in Follow-Up, Media, Politics, Rant

N&O school coverage fails again to provide perspective

I was reading this N&O story about Wake school board members Kevin Hill and Keith Sutton providing background on Tata’s firing. The story by Thomas Goldsmith inexplicably ended with a quote from some random guy and included no context as to why what we think he says actually matters:

“I think the man got a raw deal,” said Arvin F. Dixon, 76, who lives just outside of Rolesville. “I think the school board should have been working together and taking care of our tax money like they ought to be.”

Who is this guy, Arvin Dixon? He’s not mentioned anywhere else in the article. Nowhere does it state whether he was one of many who called or emailed the board. At the age of 76, it’s safe to say that Mr. Dixon has no kids currently in school. Voting records show he is a white male and registered Republican who only sporadically votes in local elections.

So, some cranky old anti-tax white guy weighed in on the school system and the reporter thought his opinion mattered? Can somebody explain exactly what kind of stake this guy has in the schools’ future?

The N&O’s education reporting leaves a lot to be desired. What they’re doing now is a disservice to the public.

via Wake schools superintendent Tata fired after months of friction, board leaders say – Wake County – NewsObserver.com.