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The state's largest school system has a new acting manager after the Wake County School Board placed Del Burns on adminstrative leave Tuesday night.
Chief Academic Officer Donna Hargens will fill the void until an interim or permanent superintendent can be named.
Today parents who are active in education issues weighed in on the decision to cut ties with Burns before his June 30th resignation.
"It's really sad Dr. Burns put the board in this position and decided to make this dramatic move," said Sarah Redpath with Wake Schools Community Alliance.
Redpath is referring to Burns media interviews when he said, "I can no longer be a pawn in political gamesmanship."
Burns said he could not in good conscience enact new policies at the board's direction.
"I can understand why if you had a professional who had come out so publicly disagreeing with the direction you were taking, how that would be difficult to continue working with that person," said Redpath.
However, Patty Williams of Great Schools in Wake said to dismiss him in that way was a loss for everyone.
"I think it's another demonstration of the board's willingness to just bulldoze through the issues instead of stopping, reflecting and understanding." Williams continued, "Del Burns brought more than 30 years of experience to our teachers, students and communiity. He's a great leader."
Now the board will have to step up its search for a new superintendent.
In the meantime, the groups these women are part of want their ideas about public education discussed among citizens.
For instance, Great Schools in Wake is hosting a forum at N.C. State University's McKimmon Center focused on a quality education for every child. The event Saturday, March 20 will run from 9 a.m. into the afternoon.
Registration opens at 8 a.m.
Just a few of the speakers include Dr. Gerald Grant the author of "Hope & Despair in the American City: Why There Are No Bad Schools in Raleigh," Richard Kahlenberg, Century Foundation Senior Fellow, and Caroline Massengill the past president of Magnet Schools of America.
Wake Schools Community Alliance helped elect the four most recent board members to form a new conservative majority with Chairman Margiotta.
This group will resume monthly "brown bag" meetings to listen and talk about the school system. Their next meeting is Wednesday, March 24th at 7 p.m. in the K & S Cafeteria at Raleigh's Tower Shopping Center.
Next month the same group will host a Community Information Panel but the details are still being worked out.
Comments
By L humphrey on 03/13 09:01 AM
I can just say I hope this board gets out and insist the Supr.gets out and looks allover each class in WCPSS and then look at what is going on and let it be non-announced.It starts at the top,there are principles that need to go more then anyone.What is done with the Surveys that are sent for teachers,seems not read or a deaf ear.AS I said all students are taught the same.Main thing is disapline.Look at the security we are paying for.Parents need to support the teachers and not say, "oh not my child"
By Greg Bell on 03/12 11:17 PM
Thank god that the extreme politics of the ultra-left have been booted out of office. The tax-paying citizens of wake county deserve a choice in where they send their children. I pay over $5000 in property taxes...that gives me the right to choose where I send my children to school. People who pay little or no property taxes should count their lucky stars that they have such wonderful options.
By L humphrey on 03/11 06:22 PM
Sorry you are not reading,I just said in one of my responce we did,nt need the change as in DC.Thank You stay informed before you respond.You go Vol. in the schools when you are retired in Ed.See what is going on and informed.get a life.I have reired with 30 years and see what is going on.
By Hymie on 03/11 03:41 PM
Lemme get this straight Hump....CHANGE = GOOD, when it's right wing racist hate, but boy oh boy, if that change is the one in WASHINGTON from that Black fellow we elected, it's bad...HYPOCRITICAL as usual from your narrow minded side of bigots.
By L humphrey on 03/10 11:34 PM
Please give them a chance before you judge.If you have childen may be of your best interest.Sometimes we need a change not like this new President though.Land forbid,that is what this board is trying to do before it gets like the Fed.Gov.I ask again, give them a chance.
By wkph on 03/10 11:00 PM
Geeeezzzz........Blame it on Burns again. Anybody coming on board will have to be a yes man to this board. It will be their way or the highway. The new super will not have his own identity because he will be just an extension of the board. This board and any super will be out of sync because with the board it is extreme politics. The super should be for the good of the children and the Wake school system. Unfortunately, the board will not allow this.
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