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Dozens of people rallied in support of Wake County School’s diversity policy Friday night.
That comes just days before a crucial run-off election that could change balance of the school board.
Three reform candidates who advocate neighborhood schools won seats on the board in last month's election, but candidate John Tedesco failed to get a majority of the vote in his district.
Now, Tedesco is campaigning hard as the November 3rd run off election approaches in his district.
And it’s the changing composition of the Wake County School Board that has organizations like the NAACP worried.
As a result, several hundred people turned out to attend the open meeting at Raleigh’s Martin Street Baptist Church.
They fear the incoming school board will create policies that will turn back the clock.
“It is a nightmare for John Tedesco and the rest of his anti-diversity slate to try and hijack the school board to move away from this noble goal,” said Rev. William Barber the president of the N.C. NAACP.
The NAACP believes neighborhood schools will mean a return to segregation. But earlier this week, Tedesco said it’s not about that.
“We’re aware of what the opposition groups say, explained Tedesco. “Some see this as a last attempt to hold on to a failed policy.”
But a policy shift concerns people like Rod Hughes Oliver. He has two children in Wake County magnet schools and he worries about a changed school board.
“I’m very fearful,” he said. “I think the school board that’s now there has made it clear they want change; they want to move toward a community school system, which to us mean more segregation.”
But the NAACP says it won’t allow wake schools to become segregated again.
“We are prepared to litigate,” said Rev. Barber. “The NAACP is ready for a fresh battle to demand a constitutional education.”
But the NAACP won’t be the only organization watching the Wake County School Board.
“As a county commissioner I want to be flexible and allow the school board to do its job,” said Lindy Brown, the vice chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners. “I’m not here to micromanage another elective body, however I want them to understand the citizens of Wake County will hold them accountable for any changes that may dismantle the current school policy,” Brown said.
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By Richard on 11/01 09:10 PM
@ronnie - While I mostly agree with your opinion I think you may have lost the momentum of making your point with the horrendous grammar and spelling. If you are going to comment on intelligence you may want to make certain to spell the word correctly.
By ronnie on 11/01 07:24 PM
After we take are schools back we should stop afferative action. So, people of all races can get a job.. Not by the color of thier skin, but by there intelagents and skills.
By Conservative on 10/31 11:20 PM
tbone85, do you call only 54% of African-American males graduating high school a fact of a stellar and outstanding school system. I know you won't let facts get in the way of your opinion.
By Tbone85 on 10/31 11:22 AM
Wake County is one of the elite large school districts in terms of quality schools. Every single large district that has adopted the pure neighborhood school models has a failed, broken district. These islands of excellence in seas of failure have done nothing to promote the economies of those economies. Ours schools are the envy of others because the Wake plan has worked pure and simple. Businesses and individuals are moving here because the schools work across the board in a way. Can't say I agree with the NAACP all that often, but it's senseless to try and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. All this philosophical puffery doesn't amount to a hill of beans. The bottom line is that what we're doing in WCPSS is working. What these politicians are suggesting has failed in every large district setting. We will fight beyond the end before we allow these people to destroy our high function schools. Not one of them will take responsibility when our schools look like the other failed large districts and we're looking at a multi-decade fix. We will hold them accountable now.
By Richard on 10/31 08:20 AM
This irks me to no end! The county and the schools aren't creating segregation, the neighborhoods and the people that fill them do. As far as I can tell, the NAACP has done nothing to actually improve integration. In my opinion, their actions do more to propagate segregation than reduce it and this is no exception. What I would like to see is the NAACP work towards improving the quality of life and reduce the stereotype of the populous they represent. Forcing their clientèle into distant schools is like Obama giving banks and car makers "bailout" money without educating and establishing guidelines to prevent it from happening again. In short, the NAACP isn't helping anything. I live in a diverse North Raleigh neighborhood and welcome all that choose to respect their property and neighbors. If the NAACP has a problem with where individuals go to school then perhaps they need to address the reasons why those same individuals segregate themselves by the location of the homes they purchase. I am happy to say that I do not know of one single person that has a problem with a person of color because of that color. It's time to stop saying feel sorry for us because our distant relatives were forced into slavery. That was then and that time has passed. Stop living in the past and improve the now.
