newsobserver.com projects - Atkinson: Time to decide who runs schools - Comments

Re: Atkinson: Time to decide who runs schools

got2reply — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:40:01 -0500

Our elected State Superintendent MUST be given the power to do the job for which we elected her. The voters need to call or email their legislators and demand that they restore the authority of the State Superintendent. Governor Perdue did not remove June Atkinson's authority; that was done years ago. She selected someone, Dr. Harrison, who will run the Dept. of Public Instruction like a business and that will be much better than the convoluted structure that exists there now.

There is room for both Dr. Harrison and Dr. Atkinson at the Dept. of Public Instruction. Both are intelligent, innovative, and forward thinking leaders. It is past time for the General Assembly to step up and correct the error it made by stripping the authority of the State Superintendent.

Keep it up, June. Real educators are behind you!

Re: Atkinson: Time to decide who runs schools

jrt898 — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:11:07 -0500

Gov. Perdue is off to a great start -- creating a position that already exists. State employees are facing lay-offs and the Governor is creating unnecessary positions. It would be great if a politican could tell the truth for a change.

Now Hiring - Position of State Manager, People's Republic of NC

Notsurewhere_NC — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 23:26:44 -0500

This whole situation is a joke. Gov Bev instructs state agencies to prepare for headcount reductions. This week she appoints a six figure salary politico to replace the NC voter elected six figure salary department superintendent. Leading by example. No problem, this is the kind of CHANGE were used to. Keep pushing them Atkinson. Gov. Bev watch your back the legislature might be looking to hire a state manager, it's the trend.

Re: Atkinson: Time to decide who runs schools

PercyKution — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 22:04:11 -0500

If the ELECTED State Superintendent of Schools is not going to run the schools, what's the use to have one? Bev Perdue needs Shaquile O'Neal ahold of her for about 3 days and she'd behave a lot better.

Re: Atkinson: Time to decide who runs schools

CaniacLady17 — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:57:23 -0500

Dr. Atkinson is our state's ELECTED State Superintendent of Public Instruction and therefore should be at the helm of the department of public instruction, not just a figure-head ambassador. The one who runs DPI should be the people's ELECTED representative, NOT someone the governor decides to chose.

Re: Atkinson: Time to decide who runs schools

ThoughtCrimes — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:33:13 -0500

Bev ran on a platform of breaking up the gold ol' boys' notwerk.

Allowing Bev to appoint a lacky-hack, and then skirt a duly elected official's authority -- putting that power in the hands of her own hand-picked appointee is akin (tho, I realize, not as severe) as her abolishing the general assembly and making all the laws herself.

Bev, I am one of YOUR bosses: More representation, less taxation. Not the other way around!

Re: Atkinson: Time to decide who runs schools

minnie — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:37:48 -0500

I applaud Dr. Atkinson for speaking out. I hope the General Assembly will address this issue and make a decision, one way or another. In the meantime, Supt. Atkinson was elected - twice - by a majority of the voters in North Carolina. That - and she - should be respected.

Re: Atkinson: Time to decide who runs schools

perline — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:32:43 -0500

I am glad she stepped up to the plate. It is very confusing and North Carolinians voted her to do the job. She should have the authority to do the job.

Re: Atkinson: Time to decide who runs schools

GrayJ — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:03:57 -0500

Yes something needs to be done about this. Either give the Superintendent full power or have a amendment doing away with the position.

Atkinson: Time to decide who runs schools

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:18:06 -0500

Schools Superintendent June Atkinson is asking lawmakers to give her authority over education.

In a letter to legislative leaders sent today, the two-term Democrat noted Gov. Beverly Perdue's recent decision to consolidate power under the chairman of the State Board of Education, saying it as part of a long trend toward reducing the role of her office:

Every State Superintendent since 1995 has coped with the confusion caused by the current governance structure. It seems logical that an elected official would be able to select, organize and run his or her state agency. You can rest assured that the over 2.1 million voters who voted for me think I have the authority to run the Department. To think otherwise would discount the voter.

She asked legislators either "restore authority" to her position, give Perdue "total authority" or hold a constitutional referendum on the issue.

"North Carolina deserves your final decision," she wrote.

The full text of the letter after the jump.