‘This is a full time job:’ Wake County commissioners push for a 132% raise

The DCN News Blog Online TV response: I am trying to figure out what makes it a full time job because what do they do to justify that? What do they do everyday as it relates to being a County Commissioner? Most folk I know sit on boards work a real and full-time job. Help me understand!

Wake County’s highest elected official says the salary is entirely too low.

"(The county) has a $1.5 billion budget. And this is a full-time job," said Wake County Board of Commissioners Chair Sig Hutchinson.

Hutchinson is one of several on the panel in favor of a 132% percent salary increase. They argue it’s a necessity if Wake County wants to recruit the best candidates for county leadership. They say in a county growing so large so quickly — the current pay doesn’t cut it.

"We’re getting $22,000 a year," Hutchinson said. "And you can’t take care of yourself and your family for $22,000 a year."

The commissioners met this month to discuss the compensation proposal. Members currently make a combined annual pay of $28,588. The new proposal pushes total commissioner pay to over $66,000 including an increase to travel and technology stipends along with newly-added retirement compensation. (Read more)

Wake County Discrimination Video

Dear Friends:

Regretfully I am having to send you this email in regards to one of our politicians in Wake County.  As you will see in the video I have sent you the link for below, I was at the Wake County Commission Board Meeting on February 20^th just to capture some footage of the commission vote on Amendment One.  But when I got there, I saw much more than that.  As citizen after citizen stood up to speak to the commission, Chairman Paul Coble blatantly ignored them and at one point even tried to close the public comment period even after he knew that more citizens had signed up to speak.  In addition to that, the four commission republicans voted in favor of Paul Coble’s resolution that supported Amendment One without making any comment.  The three democrats all made brilliant speeches as to why this amendment is wrong, but Paul Coble and his supporting republicans ignored both their citizens and the reason of their fellow commissioners.  And the worst part is that Paul Coble wants to “represent” the very citizens he ignores as he is running for congress.

As a result, a felt compelled to put together this video that exposes his discriminatory behavior and attitude.  The original version I released last week got close to 1400 views in just 24 hours.  The version I have sent to you (with typographical errors corrected that were wrong in the original) has gotten an additional 400 views.  But it is my hope that you will share this anywhere and everywhere you can to enlighten people on who Paul Coble really is. 

By the time the commission voted on the Amendment One resolution that day, there were less than a hundred people in the room.  And I think this is exactly what Paul Coble was expecting with a plan that nobody would see how discriminating he really is.  Your helping me share this video will change all of that.

Thank you.

Video Link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5b1aKivjFs

Sincerely,

Eric Preston

2011-12 Reassignment Proposal–Source: Wake County Public Schools

The staff’s 2011-12 Reassignment Proposal was present to the Board of Education on Dec. 7, 2010. The overview document given to Board members is presented here in three parts: (Read more)

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Wake County Public Schools

Parents For Diversity UPDATES/Vote

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE and make sure that you remind others about the importance of everyone voting!

Anyone interested in working at the polls on Tuesday while receiving compensation?

We need to make sure that convicted felons who have served their time, have the right to VOTE!!

We have been told that some are being turned away for this very reason. Please  let me know if you are interested in making 10.00 per hour working at the polls on Tuesday.

Remember,  Your voice, Your VOTE!!

Historical perspective on Gurley, bonds and school construction

This April 2006 article from The Independent offers some historical perspective about how WCPSS got to this point regarding year-round schools and insufficient funding via the Wake County Commissioners. It is also a good reminder how the County Commissioners are intricately involved with school funding in Wake County. Tony Gurley, who is again seeking re-election on Tuesday, supported year-round schools as a cost-saving measure, and a means to float a smaller bond issue that didn’t exceed the billlion-dollar mark, even though that amount was truly needed to adequately fund WCPSS school construction four years ago. Now, Gurley says he does not support "mandatory year-round schools" — a term that came into play several years ago when WCPSS determined a need (to address unprecedented growth and limited financial resources) to open all new schools on a year-round calendar to maximize capacity and be more cost-efficient. Btw, Great Schools in Wake is an off-shoot of WakeUp Wake County.

WEP roundtable summary

If you were unable to attend last week’s roundtable discussion (sponsored by Wake Education Partnership) about the ‘controlled choice’ assignment plan being formulated by education consultant Michael Alves, you’ll find a detailed summary on Neil Reimann’s site.

