Updated 02/18/2011 04:35 PM
Accreditation agency continues investigation into Wake schools
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RALEIGH—Friday was round two of interviews with AdvancED for Wake School officials
The accrediting agency AdvancED is in Raleigh conducting a review following a complaint from the NAACP. Friday's interviews began with Superintendent Tony Tata. The accrediting agency is meeting with a broad range of school officials, examining the school board's attempt to dismantle the system's diversity policy.
Tata, who started less than three weeks ago, says he's been trying to do as much listening as possible.
"I'm looking forward to hearing what AdvancED has to say and taking all this input and have a more unified governance team and move to the next level of governance and leading the school district," said Tata. "I think everybody agrees student achievement should be the primary focus, and I think everybody agrees we need to offer high quality education to our students moving forward."
Friday, it was School Board Chair Ron Margiotta's turn to answer questions. While he welcomed the questioning, he said he is not entirely happy with the process.
"I have problems with them coming in and doing what they are doing," said Margiotta. "I've said that from day one, and I think they should be in accrediting our high schools based on the performance of our high schools not based on whether or not board members get along or whether some members of the public have some political axes to grind."
AdvancED is also meeting with students, parent groups and principals.
"I think that out of this process will come some suggestions in terms of how we can move forward as a school system." said Sebastian Shipp, principal of East Wake School of Engineering Systems.
The school board had been at odds with AdvancED and threatened to withdraw, but eventually decided to cooperate. AdvancED would not comment on the investigation