Did this alarm anyone else? (loan, school districts, dangerous)

[librarySue]

Let's be clear: the directories I think we are referring to are a product of each school's PTA (as they were in NY). They are paid for by the PTA, not the district. I know of MANY schools in NY where this service was not provided at all. It isn't guaranteed.

Recently schools have started tightening up on this. For example, instead of automatically printing everyone based on school records, they had to start asking if you wanted to Opt-Out. Now at some schools you are required to Opt-in. At our middle school, Your info won't get posted unless you submit it for posted, and you choose what gets posted. So you can just put in your last name and phone number if you want your child's peers to be able to call you.

The point of the directory is to make parent to parent or student to student communication easier. NOT to allow total stranger access. If I called my daughter's elementary school and asked for the phone number of the PTA president, even though I was KNOWN to the secretary, she would take a message, not give out the number. And certainly not give out info about the PTA President's child.

[lamishra]

PTA's are private organizations.
That said, I don't think they should give out personal information, such as address and phone number, student grades or financial info, but confirming that a student is in fact enrolled in a public school should be public record, IMO.

And still even if they didn't give it out over the phone, it's so easy to find out if a student goes to a school. I can walk in off the street, volunteer to work in a school, pass a background check and find that information out just as easily.

[Bmateo]

In general, I think it's information that should not be given out. I don't know that it will prevent any harm, as information is so "out there" these days, that a person with bad intentions can find it anyway, but no need for the schools to make it any easier. At MOST, I could see where they could answer "yes" or "no" when asked if that student attended there, but give no other info out.

If you think that is bad, I recently had to file for Separation (sadly). When I filed the papers at the courthouse, the clerk was kind enough to hand me a sharpie and told me to black out any information that I did not want public. (to include the value of our investments, the value of our house, the details of our separation, and yes, the details of custody, the name of our child, and where she could be found and when.)

Who'd of Thunk-it, but all that info is scanned and is public info. If you want to know about anyone's dirt, just start surfing the registrar of deeds in the county they reside.

CRAZY~

[aphorista]

LibrarySue,

I find it alarming as well. I do not see any reason why it should be public information about whether a child attends a school or not. Having worked with domestic violence victims, I can certainly see how access to this information could lead to further harmful consequences. As a federal employee, I do not like my salary being made public but understand that tax dollars pay my salary. As for giving out information about whether a child attends a school or not , I don't think it is anyone's business even for someone in public office.

[netbrad]

I would like to know how many children of the activist group that made these calls attend Wake County schools, as well as the various school board protesters over the last year. Fair is fair.

It's nobody's business and should not be an unofficial requirement to run for school board. If that is the case, then fire all Wake county employees that don't live in Wake county and fire all WCPSS employees who don't have children or whose children don't attend a Wake county school.

[lamishra]

That information is of interest to voters voting to elect officials representing them in public school system matters. It is relevant information for a school board election. It's not relevant for employees or anyone else.

[netbrad]

That information is of interest to voters voting to elect officials representing them in public school system matters. It is relevant information for a school board election. It's not the same for employees or anyone else for that matter.

It absolutely is the same. The activist group is attempting to portray the candidate as unqualified because one of her kids does not attend Wake schools. Using that logic if you don't live in Wake county you are not qualified to work in Wake county. It is also a double standard since I have yet to see any previous or existing board members come under this scrutiny.

The real question is whether or not the candidate is competent to perform the job and whether or not they will improve a school system. This school board election is going to be a circus and will do nothing at all to help elect good candidates, instead it will be about "revenge" for disbanding the (failed) diversity policies.

[lamishra]

The activist group is not running for a public school board position. Employees are not elected public officials. Neither are residents.
Those are valid questions as well. What is of interest or relevance to one person when choosing to vote for a candidate in an election may not be the same for another.

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Originally Posted by netbrad

I would like to know how many children of the activist group that made these calls attend Wake County schools, as well as the various school board protesters over the last year. Fair is fair.

Have at it Brad. Nothing is stopping you but your own apathy.

Happy searching!

[twingles]

Originally Posted by lamishra

. I can walk in off the street, volunteer to work in a school, pass a background check and find that information out just as easily.

Wow, I'd love to know what school that is. I volunteer about an average of once a week (after passing the background check) and I know for sure that I would not have access to student records. I wouldn't even dream of trying to access that information anyway.