Setting the Record Straight Before November 7th

Dear Fellow Citizens (and Friends) of Wake County,

We are just days away from November 7, when Wake County residents will head to the polls. As the controversy surrounding the bond referendum continues to escalate, misperceptions and distortions are running rampant. Though lack of time and space prohibit me from sharing with you all of my thoughts on this multi-faceted subject, I cannot rest easy until I at least set the record straight on several points. 

First of all, I have always made it a practice not to divulge how I vote, and not to tell others how they must vote. I trust that the citizens of Wake County are savvy enough to make up their own minds, based on the facts. The problem is, however, that selective fact sharing and/or the omission of pertinent facts have created an unfair playing field. 

Consider, for example, the decision by bond proponents to keep under lock and key the fact that over five hundred million dollars  of the bond money is specifically designated for forcing year-round school attendance, as laid out in the School Board's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The plan calls for 19 existing and 18 new elementary schools, plus 3 existing and 8 new middle schools to operate on a forced year-round calendar, and that's only part of the package. 

Regardless of how you feel about mandatory year-round schools, you should be aware of these plans. Without this piece of information, people are jumping to the conclusion that all of those who oppose the forcing of a year-round schedule are against building badly-needed new schools. That is absolutely not true. As a matter of fact, there are many anti-mandatory year-round folks who support the bond. Thousands of others who oppose the bond for the sole reason of the mandatory year-round plans would be some of the most ardent bond advocates if those plans were dropped. In other words, they support education and want to vote in favor of new construction and renovations.

Why can't they? Because they do not view the bond referendum as simply a vote about "numbers". Groups such as Friends of Wake County are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to convince voters that, and I quote, "a vote of 'yes' for the bond has very little to do with year-round schools." They insist that they are only about the business of raising money in the "most equitable, economical, and accountable way." If that is truly the case, then why have they joined others in alienating thousands and thousands of potential "yes" voters? Why haven't they been leading the charge to eliminate spending over half a million dollars on mandatory year-round schools? Why haven't they pushed for the exploration of other options (many have been offered) to handle Wake County's growth challenges, and still build the badly needed new schools?

While raising money for education is a noble cause for bond advocates to champion, HOW that money will be spent is, and should be, the focus of the voters. Parents, teachers, and other citizens can't just look at this bond from a money standpoint only. They have to form opinions based on the educational pros and cons, the impact on their families, employment repercussions, etc., etc. That's why the bond and forced year-round schooling can't be separated.

My logical mind cannot begin to fathom how bond advocates could expect any individual to support a venture that propagates the very object of their aversion! I can only assume that they are unable to comprehend the depth of passion and the research-based knowledge behind objections to the forcing of a non-traditional calendar. The notion by some that this is only about selfish desires for an extra 2-week summer beach vacation illustrates a shallow understanding that is sad at best. Folks - this issue goes DEEP - maybe I'll expound upon that at a later time. There are many things that I would urge, and have urged, folks to compromise on, but I cannot, and will not, encourage someone to betray their principles, sacrifice what they know is best for their child, and turn against everything that is near and dear to their heart. 

This letter is already much longer than I intended, and I apologize for that! I might try to send a follow-up to this email, with additional examples of misperceptions that need to be cleared up. In the meantime, I thank you for your time and attention to this matter. If you want to know more about how Wake citizens (not just parents) will be affected by our School Board's plans, I urge you to read this important fact sheet, as well as this letter with revealing quotes from a teacher and from a parent (with a later update from that parent here). Remember that you can go to www.soswake.com and read letters that I have posted as far back as last year, explaining in great length my thoughts and suggestions.

Research the facts, think long-range as well as short-term, and cast your vote on November 7!

May God's blessings be with you-