2010 NC School Report Cards

The 2010 North Carolina School Report Cards are now online and feature the state’s largest collection of information about student performance and attendance, class size, school safety, teacher quality and classroom technology at the state, district and school levels. On the WakeEd blog, WCPSS test scores are compared to Charlotte Mecklenberg’s schools.

Boycott Variety Wholesalers

The Democratic Party is encouraging people to boycott Variety Wholesalers (Roses, Maxway, Super Dollar, Value Mart and Super 10 Stores). The company’s owner, Art Pope, contributed significantly to the campaigns of BOE members Debra Goldman, John Tedesco, Chris Malone and Deborah Prickett last year. Read more here. In addition, there were two LTEs about Pope’s political donations: In hock to Pope and Ill-conceived boycott. As one commenter noted, "…when the wealthy and powerful can legally purchase elections: our democracy suffers."

BOE meetings w/o Nov. 1

Attached is a list of BOE meetings scheduled for Nov. 1 through Nov. 5, fyi.

In the News

Former educators announce support of Wake candidate (Jack Nichols)

Plans to shut Harding sparks new uproar (Charlotte-Mecklenberg)

LTEs

Life via schools

Thanks for staying engaged with WCPSS.

See related:

Wake County Public Schools

CoalitionofConcernedCitizensforAfricanAmericanChildren] Updates

Updates

Hi! I hope you’re enjoying this beautiful weather!  Here is the weekend BOE news.

County Commissioners’ debate

The candidates for Wake County Commissioners met for a debate in Cary on Wednesday night. This story from the Cary Citizen provides a summary of the questions and answers.

Goodmon’s advice to BOE

At the Great Schools in Wake forum last weekend, Jim Goodmon had some pointed criticism of the BOE and the manner in which they have conducted their business thus far. Steve Ford elaborates in his editorial, Exec to school board: Shape up.

District 7 BAC meeting

Deborah Prickett will host her BAC meeting on Mon., Oct. 25, at Morrisville Elementary School, 1519 Morrisville Parkway, Morrisville, from 6-7:30PM. The agenda will include: Board of Education update, Q and A, Deborah Prickett, WCPSS Board Member, District 7; Student Assignment Updates, Tracey Noble, District 7 Representative, Student Assignment Committee; Community Relations Update, Cheryl Ellington, District 7 Representative, Community Relations Committee, and District 7

See related:

Wake County Public Schools

Wake County Commissioners Debate Forum

 

“Wake County Commissioners Debate Forum”

WHEN: September 30, 2010

WHERE: Martin Street Baptist Church

1001 East Martin Street

Johnson Building

Raleigh, NC 27610

TIME: 6:00-8:00 p.m..

WHO: Parents, concerned citizens, educators and other interested persons who would like to learn more about of the candidates for county commissioners and how their decisions will impact our children’s education

WHAT: Wake County Commissioners Debate Forum will focus on:

*Equal Education

* WCPSS Reassignment Plan

*Community Zones

*Equity

*Budget

Please register at www.cccaac.com or call (919) 231-9057 for additional information.

The CCCAAC believes all children should receive a quality education that will give them the skills necessary to become productive citizens in today’s society

__._,_.___

Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic

Messages in this topic (1)

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Wake County Public Schools

Wake commissioner Harold Webb resigns – News & Observer

Harold Webb has resigned his seat on the Wake County Board of Commissioners, leaving the county Democratic party the chance to appoint a successor to serve until Webb’s term expires in 2012.

Webb, 85, had served on the board since 2003, but had a stroke last year that limited his ability to express himself. (Read more)

AME Zion Church to Hold Solemn Assembly & Prayer Vigil in support of NAACP’s Position on Wake County Schools

Immediate Release

7 July 2010

Contact:     Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, Pres., 919-394-8137

                  Mrs. Amina J. Turner, Exec Dir, 919-682-4700

                  Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Spearman, Religious Affairs Chair, 704-267-9017

                  Rev. Anthony J. Davis, AME Zion Church, 919-225-1660

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHO:              AME ZION CHURCH BISHOP RICHARD K. THOMPSON, PRESIDING PRELATE FOR THE EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA EPISCOPAL DISTRICT AND REV. DR. WILLIAM J. BARBER, II STATE NAACP PRESIDENT & NATIONAL NAACP BOARD MEMBER