By Rebecca on 10/31 05:53 AM
Neighborhood schools just make good sense! Sure there will be proplems...(there are problems NOW!), but they can be solved by the individual communities. And who is the NAACP to "tolerate" anything???? Last time I looked, they are NOT a governing body...and I , for one, do not think they even speak for the majority of the people they say they represent! YES...I believe in equality! I want good and safe (sad that the word safe has to be interjected) schools for all the children in NC. YES...bring back neighborhood schools..those that need extra help..give it to them! With the money that is saved in busing, much can be done to help those that need an extra hand! Seems to me, the NAACP should become color blind. What a racist/hate group!
By Joseph on 10/31 01:36 AM
My kids spend an hour on the bus in the morning and an hour in the afternoon and kids with great scores are routinely transferred around to improve the overall scores at underperforming schools. Schools were Wake does nothing to improve the schools EXCEPT reassign some kids that Score at the top of the Pack. This solves nothing and the Kids are on buses without seatbelts and sometimes out-of-control kids (something else Wake won't touch) for 10 hours a week. That adds up and takes away from their lives. It is the easiest way to say all the schools are passing, but it's just done with Gas, Exhaust, and mandatory Government imposition. It lacks teaching, discipline, standards and morals.
By Duncan on 10/31 01:31 AM
Please look into the reality of John Tedesco yourself. I don't know who these other bloggers are but I can say they don't sound real to me. Please look at www.4wakekids.org. You'll see that John Tedesco is one of the most real, sincere and empathetic PEOPLE you've ever encountered. He has worked for Big Brothers Big Sisters and for a long time committed his time to at-risk kids. HE was an at-risk kid, and look at where he has come. You politicians, you maneuverers, you cannot take this away from him - he is real, he has brought himself up from his bootstraps. Play your games. We still want John. He will fight for ALL our kids.
By Think+ve on 10/31 12:54 AM
Pretty interesting points said below..and very valid points. People can view it anyways they want and stir up political meaning into it ..just to get some limelight to self. Why just stop at segregation as an issue.. lets take it all the way to slavery. Come on guys, please grow up. Especially us African American. The more we whine, the more we prove to rest of the world we are fit for nothing better. Instead of complaining of neighbor schools.. just think about why the schools are rated like that and why you yourself dont like the schools and want a piece of schools on other side. Sense a problem? Yes, the school is an issue.. but the biggest issue is up bringing of kids at home. They spend hardly 7 hours in school and remaining time at home or related places. Even if one puts a nation best school right in middle of such neighborhood, it wont make a difference, unless parents take active participation. Do not blame the school or the school system or the county. We are to be blamed. Just think about this... What teacher would have interest and desire to pursue great teaching to kids, when they are mis-behaved. They don't becomes teachers for no good reason. Its not like.. oops I got pregnant. One of the solution I see to this mess, is more funds pumped to this neighborhood schools and extending the hours of the schools in these areas from 7 hours to 10 hours...which would include more than just academic 7 hours.. but include full meals service for all and extra curricular activities part the program. Run this for atleast 3 to 5 years and that would definitely turn around the surrounding neighborhoods. This will give parents adequate time to do their jobs and not rush in between. Not have to worry about after school care or baby sitting.. don't have to depend of public assistance for that. These kids are the future. It affect's everyone. Examples of this are already there in the neighborhood. ---- Now again, please stop this BS about racial stuff. You can easily see African American and other minorities people living in nicer neighborhoods and co-mingly with no regards to what they look like or do..etc. They got there ..not thru lotto. But by their own determination. Mr. Rev. Barber.. You have lot to do to cleanse yourself of your weird views and poisonous mind. Irrespective, Wake co. schools have been trying and researching various things to help "ALL". Unlike other counties or school districts around the country. So please give them a break and support and help them.
By confused on 10/31 12:09 AM
Someone please explain to me the objection to community schools. From the comments of Rev. Barber, he seems to indicate that segregated schools would be bad for African-Americans and minorities. Is it because he believes funding will decrease? Wake County Commissioners control the purse strings so it couldn't be that. Is he saying that minority teachers are not as qualified/smart or is he saying no white teacher would cross racial lines for a job at a non-white school? Crazy! Could it be Barber is worried about economic inequity? Federal funds would actually flow more freely to a school with a concentration of economically challenged students. Our Black children are being taught by outbursts like this that the white world is to be envied, sought after and legislated down to them if necessary. What happened to teaching our posterity to be proud of their heritage, unique talents and special skills and challenging them to excel and give back to society. It makes more sense to me to demand a community magnet school that keeps our kids closer to home and celebrates an abundance of color!
By Joe on 10/30 11:57 PM
No one cares what that racist organization thinks. School improvement should be the goal here not the petty racist actions of a third rate group. That Al Sharpton look alike should get a real job and stop pestering honest hard working people
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