Thursday, March 17, 2011

Wake County School Board VP Debra Goldman got caught with hand in cookie jar

Debra Goldman, the Wake County School Board Vice Chairwoman should be sent to detention for bringing more unwanted attention to a county school board that is already under fire both locally and nationally for its efforts to replace the diversity program with a neighborhood friendly school assignment program. According to an article in The News & Observer titled “Tata to look into transfer: Girl’s mother is on school board,” Debra Goldman secretly conducted a mid-year transfer of her daughter from Martin Middle School (a Wake magnet in West Raleigh) to Davis Drive Middle School. Davis Drive School is highly regarded, but it is not Goldman’s base assignment… however, that point is apparently irrelevant to Ms. Goldman. Not only that, but the school system took the extra step of re-routing the bus so that it stops directly in front of Goldman’s house on its way to and from Davis Drive Middle School.

Goldman’s daughter was secretly transferred in January 2011, with approval by the interim Superintendent Donna Hargens. At the time of the transfer, Ms. Goldman and interim Superintendent Hargens made no attempt to make a disclosure to the public. It was only after the media discovered the move and reported about it that Ms. Goldman acknowledged the move with a response. Goldman defended her actions, according to the newspaper article, by stating that she utilized a seldom used administrative policy to justify the transfer. That policy was never defined or explained in the article.

In an attempt to show integrity, she sent an e-mail to current Wake County School Superintendent Tony Tata, asking him to look into her transfer. This is hardly a move that can be construed to be ethical, as Goldman was integral in voting for Tata to be hired for the position he holds as superintendent. And from the sparse statements made by Mr. Tata so far, it is obvious that his findings will support the transfer. For example, he stated that Ms. Goldman’s daughter’s welfare was his chief concern. Specifically, Mr. Tata said, “I want to make sure that she is protected and in a place where she feels safe.” In other words, Mr. Tata is implying that for some reason or another Ms. Goldman’s daughter does not feel safe in Martin Middle School. Notice how he evades the real reason that Ms. Goldman is seeking the transfer… she wants her daughter enrolled in a school with the best educational reputation and program. If we are to believe that the daughter of a school board vice chairwoman has reason to feel unprotected and insecure at Martin Middle School, then how must the children of parents without ties to the County School Board feel when it comes to their safety and security at the school.

Mr. Tata then stated, “She deserves to be at a good school with great teachers.” In other words, Ms. Goldman’s daughter deserves to be at a good school with great teachers because her mother is the Vice Chairperson of the Wake County School Board. The other students at Martin Middle School don’t deserve to be at a good school with great teachers. And, Mr. Tata implied, with his remark, that Martin Middle School is not a good school and that its teachers are not great.

Now the people are supposed to be satisfied because Mr. Tata stated that he would look into the cases of the 15 students who have received administrative transfers, which are based on oral requests. How convenient that the reasons for their transfers are not in writing. The reason for that is so that there can be no accountability. The problem is not whether policies are followed. The problem lies within the policies themselves… policies which favor students with parents who have connections with the administration… policies that grant special treatment for those students, such as bus stops at their front door.

It is no wonder that the school system, like other agencies in the state are having budget problems. Policies that are in place, such as those governing administrative transfers, need to be abolished. All students should receive the same treatment and the same opportunities, the same quality of education and instructors, and the same sense of security.

In this particular instance, Superintendent Tony Tata needs to scrutinize the fairness of the schools policies, and not whether or not unfair school policies are followed.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

The transfer of schools itself doesn't really bother me -- there MAY be legitimate reasons (for the child -- bullying, for example) for the transfer.

What concerns me is that those that ask for a transfer VERBALLY are apparently given transportation, while those who request a transfer in writing are not. What kind of policy is that?

Nifong Supporter said...


Anonymous said...
"The transfer of schools itself doesn't really bother me -- there MAY be legitimate reasons (for the child -- bullying, for example) for the transfer.

What concerns me is that those that ask for a transfer VERBALLY are apparently given transportation, while those who request a transfer in writing are not. What kind of policy is that?"


You are exactly right. Requests made orally can not be investigated. The oral requests are set aside for friends and relatives of those in the administration who make the final decisions. As an extra perk these people have the bus stop in front of them homes. This is absurd, unjust, and a waste of taxpayer money. The school policy gives privileges to friends and relatives of the administration and school board members. The policy is corrupt, and Debra Goldman is taking advantage of that corrupt policy to benefit her daughter and give her privileges that other students and families do not enjoy.

Mr. Tata needs to rescind the policy regarding oral transfers. Can we agree on that?

guiowen said...

Something strange is happening, Sidney. I find myself agreeing with you again.

Anonymous said...

You all live in a dream world, this has been going on for years. I sent three kids through the Wake County School System and the under the counter deals parents got for their children were eye opening. From the PTA President, to the booster club president, and on down. Johnny either got to move to a magnet school or year round school, or got put in with the best teachers. The teachers did it also, their kids always got the best teachers and the best teachers always had the 'in' kids in the school. I finally went to the principal about my daughter after seeing for three years the same kids were always grouped in with the guidance counselor child with the best teachers in elementary school. Guess what happened to my daughter the next year, she got to be in with the 'in' group that year. I did not complain, as this is the way things are in life, the have and the have nots.

And finally this diversity thing is a joke. All my kids went to neighborhood schools and these schools always got the least and the worst teachers. The magnets, year round, and charter schools got the best of everything and also were mostly white. Just segregation in another form. The reason they want to keep magnet schools is so that the inside the beltline crowd can send their kids to a great school.

Anonymous said...

Another good reason to get rid of public schools.

Nifong Supporter said...


guiowen said...
"Something strange is happening, Sidney. I find myself agreeing with you again."


That goes to show, my friend, that you are becoming enlightened.

Note: Not long before your appearance in the comic strip

Nifong Supporter said...


Anonymous said...
"You all live in a dream world, this has been going on for years. I sent three kids through the Wake County School System and the under the counter deals parents got for their children were eye opening. From the PTA President, to the booster club president, and on down. Johnny either got to move to a magnet school or year round school, or got put in with the best teachers. The teachers did it also, their kids always got the best teachers and the best teachers always had the 'in' kids in the school. I finally went to the principal about my daughter after seeing for three years the same kids were always grouped in with the guidance counselor child with the best teachers in elementary school. Guess what happened to my daughter the next year, she got to be in with the 'in' group that year. I did not complain, as this is the way things are in life, the have and the have nots.

And finally this diversity thing is a joke. All my kids went to neighborhood schools and these schools always got the least and the worst teachers. The magnets, year round, and charter schools got the best of everything and also were mostly white. Just segregation in another form. The reason they want to keep magnet schools is so that the inside the beltline crowd can send their kids to a great school."


Thanks for sharing your experiences. My position is that the haves and have-nots should be treated equally, with the benefit going to the have-nots. Your are correct in your ascertation, as it happens so often in the legal system. Certain people, such as Sheriff Donnie Harrison's daughter are given "rare deals," probation for major drug offenses, while others who are disenfranchised, poor, and of color get the book thrown at them for minor drug offenses. Different sets of rules, different guidelines, different punishment doled out... that is why Mr. Nifong is the only prosecutor to be disbarred by the North Carolina State Bar for prosecutorial misconduct since its inception in 1933.

Nifong Supporter said...


The next blog will discuss the inequities by the government in treating tax evaders.

It will also include a link to latest installment of "The MisAdventures of Super-Duper Cooper."

Anonymous said...

"...others who are disenfranchised, poor, and of color get the book thrown at them..."

Mike Nifong does not fit into any of these categories.