WHAT:            AME ZION CHURCH TO HOLD SOLEMN ASSEMBLY & PRAYER VIGIL IN SUPPORT OF NAACP’S ANTI-RESEGREGATION AND PRO-DIVERSITY AND SCHOOL EXCELLENCE FOR WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

WHERE:           SAINT MARK AME ZION CHURCH

                        531 SOUTH ROXBORO STREET

                        DURHAM, NC

WHEN:         THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2010 at 7:00 PM

As the State NAACP upholds its first point of the HK on J 14-Point People’s Agenda (www.hkonj.com), “All Children Need High Quality, Well-Funded, Diverse Schools” it continues to receive support from the AME Zion Church. Bishop Richard K. Thompson, Presiding Prelate of the Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District, which encompasses 400 churches from Durham to Manteo, and has a collective membership of over 40,000 members announced that they will hold a Solemn Assembly and Prayer Vigil on Thursday, July 8 at St. Mark AME Zion Church in Durham beginning at 7:00pm.

At a press conference led by the State NAACP yesterday, other representatives of the faith community confirmed their support for NAACP’s anti-resegregation and pro-diversity and school excellence position for Wake County Schools and all schools throughout the state.  Again in a statement to the press, the State NAACP reiterated its seven principles that constitute high quality and excellence in education:

1. Stop Resegregation;
2. Equity in Funding For All Schools;
3. High Quality Teachers and Smaller Classrooms;
4. Focus on Math, Science, Reading and History;
5. Parental / Community Involvement;
6. Address Unjust and Disproportionate Suspensions
7. Reduce Dropout Rates and Increase Graduation Rates

In today’s press statement released by the AME Zion Church, Bishop Thompson stated: “We can no longer sit in our sanctuaries silent while it is evident that recent activities are turning back the hands of time…I know this is a very sensitive issue, and there are some who believe that there are other things we should do to help strengthen our schools. I couldn’t agree more.  That is why we are already active participants in the village but there is so much more that needs to be done. We can begin by embracing the NAACP’s seven principles for building strong schools.  However, this is not an either or proposition. Segregation was wrong then, and it’s wrong now.”  Plans are underway to engage the AME Zion national church convention during NAACP’s July 20^th mass protest.

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II will be the keynote speaker at the assembly.  “We welcome the support of this august body from the faith community with strong historical ties to the civil rights movement and our nation’s notable freedom fighters, such as Frederick Douglass.  We honor the AME Zion Church’s support and vigilance on this issue and look forward to their participation in our Mass Mobilization and March on July 20^th for school diversity and school excellence.”

Organizations and parent, student and civic groups may sign on in support of the July 20^th Mass Demonstration and March for socio-economic diversity and school excellence by sending your organization’s name and contact data by e-mail to diversityandexcellence@gmail.com.

SEE BELOW & ATTACHED NEWS RELEASE FROM AME ZION CHURCH

Contact: Rev. Anthony J. Davis Phone: 919-225-1660 e-mail: tdavis27713@yahoo.com

· For Immediate Release, July 7, 2010

Press Release

A.M.E. Zion Church Bishop Calls Entire Episcopal Area To Action In The Wake County School Re-Segregation Debate With a Solemn Assembly and Prayer Vigil!

Bishop Richard K. Thompson, Presiding Prelate of The Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District of The A.M.E. Zion Church, has called the entire Episcopal area to a solemn assembly and prayer vigil in response to the Wake County School re-segregation debate, and as they prepare for the upcoming mass protest scheduled for July 20th. The assembly and prayer vigil will be held on Thursday July 8^th, at The Saint Mark A.M.E. Zion Church, 531 South Roxboro Street, Durham beginning at 7:00 pm. The Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Zion Church with its 400 churches from Durham to Manteo, and its collective membership of over 40,000 members has pledged its support to Dr. William Barber, state branch president of The NAACP, who is the special guest speaker for the assembly. Additionally, Bishop Thompson and the church is strongly opposed to any policies that will lead to segregated, high-poverty, racially identifiable public schools in Wake County or any other school district in the state. Bishop Thompson in a recent press conference said; “We can no longer sit in our sanctuaries silent while it is evident that recent activities are turning back the hands of time. This cannot happen, and will not happen! We will be the voices for those who cannot speak for themselves!” Bishop Thompson also said; “I know this is a very sensitive issue, and there are some who believe that there are other things we should do to help strengthen our schools. I couldn’t agree more. That is why we are already active participants in the village but there is so much more that needs to be done. We can begin by embracing the NAACP’s seven principles for building strong schools. However, this is not an either or proposition. Segregation was wrong then, and it’s wrong now.” Over the next few weeks, Thompson will mobilize the church’s clergy, laity, and members of their respective local communities. Additionally, there are plans to engage the national church during the July 20^th mass protest. The Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District headquarters is located in the Capital City and will host the highly publicized Connectional Council meeting and Quadrennial Convention on Christian Education which will be held in Raleigh later this month. This meeting will be the second largest convention scheduled for the city this year. For Further information please call Rev. Anthony J. Davis at (919) 225-1660.

