A View from the Trenches . . .

Words spoken by Mrs. Susan Stroup during the Public Comments portion of the Burke County Board of Education meeting on June 30, 2009.

Prelude: Mrs. Stroup stated that she was going to stand in front of the Board Members in order to look them in the eye and not stand behind the podium. Ms. Norman stated that she could not do that. Mrs. Stroup responded that the public comments policy did not prohibit this. Mr. Jones nodded in agreement with Mrs. Stroup. Ms. Norman then stated that Mrs. Stroup needed to stand behind the podium so the live streaming camera could see her. Mrs. Stroup responded that she had already checked with the tech staff and they could indeed provide the coverage in front of the table.

“Remember Who You Are and Who and What You Represent”

My name is Susan Stroup and today I retired as Principal of Glen Alpine Elementary School and I am no longer an employee of Burke County Schools. Thus, I am free to speak out.

The past few months have been very challenging to be an administrator or teacher in Burke County. Many days we have been discouraged because of all this controversy caused by majority members of our Board of Education. But, we held our heads high continuing our mission to our students by following the example of our leader, Mr. David Burleson, who always says, “focus on children and what’s right for kids”. And we did, despite the Board created chaos surrounding us.

We finished the school year with every school in Burke County achieving expected growth goals set by North Carolina Department of Public Instruction on end of grade tests . My school, Glen Alpine, the school you referred to in a previous meeting, that had not met AYP, well, preliminary test results indicate that we made all our AYP goals while having 25% of our nearly 600 students identified in the “students with disabilities” subgroup and having 70% of our students on free/reduced lunch!

We accomplished this because our leader kept his focus on children and so did we. All stakeholders in Burke County---school administrators, teachers, students, parents, and all these concerned citizens are the reason we were successful, despite all the drama you created to distract us.

This issue is not just about David Burleson, the man. It is about what David Burleson represents. What he represents reminds me of our American Flag . This flag is just a piece of fabric on a wooden stick purchased at the Dollar Store. But, its power is what it represents!

The Superintendent contract, that you will vote on today, is about what it represents. It represents the standard that David Burleson has lived. It represents his character, commitment, caring, high student achievement results, visionary leadership, innovative leadership, servant leadership, and a devoted steward of the people’s money, resources, and our most precious children.

Voting against David Burleson today will be a vote against all that he represents. It will be just like voting against the American Dream and all that is good in Burke County and America. I passionately appeal to you today, as I present each of you an American Flag, that you are reminded of what this represents and when you vote, ask yourself, “who you are and who and what you represent”.

Susan Stroup