A real mess
Student discipline problems have parents worried here in Guilford County.
In Durham, it's the adults who can't get along.
Superintendent Ann Denlinger and school board member Jackie Wagstaff are having a heated feud over in the Bull City. Wagstaff recently was banned from Shepard Middle School by the school's principal, who said the board member was trying to stir up trouble on campus.
A group called Concerned Black Citizens is demanding that Shepard Middle Principal Julia Fairley be fired, claiming the principal is heavy-handed in dealing out punishment to black kids. Fairley, by the way, is black.
Wagstaff came to the school with a member of the group. Fairley said she saw the two questioning students and trying to recruit other parents for Concerned Black Citizens. That member, parent Minnie Brown, also was banned from Shepard Middle.
Superintendent Denlinger wrote a letter to Wagstaff supporting Fairley and blasting Wagstaff.
"This past Friday, however, your conduct at Shepard was so inappropriate and disruptive that I am compelled to respond and take a stand in support of our employees and students," Denlinger wrote.
But Wagstaff said she did nothing wront and said she doesn't apologize for being a hands-on advocate for parents. Wagstaff also said Denlinger has no authority to keep her away from the school.
"She has stepped out of her role as superintendent. Her whole letter is fraudulent and craziness and a defamation of power," Wagstaff said.
You can read about the whole zany mess in today's Durham Herald-Sun.
Comments (8)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
Bruce,
Upon reading the Herald-Sun, this is an interesting and confusing story. Would love to know how it turns out. If indeed the School Board member is over the Superintendent who is over the Principal, how could the School Board member have been trespassing on school property?
Sounds like a twist in the chain of command and who is in charge?
Should make a great story when all the true fact some out.
Please keep up posted.
Posted on January 26, 2005 12:19 AM
Barbara Ann,
Yeah, that's unclear to me, too. Superintendents (and, indirectly, all school employees) work for the school board. But how much authority and access do individual school board members have? That's the question.
In order to punish the superintendent, Wagstaff would need the support of the majority of the board. And I get the sense that she is a loose cannon.
Posted on January 26, 2005 10:19 AM
So, now the news is from Durham. Isn't there anything to report and discuss in Guilford County? The GCS Board is warning the commissioners that they need more money, discipline is still a concern in schools, there's still a lottery on the heads of many of our students, and there's still a commissioner and a school board member with outstanding tax bills. I for one am tired of paying for the mistakes of others. The payment is in the form of worry, parental time spent away from my family at meetings, student time spent on excessively long bus rides, and tax dollars spent on unwanted pet projects of the superintendent and school board.
Posted on January 26, 2005 10:54 AM
Transplant,
There's plenty of news from here in Guilford County -- and that always will be our focus.
Just look in today's paper: We have a story on the school system's budget, a story on the National Smart Start Conference here in Greensboro and a story on last night's school redistricting meeting at Grimsley High. We also put some information on Guilford County and North Carolina in a national front-page story about Advanced Placement courses. And that's just today.
I just stumbled across this Durham story and thought The Chalkboard's readers might find it interesting. That's all.
Posted on January 26, 2005 4:07 PM
Dear Transplant and Bruce,
I did find the Durham story quite interesting and would like to know how this turns out.
I have been following education and school matters diligently now, as you know Bruce, for several years (since 1997). Guilford County (and some other NC counties too) have been known to mimic what goes on in neighboring NC counties. It is so important that we know what is happening in the rest of this state. (Ref. Recent editorial on, I believe it was Mechlinburg County, paying teachers much higher salaries to go in low performing, at risk schools compared to GCS attempting $7,500 bonus over 3 years - a pittance after taxes.) Also there were similar plans in place to the "Controlled Choice Lottery" plan but not exactly the same, unique lottery - others had TRUE CHOICE. It is so important to follow the "trends" so you may know what to expect. It also could set legal precedent.
Personally, I have been very pleased this past year on the coverage of local school issues. Of particular interest and worth framing was the New Year's edition with the photos of the past year's events and the kids in their "Free Speech" t-shirts - democracy at work. "Teach the Children Well." So proud of them.
One reminder though, Bruce, big meeting in High Point Monday evening that the HPE posted yesterday. This is for a dialogue regarding HP Schools. All three High Schools are in the High Point - "one happy district" now so many parents want to go to this important meeting. Can you please be sure to post the time and date in the N & R. Thank you.
Posted on January 27, 2005 11:18 AM
Dear Transplant and Bruce,
I did find the Durham story quite interesting and would like to know how this turns out.
I have been following education and school matters diligently now, as you know Bruce, for several years (since 1997). Guilford County (and some other NC counties too) have been known to mimic what goes on in neighboring NC counties. It is so important that we know what is happening in the rest of this state. (Ref. Recent editorial on, I believe it was Mechlinburg County, paying teachers much higher salaries to go in low performing, at risk schools compared to GCS attempting $7,500 bonus over 3 years - a pittance after taxes.) Also there were similar plans in place to the "Controlled Choice Lottery" plan but not exactly the same, unique lottery - others had TRUE CHOICE. It is so important to follow the "trends" so you may know what to expect. It also could set legal precedent.
Personally, I have been very pleased this past year on the coverage of local school issues. Of particular interest and worth framing was the New Year's edition with the photos of the past year's events and the kids in their "Free Speech" t-shirts - democracy at work. "Teach the Children Well." So proud of them.
One reminder though, Bruce, big meeting in High Point Monday evening that the HPE posted yesterday. This is for a dialogue regarding HP Schools. All three High Schools are in the High Point - "one happy district" now so many parents want to go to this important meeting. Can you please be sure to post the time and date in the N & R. Thank you.
Posted on January 27, 2005 11:32 AM
Barbara Ann,
I believe we are running a story Friday on the High Point forum and I will be covering it. I hope there will be a good turnout.
Maybe I'll see you there!
For those who don't know about the forum, it will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday at Roy B. Culler Senior Center, 600 N. Hamilton St. It is being hosted by the High Point Human Relations Commission. Audience members will get a chance to speak about their concerns and ask questions of school board members.
I haven't heard yet which school board members plan to attend.
For more information, contact organizer Al Heggins at 883-3124 or send an e-mail to her at al.heggins@ci.high-point.us
Posted on January 27, 2005 4:48 PM
Thank you, Jennifer.
I will definitely be there and a lot of friends are coming too.
It should be a very informative evening and one that has been needed for quite some time.
Barbara Ann
Posted on January 27, 2005 6:38 PM