Wake County (NC) nets $3 million and a star superintendent

By every measure, yesterday was a banner day for Wake County (NC). The newly hired superintendent, Anthony J. Tata, made the rounds to meet and greet students, administrators, parents and even stopped in for barbeque with the Wake County Taxpayers association. All areas agree that Tata demonstrated a willingness to listen and learn before making recommendations to move the school system forward.

Tata’s open letter to the community published on Dec. 23, set the positive tone for his round of meetings on January 7. “I am humbled to be selected as the next superintendent of the Wake County Public School System. I intend to focus the system's impressive resources on the academic achievement of our students and on closing the achievement gap in student performance. I will ensure our teachers and principals have the resources they need to deliver this improvement. One of my goals will be to energize all aspects of Wake County's very large, complex organization to operate at maximum capacity and minimum cost so that we can push as many resources as possible to where they belong -- the classroom,” wrote Tata.

Some are questioning the retired Army brigadier general’s ability to lead the state’s largest school district. Although Tata’s time as the chief operating officer of the Washington, D.C. schools has been brief – less than two years – it’s not evident that Wake Public Schools needs an experienced educator. In the January 7 announcements, the community learned that Donna Hargens will stay on as the Chief Academic Officer. Hargens has been serving as the interim superintendent since former superintendent Del Burns stepped down in March of 2010. At that same time, Hargens also continued in her role as CAO. The combination of Tata’s leadership and Hargen’s experience truly makes them a dynamic duo to capably move Wake County Public Schools beyond the controversy of the previous months to focusing on learning and teaching.

Although I didn’t meet with Tata yesterday, I did receive a very quick and positive reply to my welcome to Wake County e-mail. Tata wrote “Thanks Liza for reaching out and for all that you do. I look forward to meeting you and listening to your viewpoint. Best, Tony”

Even more impressive, Tata is heralded as the next Tom Clancy and is giving 100% of the proceeds of his book “Sudden Threat” to USO Metro D.C. wounded soldiers. The book is dedicated to three soldiers who are heroes. Hear more from Tata in the video of the left.

With all the good news about Wake’s new superintendent, I would remiss if I didn’t also mention the $3 million windfall the school received as a result of fraud case ruling yesterday. According to reports, this is the largest single fine awarded to a school system. Under state law, cases of this nature that are settled are directed to pay the fines to the public schools where the case is heard.