Republican school board in N.C. backed by tea party abolishes integration policy

[marmar]

from the Washington Post:



Republican school board in N.C. backed by tea party abolishes integration policy

By Stephanie McCrummen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 12, 2011


RALEIGH, N.C. - The sprawling Wake County School District has long been a rarity. Some of its best, most diverse schools are in the poorest sections of this capital city. And its suburban schools, rather than being exclusive enclaves, include children whose parents cannot afford a house in the neighborhood.

But over the past year, a new majority-Republican school board backed by national tea party conservatives has set the district on a strikingly different course. Pledging to "say no to the social engineers!" it has abolished the policy behind one of the nation's most celebrated integration efforts.

And as the board moves toward a system in which students attend neighborhood schools, some members are embracing the provocative idea that concentrating poor children, who are usually minorities, in a few schools could have merits - logic that critics are blasting as a 21st-century case for segregation.

....(snip)....

So far, the board shows few signs of shifting course. Last month, it announced that Anthony J. Tata, former chief operating officer of the D.C. schools, will replace a superintendent who resigned to protest the new board's intentions. Tata, a retired general, names conservative commentator Glenn Beck and the Tea Party Patriots among his "likes" on his Facebook page. ..............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/11/AR2011011107063.html?sid=ST2011011202619

[PDJane]

1. This is a disgrace....or should be.

And it's a seriously regressive policy.

The US is on the fast track to becoming a third world country.

[ananda]

2. Sad

Tea Party motto: if it ain't broke, fix it till it is.

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. It's been a frustrating, angering and incredibly embarrassing thing to watch (we live in Raleigh)...

We are fortunate our kids are out of the system (both our girls went to those excellent, inner city, integrated schools - the bus ride was long, but their education was superb....). When the tea baggy school board members are on the Teevee (Tedescho, Margiatta), we have to turn it off - they are beyond disgusting.

[patricia92243]

4. I assume somebody will sue - this is not legal. n/t

[arbusto_baboso]

5. But, but, but..... the Tea Party isn't about racism, honest!

:sarcasm:

[Blue_Tires]

9. We're not EVER allowed to call them out on that...

:sarcasm:

[patrice]

6. K&R

[gateley]

7. Why don't they just put Negro Entrance signs on the outside and White Only over

the water fountains and be done with it?

Boiling frog and all.

I'm sorry for all you NC residents who must live with this. The level of frustration and helplessness must be overwhelming. :hug:

[kickysnana]

8. St Paul ended bussing for elementary and middle school

because of costs. Ending 30 years of Magnet Enrichment Schools for Community Schools. I guess we will see if there is something behind this beside a billion dollar deficit.

She also closed schools during a snowstorm for the first time in a hundred years. Why is this bad. Kids are sent of and dumped off by parents who go to work and lock up the house and the kids are left stranded with no place to get in or call. Many parents are not reachable at work nowadays. So the policy is the school stays open and those who can make it or show up stay the day.