BY PAUL A. SPECHT, staff writer - easternwakenews.com
KNIGHTDALE - Once represented by a single vote on the Wake County school board, Knightdale is now divided.
But the town's unified voice hasn't been lost, school board members say.
The Wake County school board in May approved a redrawing of its nine voting districts, splitting Knightdale into three districts instead of one.
Many Knightdale parents, particularly those involved with the educational advocacy group Knightdale 100, feared their influence would diminish - especially since their new reps are political foes.
But board members Chris Malone and Keith Sutton say their political differences won't interfere with serving their new cast of constituents and focusing on student achievement.
"We're different minds on a lot of things, but we're both dedicated on achievement," Chris Malone, a Republican, said of Knightdale's newest representative, Democrat Keith Sutton.
The vote divides Knightdale mainly into District 1, which includes parts of eastern Wake County and Wake Forest and District 4, which largely consists of southeast Raleigh. Also, a sliver of Knightdale now belongs in District 2, which includes Garner and Fuquay-Varina.
Sutton said his relationship with Malone has never been adversarial.
"I think the goals we have (for Knightdale schools) are the same. Our differences are in how we think we need to reach them," Sutton said of Malone. "I don't think (the new district lines) will hurt the town."
KNIGHTDALE - Once represented by a single vote on the Wake County school board, Knightdale is now divided.
But the town's unified voice hasn't been lost, school board members say.
The Wake County school board in May approved a redrawing of its nine voting districts, splitting Knightdale into three districts instead of one.
Many Knightdale parents, particularly those involved with the educational advocacy group Knightdale 100, feared their influence would diminish - especially since their new reps are political foes.
But board members Chris Malone and Keith Sutton say their political differences won't interfere with serving their new cast of constituents and focusing on student achievement.
"We're different minds on a lot of things, but we're both dedicated on achievement," Chris Malone, a Republican, said of Knightdale's newest representative, Democrat Keith Sutton.
The vote divides Knightdale mainly into District 1, which includes parts of eastern Wake County and Wake Forest and District 4, which largely consists of southeast Raleigh. Also, a sliver of Knightdale now belongs in District 2, which includes Garner and Fuquay-Varina.
Sutton said his relationship with Malone has never been adversarial.
"I think the goals we have (for Knightdale schools) are the same. Our differences are in how we think we need to reach them," Sutton said of Malone. "I don't think (the new district lines) will hurt the town."
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