See related:

Wake County Public Schools

The Truth About H6 – Purchase Of Land in Rolesville NC For A New High School. Voting To Take Place On July 6.

THE TRUTH ABOUT H6

Stan Norwalk, Wake County Commissioner H (919) 363-4685 

At the first reading regarding the purchase of land in Rolesville for a new high-school, several speakers suggested we keep politics out of the site selection process, i.e. out of the Forest Ridge site.  But consider the "road" to Rolesville. 2008 – Republicans in the NCGA introduce bills that would dilute the voting power of inner city residents for the BOE. Of course, that had nothing to do about politics!! 2009 – Setting a new precedent the Republican Party takes an active role in supporting the new majority on the BOE. Of course, that had nothing to do about politics!! Nov. 2009 Art Pope sends Margiotta  a  congratulatory email and thanks him for using Pope’s suggested strategy  in the election campaign .  Of course that had nothing to do with politics !! The major donors to the party include Art Pope and Bob Luddy, both of whom promote the end of public education. Based on selective and misleading data, Ron Margiotta, Kent Misegades (Luddy’s headmaster for his private school) publish a white paper promoting the success of re-segregated public schools in Charlotte-Mecklenbu rg. CMS was offered as the model for WCPSS. Of course that was not politics!! Luddy is building a chain of private schools ( Thales Academy ) and is an advocate for the public paying for his schools through vouchers. Ron Margiotta sits on Thales Academy ’s board. Of course!! That has nothing to do with politics!! Upon taking office the new majority on the BOE began spending tens-of-thousands of dollars on a stream of ideological compatible lawyers. They used a highly dubious cover story of an audit that would show the way to save legal fees. Surprise! The audit proved to be a dud..easily seen from day #1. Of course, that’s not politics!! The new majority, counter to staffs advice, initiates a poll to affirm their view of year-round schools. When the results were counter to their views, they ignored the costly poll and went ahead with eliminating some YRS…coincidently schools where their supporters had been most vocal and active. Along the way they committed hundreds of millions of school construction bond capacity. Never was a plan, a financial analysis or a strategy mentioned…of course! That’s not politics!. The new majority on the BOE made “diversity” a dirty word within WCPSS. Chair of the Assignment Committee John Tedesco claims the previous diversity policy was counter to Brown vs. the Board of Education. But that’s not politics!! The new board majority chooses to be the only school system in NC that is not a member of the NC School Board Association. Their cover story is that they are saving $40,000. Closer to the truth is that the national Council of Urban School Boards (CUBE) supports diversity and opposes vouchers…but of course that’s not politics!! Out of meanness and spite Margiotta and Tedesco propose to change the name of Enloe High School – home base for many protestors. Obviously that has nothing to do with politics!! The new board majority has abandoned a data-driven process for site selection; denied relief to the worst over-crowding in the County, i.e. Wakefield. Wakefield is in a BOE minority nember’s district; and selected a site (Rolesville) in a district represented by one of the majority…but of course!! That’s not politics!!!  The new board majority , with only skimpy explanation,  rejected the findings of a non-partisan task force of stakeholders that the original (Forest Ridge) site was the best of several investigated…but of course!! That’s not politics! Denying Rolesville as the site for H6 high school is NOT  only  about locating a school two miles outside the growth target area. It is NOT  only about building a 2200 seat high-school in a town with 212 high-school age kids.  Its NOT just about the low population density in the area and the excessive busing that will be required. It IS about stopping the death of WCPSS by a “thousand cuts”. If the line in the sand is not drawn here, future cuts will be harder and harder to stop.   The H6 vote is the first opportunity for the Board of Commissioners to take action to stop the madness, the meanness and the eventual death of diversified public education in Wake County. The vote on the siting of H6 will be on Tuesday, July 6th in the 7th floor board room of the courthouse. You can email the County Commissioners at commissioners@ co.wake.nc. us

