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Pendleton: Some behind board majority distorting facts

Suzette Pendleton

Published: November 1, 2009

Morganton, NC - I have sat back over the last few months and read all of the letters concerning the Burke County school board. I didn't feel as though I could contribute anything different that had not already been said, but after reading the last couple of weeks' letters I am more angry than ever.
I've read letters from people in favor of the current board majority that were totally inaccurate and just plain lies! I believe their opinions are based on their lack of knowledge or their personal agenda regarding former superintendent David Burleson.
I have some points to make regarding past letters.
No. 1: SWAT supporters have not threatened anyone. The board majority has communicated all the threats, as stated in the SACS CASI report concerning the teachers and school personnel. The reason SWAT supporters are so angry is because they have not been allowed to be heard, which is another SACS CASI violation concerning input from stakeholders.
No. 2: Tracy Norman has not done what the voters elected her to do! She and the rest of the board majority have done nothing but go against the city, county, students, school personnel and taxpayers in all aspects of their tenure. And this has nothing to do with David Burleson anymore. It has everything to do with the best interests of our school system and county!
No. 3: As to the forum held at CoMMA, SWAT candidates answered the questions truthfully. If you listened carefully, Tracy Norman didn't even answer the questions that were asked; instead, she tried to put the blame on others for the chaos that she and the board majority have created, which is a trademark of hers. And the answers given by Bill Crump, Linda Minich and James Stamey were vague, to say the least.
No. 4: The SWAT candidates did not say our county's economy was the board majority's fault. They said that if we lose our accreditation, which is in jeopardy because of the board majority, our county will not attract new business and we could lose established businesses. One of the first questions prospective industries ask is, "What is the quality of your school system?" If our accreditation is lost or even suspended for a time period, people will move in order to get their children into a school system that is accredited.
No. 5: The SWAT candidates have a plan to address the SACS CASI violations. Full-page ads in the paper have stated their plan to get our schools back on the right track concerning SACS CASI and other issues.
Folks, look at the facts. Our county is already out over $350,000 due to legal expenses caused by the Tracy Norman and board majority. These were not only totally unnecessary, but extremely fiscally irresponsible!
I have voted SWAT because I know Stroup, Wilkinson, Armour and Thomas will represent our students and county the way we deserve.