Atkinson at conference for first day

Note, this is not a national conference per se; it is the Council of State School Officials. June Atkinson is North Carolina's Chief State School Official and is on the Next Generation Learners (Innovative Systems of Student Support) Committee. Her duties extend beyond the walls of the DPI building. NeverbloggedB4, just like the use of the word waiver vs. waver, do some research before writing. June did not sign the directive regarding no travel. That directive came from the Governor's Office.

When she first filed the lawsuit, I wrote that the judge would have to rule in her favor because the Constitution is very clear on this issue. She could have sat back while earning a six-figure salary and just enjoyed the ride, but this is a woman who wanted to do her job. Now, five years after her first term of office began, she can fulfill the role for which she was elected and that is what she is doing in Colorado!

AND? What about Perdue's little creation of a position for a friend/campaign contributor to head up our education system with a quarter of a million dollars salary? What blatant waste when the public had already voted Atkinson in to do that job. One would expect in a position such as Atkinson's, she would have to attend national conferences as part of the job. Education does not stop at the NC borders. We have to go out to see what the rest of the nation is doing, how we can learn from others' trials and tribulations, use what works and not use what doesn't work. S*&(, Perdue should through one of those high paid jobs to me or one of my family members.

GLAD Sup. Atkinson took Perdue to court over this. We voted Atkinson in as the Sup of Ed and that is what she should be doing. Perdue is turning out to be another Weasely. I had hopes for her and kept an open mind, but she has proven to be one of them. I don't have such a high opinion of her I once did. Anyway, yippee for Atkinson on winning the case!

Being at work for a superintendent isn't always the same as "being in the office." Lots of principals and other top administrators have many duties that take them out to meet with peers and with potential donors, grant providers, government leaders, etc.... It would be interesting to know how her trip is being paid for if in fact there is a travel freeze for administrative staff. As superintendent elected by the people, is she a "state employee" in the same way that the hired staff is? Perhaps the trip is being paid for in some other way.

You bring up a word usage question here. There are 2 different words here: waiver and waver. One is a kind of dismissal, as in to sign a waiver of right to an attorney. The other is to give way or fail to hold fast, as in "She never wavered in her determination to save her children." Sometimes dictionary reference checks come in handy before throwing stones about word usage.

I would expect her to live by the same directives the rest of the state has been given. In light of the Easley issues, I would expect her to understand the perception of her ignoring a directive that she signed for everyone else to live by. I fully understand the value of conferences but I also know that many many school employees across this state are cutting back and tightening the belt for the good of all. Most summer conferences and travel have been stopped. And at budget time, why would she give the critics of education in the Leg. more ammunition? DPI thinks they sit on a hill and can look down at all the rest. Part of the problem. Just not smart.

Are you kidding? Despite some folks' abuses, real work does go on at national conferences. You get tuned into lots of national opportunities and partnerships that are vital in obtaining grants, moving forward on initiatives, having credibility in your own state, etc.

While there, she'll get heads up on opportunities that aren't yet widely known and that can potentially help bring in a lot more dollars to the state. Would you have her sit at a desk from 9-5 because that's your idea of work?

Just because Mary Easley et al have allegedly abused their flextime doesn't mean everyone else does.

I am sure I have read this one wrong. I can't believe she wasn't at DPI this morning, no matter what. She fought for it. She got it. She should do her job. Actually, nothing new. I bet nobody missed her. Travel was frozen by DPI for all state employees. Has she forgotten or is she so out of touch she didn't even know? Oh, I forgot-she is a victim of people who expect leaders to be competent. So, who paid for her trip? Also wouldn't you expect the leader of education in the state to know how to spell waiver?