In a retrospective published by the Rhino after Dot Kearns’ passing, it was mentioned that one of her major achievements was the consolidation of the Guilford County Schools system. This occurred during the early 1990’s. Prior to that, Greensboro, High Point and the county all had their own school systems.
History will reflect that consolidating these into one huge system was a huge mistake. It made the system less accountable to the public. It should be noted that the general public at that time opposed consolidation.
Scott Yost also reports her promotion of “diversity” (read: busing) and her affection for school boards. My recollection is that she was always fussing about Title IX— i.e., the federal law that requires equal programs be afforded to boys and girls.
In other words, she was wrong about nearly everything important with regard to education. RIP.
Not to worry. The school board is still dominated with the likes of Deena A. Hayes & T. Dianne Bellamy Small. SAD!
Pretty awful, Fred. Over the last two decades, alternatives to traditional public schools have probably been the biggest growth industry in Guilford County.
I knew Dot personally – her son and I were classmates all through our schooling. She was politically aligned with my uber liberal aunt, Rachel Gray, who was on HP city council and served as a NC state senator. Between these 2 ladies and their pal, Mary Jarrell, God rest their souls, Guilford County and the state have paid a hefty price in many ways. They all suffered deeply from white guilt and a bra-burning disdain for men in positions of power, unless he be a minority. It is correct to say that consolidation of the GCSS was and continues to be, one of the worst of Mrs.Kearns’ crowning achievements. Loosening the bands of control seemed to these 3 musketeers as something to appease the black community (I.e. pander for votes) while making sure the white male superintendents of the school systems heard them roar loud and clear. Yes, as a native High Pointer, and a constitutional conservative since about the 8th grade, this is my history of which I am not proud. We could have done much better had the women’s liberation movement not cowered men with whom they served into submission.
Aside from politics, Dot Kearns will always have a place in my heart as one of the most kind and lovely people within our community. My only wish is that she and her cohorts had refrained from politics. May she now rest in peace.
Thanks, Jan. I didn’t know about your personal connection.
I find it interesting that few people discuss in retrospect the consolidation of the county schools system and what a huge mistake it was.
We can all speculate as to what captures the minds of progressives who are otherwise “kind and lovely”.