it doesn't matter where a child goes to school, they have to learn, have manners and respect and do the required work.

One would think after 40 years, people of that mindset would get it.

Anonymous said...

That is what it is all about isn't it. You want to kill public schools so that you can siphon the money to create private school like charters. It is easy to see through the crap you're espousing that it would be better for the minority kids. You have been using them to push for vouchers and charters so you can get them for your children. You create discord by saying they are getting more money per child than the suburban children when you know that money is eaten up by personnel costs and comes from federal programs for special needs children and Title I.

The next outcry from you is let's divide the money equally, push them all into high poverty schools and take care of our own. You see we want a private school education for our children paid for by public school monies. Well, like everything else done in the dark, it all comes out.

The education philanthropists and the charter school movement are tied together. Watch out for all who espouse these solutions. It is simply to destroy public education.

Yes, busing for desegregation is dead in Charlotte, but not busing to take your child out of the neighborhood to a magnet to get away from your neighborhood school.
You are absolutely right that education and manners begin in the home but high expectations for a child's behavior and education must exist in all of the adults that child encounters. So those who have practiced the discriminatory practices of low expectations are also to blame for what is happening in CMS. State the rules, set high standards, provide support for those who are struggling, discipline those who are keeping others from learning. The kicker is in the execution of holding everyone accountable and making sure no one's child is exempt from the stated consequences. Is every one being rewarded or punished equally?

By saying people of "your mindset" is almost like saying "you people". Is this the new doublespeak? You do not know me so how can you speak of my mindset? Are you assuming that I am Mary McCray? If so you are absolutely incorrect.

A little historical context. Integration never occurred. Desegregation was mandated by law but integration occurs when the minds and hearts of people change. As for busing today, I believe the majority of African Americans could care less about their children spending hours on a bus to go sit next to a white child. What they do want is the best education for their child. So the solution is to strengthen their neighborhood schools with stable and mature faculties and principals. They have been the guinea pigs with TFA, TIF-Leap, Strategic Staffing, etc. How long have these programs been left in place to give them time to work?

I could go on but I believe Mary McCray will look out for all of the children in Mecklenburg county and that's why she will get my vote.

Wiley Coyote said...

You have so many assumptions that are incorrect.

It's best not to assume anything. Surely you know that.

Never have I ever pushed vouchers so you're 100% wrong there.

I am all for trying to FIX public education where the product is such that ALL parents in the County want to send their kids to the schools they pay taxes to support yet put them in private schools.

So much for your "seeing through my crap". Again, you're 100% wrong.

The fact is, Title One schools DO receive more funds, not only from the government but also corporations such as the $55 million given to 8 schools when there are just as many low income students who deserve the same funds in other schools. Again, you're wrong. So be careful damning those "philanthropists".

I have never advocated spending the exact same amount of money per pupil so again, you're wrong.

What I have advocated is spending money effectively on programs that WORK and for 40 years, public education has FAILED at it.

CMS and other public systems use FRL numbers to justify more money and the FACT is, those FRL numbers are bogus. So again, your argument fails.

Regarding integration or desegregation, however you want to define it, I lived it.. I was in the middle of back in the late 60's and early 70's so your history lesson falls on deaf ears here.

And the last incorrect assumption you make is you believe I think you're Mary McCrary. It doesn't matter who you are as in my opinion, you're part of the same status quo that has led to the decline of public education.

"You people" means the status quo. THAT is what it means, so put your race card back in the deck.

I urge everyone to look at where the candidates stand and make your decisions based on facts.

Mary McCray is another tax and spend Democrat who will NOT get my vote.

Anonymous said...

The school board race is a nonpartisan election. Shouldn't we focus on who is committed to doing what is best for children, families and education in this county?

When did this become about Republicans or Democrats? What is it about Mary McCray that scares you into not waiting to hear her say directly where she stands on the issues? Is it because she might have a chance?

Larry said...

11:47 The Public School system does not work and we know it but for some reason like Miss Havisham we have people who think it is the only thing that needs to eat up the educational dollars. And to be honest, that is one thing it does very, very well.

They do not seem to care that the worst prisoners are the very people who could grow the most from the changes.

Folks all we have to do is to understand that times have changed and we have to change with them.

What we have is a system that has overloaded itself with benefits and alliances that keep real teaching from happening but instead keep jobs and excellent futures for those in it.

We now need smaller units focused on the needs of the community they serve and with volunteer boards not interested in an agenda other than a future in which the graduates compete with the rest of the world.

Imagine how much stronger the public system would be in competition for a voucher with excellent charter schools? Imagine the child shopping the best school to achieve their future goals?

The future is limitless. Oh wait not in the current setting. The programs is already set for everyone and it all one size.

Wiley Coyote said...

Anon 10:53...

A story on her running appears in the Observer and states she is a Democrat and supports the bullet points I posted above in another post, doing the same things we've been doing and throwing more good money after bad.

The facts on what she supports have been presented.

She certainly doesn't scare me at all. Her spend money at all cost for the same bad educational programs is out there for every voter to see.

Surely you jest as to "what does being a Republican or a Democrat have to do with this"? When you support the NEA, you've already made it political.

Since the demographic and political makeup of Charlotte and CMS is majority "minority", which overwhelming supports Democrat and union candidates, political party does come into play. It doesn't matter whether the BOE elections are supposed to be neutral or not.

I'm a registered Independent and don't support either party.