Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Del Burns resigns as Wake schools leader -- in protest
Wake Schools Superintendent Del Burns announced his resignation at the school board meeting today. It's effective June 30. He can't, in good conscience, continue to do what the school board majority is telling him to. Here's his statement.
More than 33 years ago my career as an educator began at Aldert Root Elementary School. And since that time, I've served in a number of positions: as an elementary and high school special education teacher; as an assistant principal and as an elementary principal in magnet schools; as the principal of two high schools; as associate superintendent, deputy superintendent, and now as superintendent-all in the Wake County Public School System.In each role, I have worked to the best of my ability for all children, supporting a strong school system, not just a system of schools.
I was proud that day in 1976 when I first became an employee. To this point I have always considered myself fortunate to be a part of the Wake County Public School System.
With that said, based upon personal and obligatory considerations, it is clear to me that I cannot, in all good conscience, continue to serve as superintendent.
Therefore, out of respect for the Board, out of respect for its direction and its decisions, I provide to the Chair written notice that effective June 30, 2010, I resign my position.
Update: WRAL has a report up: Chairman Margiotta hopes Burns didn't quit because of anything he/the majority did. Of course that's why he resigned, Anne McLaurin replies.
Comments (9)
Showing 1-9 of 9
They've already had several chances, Nat, in which they've managed to 1) alienate support, 2) demonstrate that they clearly are working in a reactionary manner with little, if any, clear thought with regard to the consequences of their policy changes, 3) break the Open Meetings law, 4) violate their own existing policies with regard to meeting procedure, 5) vote to waste $15 million, despite clear evidence from an assortment of legitimate experts that it will result in higher costs and students spending an additional 2 years in trailers and 6) caused the existing superintendent, who despite partisan anger to the contrary has been excellent in the role, to resign. Now they expect to be able to find a well qualified replacement willing to step into the morass they have created of gaffes, reactionary policy changes, a polarized electorate and a staff ready to mutiny from the folks that I've talked to. To be frank, the pool of qualified candidates for a job like that is small to begin with, and in the environment they've created they'd have better luck trying to hire someone to be a crash test dummy than to walk into the current mess. No one of any repute is going to come anywhere near it. Exactly how many more chances do they need? At this rate they'll have the whole system shut down by April.
like
dislike
I think it is great news that Del & Chuck stepped down. I am so glad they will both be out of the picture. Chuck was almost as worthless as Patti Head. I beleive the new board is on the right track!!! Congratulations to all of them & Keep up the good work. Charlie you are crazy..no one was an elitest but the previous board members & that is why they were voted out. They thought they knew what was better for families that the parents did. They refused to listen to the parents & are getting what they deserved. These people are paid by taxpayers and should listen. Had they listened we would not be where we are now. People are tired of TAXATION without REPRESENTATION. It is that simple. Why don't you give the new board a chance insted of being negative & running them down. Shame on all of you.
Reading the N&O story and ran into this at the end: "The commenting function on this story has been turned off because of abuse." You betcha. Like watching a football game instead of a civics lesson. We have entered an unenlightened time in our community now. So so distressing to see our collective good will splattered about like this. I try not to name call, but these are bully tactics. As concerned contemplative community builders, we need to pay attention and not fall into complacency. That is how this election occurred, and this is how we will go downhill if we do not stand for our convictions. I hope they are sued for the public meeting violations at the outset and we can restore the order we once had here.
Sad that the school system is being overrun by a bunch of elitist, classist, racist pricks
I cannot blame Burns. He would rather retire with his record reflecting Wake's good years. Not the crash and burning that is sure to come with this new board. I surely wouldn't want to work for those power-hungry arrogant bullies, either!
Hank Hurd is listed as the Interim Superintendent of Durham Public Schools -- maybe it might be time for the Durham School Board to do a little bit of romancin'.
I think Del Burns is brilliant but I think the majority party of the board has been exceedingly arrogant and drunk with power. I think someone finally found a way to put egg on their face. It's not a good thing but might be the only thing they'll listen to. The whole bathroom vote was beyond childish.
Good question. Ironic that a successful southern urban school system is being torn apart for being too good in its diversity policies. Go figure.
Latest in Citizen
-
Perdue: I'll be in charge on fracking, thank you
- May 21, 2012
-
Too scary? Efforts to curb N.C. voting in 2012 recall state's 1898 coup
The means are different but the object is the same: Leave the rich in control by preventing the masses from voting their interests.
- May 21, 2012
-
Frank Eaton, Mary-Ann Baldwin, Don Vaughan: Next N.C. Dems chair?
- May 10, 2012
- More »
More by Author
-
Shape-note singers gather in Raleigh for Sacred Harp Convention
The Sacred Harp scene doesn't have a new star. I only threw in every 10th note or so. But I sang 'em loud.
- Mar 7, 2012
-
Bumbling Democrats, diabolical Republicans
Let's face it. If you're a Republican in North Carolina right now, you may not want to gloat, but could your prospects be any sweeter?
- May 16, 2012
- More »
