The three, incumbent Horace Tart and challengers Cathy Truitt and John Tedesco, appeared on a forum sponsored by the Wake Education Partnership and held at Wake Technical College.
Two other candidates who filed for the board seat, Chris Augustine and Carlene Lucas, have since announced they would not wage campaigns, although their names will appear on the ballot.
Tart, cited multiple accomplishments he has seen the board of education achieve in his four years in office, pointing out major upgrades and improved test results especially at two Garner area schools, North Garner Middle and Smith Elementary.
He said he believes the hard work he did growing up on a farm, plus his college experience and five years teaching before finally becoming a builder and developer, have qualified him to be valuable in many aspects of planning and implementing improvements in Wake schools.
Cathy Truitt, now an education consultant on the national level, said she has spent 39 years in the education field, as teacher, principal, administrator and finally consultant.
Throughout her replies to questions about the school system and how it is run, she urged voters not to elect a politician to the school board, and she emphasized that a lifelong educator would be better qualified to make improvements in the schools.
John Tedesco, vice-president of the Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization, devoted to helping vulnerable children, said he grew up in a poor area outside of Pittsburg and knows how it feels to be a “free lunch” student. He said after his family moved to North Carolina, his mother died and he, the eldest child, had responsibility for ushering younger siblings through the Garner area schools.
He sees his life experiences, as well as his present work, as good preparation for service on the board of education.
During the course of the question-answer forum Tedesco pointed out that all of those running are Republicans. He said he knew of one Democrat who was considering running but, after talking to him, opted not to run, but to support him.
Tedesco said, “I’m the only one working for consensus. We’ve got to get the bickering out of it.” He said the school board “should avoid mandates because they erode relationships with families. Take politics out of the school board,” he said.
Tart said the Garner area schools have had more than their share of free and reduced lunch children in recent years and have had more problems, in general, than others within District 2. The district includes Fuquay-Varina, Willow Springs and a section of southeast Raleigh. But he pointed to great strides that have been made in several Garner area schools.
He pointed to North Garner Middle School which, for a time, he said, was a place parents wanted to avoid. He said the school has been converted to a year-round schedule and now has a “wonderful” principal. He said the school has become one parents are seeking for their children.
He also cited Smith Elementary which has undergone a major renovation and enlargement, has been converted to an International Baccalaureate Magnet School, and is now drawing applications rather than dealing with parents who want their children moved out.
Garner High School, now a magnet school, has also seen scores improve in all areas within the past year, Tart said. He said the percentage of students from low income families now stands at 35 percent.
In the Fuquay-Varina area of the district, Tart said two elementary schools have been completed within the pat two years, Banks Road Elementary and Herbert Akins Elementary. He said parents in the area now have options for year-round or traditional schedule schools.
Tart also took the opportunity to promote a pet project. He wants the school system to create a career technical education high school to serve the needs of students who prefer to learn a craft or trade to following a traditional college program. He believes such a school would go a long way toward reducing the number of high school drop outs Wake County currently experiences.
In summary Ms. Truitt said, “We know what the issues are. We’ve got to develop answers. We need input from parents and teachers. We need to collect data to inform what we do. What is most important is what goes on behind classroom doors.”
She urged “honest communication” with commissioners, the building of respect that is needed to work together.
Tart said, “We have 13 government entities in Wake County (12 municipalities and Wake County). All want growth. But sometimes they don’t take into consideration that good schools are vital to continued quality growth. We have to stand our ground (with the commissioners),” he said. “Sometimes it takes public opinion . . .” to accomplish what is needed.”
A run-off election for school board seats will be held Oct. 6.
Post a Comment