See related:

Wake County Public Schools

The truth about H6 – Wake County Public School System

At the first reading regarding the purchase of land in Rolesville for a new high-school, several speakers suggested we keep politics out of the site selection process, i.e. out of the Forest Ridge site. But consider the "road" to Rolesville.

• 2008 – Republicans in the NCGA introduce bills that would dilute the voting power of inner city residents for the BOE. Of course, that had nothing to do about politics!!
• 2009 – Setting a new precedent the Republican Party takes an active role in supporting the new majority on the BOE. Of course, that had nothing to do about politics!!
• Nov. 2009 Art Pope sends Margiotta  a congratulatory email and thanks him for using Pope’s suggested strategy in the election campaign . Of course that had nothing to do with politics !!
• The major donors to the party include Art Pope and Bob Luddy, both of whom promote the end of public education.
• Based on selective and misleading data, Ron Margiotta, Kent Misegades (Luddy’s headmaster for his private school) publish a white paper promoting the success of re-segregated public schools in Charlotte-Mecklenbu rg. CMS was offered as the model for WCPSS. Of course that was not politics!!
• Luddy is building a chain of private schools ( Thales Academy ) and is an advocate for the public paying for his schools through vouchers. Ron Margiotta sits on Thales Academy ’s board. Of course!! That has nothing to do with politics!!
• Upon taking office the new majority on the BOE began spending tens-of-thousands of dollars on a stream of ideological compatible lawyers. They used a highly dubious cover story of an audit that would show the way to save legal fees. Surprise! The audit proved to be a dud..easily seen from day #1. Of course, that’s not politics!!
• The new majority, counter to staffs advice, initiates a poll to affirm their view of year-round schools. When the results were counter to their views, they ignored the costly poll and went ahead with eliminating some YRS…coincidently schools where their supporters had been most vocal and active. Along the way they committed hundreds of millions of school construction bond capacity. Never was a plan, a financial analysis or a strategy mentioned…of course! That’s not politics!.
• The new majority on the BOE made “diversity” a dirty word within WCPSS. Chair of the Assignment Committee John Tedesco claims the previous diversity policy was counter to Brown vs. the Board of Education. But that’s not politics!!
• The new board majority chooses to be the only school system in NC that is not a member of the NC School Board Association. Their cover story is that they are saving $40,000. Closer to the truth is that the national Council of Urban School Boards (CUBE) supports diversity and opposes vouchers…but of course that’s not politics!!
• Out of meanness and spite Margiotta and Tedesco propose to change the name of Enloe High School – home base for many protestors. Obviously that has nothing to do with politics!!
• The new board majority has abandoned a data-driven process for site selection; denied relief to the worst over-crowding in the County, i.e. Wakefield. Wakefield is in a BOE minority nember’s district; and selected a site (Rolesville) in a district represented by one of the majority…but of course!! That’s not politics!!!
• The new board majority , with only skimpy explanation,  rejected the findings of a non-partisan task force of stakeholders that the original (Forest Ridge) site was the best of several investigated…but of course!! That’s not politics!!

Denying Rolesville as the site for H6 high school is NOT only about locating a school two miles outside the growth target area. It is NOT only about building a 2200 seat high-school in a town with 212 high-school age kids. Its NOT just about the low population density in the area and the excessive busing that will be required.

It IS about stopping the death of WCPSS by a “thousand cuts”. If the line in the sand is not drawn here, future cuts will be harder and harder to stop.

The H6 vote is the first opportunity for the Board of Commissioners to take action to stop the madness, the meanness and the eventual death of diversified public education in Wake County .

The vote on the siting of H6 will be on Tuesday, July 6th in the 7th floor board room of the courthouse. You can email the County Commissioners at commissioners@ co.wake.nc. us

Stan Norwalk

Wake County Commissioner

H (919) 363-4685

See related:

Wake County Public Schools