Wake County school board member John Tedesco announced Thursday that he will run for the office of state superintendent of public instruction.
The Garner Republican said the state's education system has failed for too many of the state's 1.4 million public school students, citing issues such as teacher layoffs, high student suspension rates and the low test scores for minority students. He said he could use the position as a bully pulpit to advocate effectively for students and teachers.
"It's time the kids had a real champion who is effectively talking about their issues," Tedesco said.
Two other Republicans have already announced plans to run for the superintendent's position in the May 8 primary. Tedesco's opponents would be David Scholl, a Union County businessman and school board member; and Ray Martin, a teacher in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.
On the Democratic side, incumbent June Atkinson faces a challenge from state Rep. Rick Glazier of Fayetteville.
First elected in 2009, Tedesco emerged as a leading spokesman for the Republican majority that took control of the state's largest school district that year. He was the board's vice chairman for six months last year.
Tedesco pushed for the elimination of the use of socioeconomic diversity as a factor in student assignment and has been a vocal proponent of the new choice-based student assignment plan. He has also been outspoken about increasing educational opportunities for minority and low-income students, and reforming discipline policies to keep more students in school.
But Tedesco has been the target of critics who have accused him of pushing an agenda that could resegregate schools. Liberal advocacy groups used Tedesco's appearances at tea party rallies to charge that Republican school board candidates were anti-public education.
Democrats swept all five school board seats on last fall's ballot, giving them the majority through 2015. Only Republican-held seats, Tedesco's included, will be on the ballot in 2013.
Tedesco, 37, has led the N.C. Center for Education Reform, a nonprofit established last year. Tedesco says the organization is promoting best education practices that public schools can emulate. But critics, such as the liberal N.C. Policy Watch, have accused the group of being a vehicle for Tedesco's conservative backers to financially support him.
Tedesco becomes the second Republican on the Wake school board to seek higher office this year. Board member Chris Malone is running for the state House 35 seat.
