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Multi-track High Schools? Not at This Time
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During today's Committee of the Whole meeting of the Wake County Board of Education, Chuck Dulaney, assistant superintendent for growth and planning, presented the reasons why WCPSS staff was not recommending that the school board pursue multi-track year-round schedules for high schools at this time.
Part of the challenge is the massive logistical hurdle in trying to make the diverse curriculum at our high schools available for all students regardless of which track they're on, the need for teachers and staff to have office and planning space comparable to what's currently available, and the need to adequately compensate coaches and extracurricular sponsors when scheduling conflicts are created. But it's not only a problem of logistics, but of cost.
From the staff's report to the board (emphasis added):
An existing high school using a traditional calendar can serve 2100 students through the utilization of mobile/modular classrooms, and the same facility can theoretically serve 2800 students through the assignment of students to four tracks, each serving 700 students. However, in order to provide a full curriculum program to all students on each track, and in order to provide twelve month administrative, clerical, and security services, the school district would need to spend approximately $3.3 million per year in local funds to supplement funding allotted by NCDPI. The district could spend less, but it would result in limiting some courses (such as some Advanced Placement or Technical Education courses) to particular tracks and restrict access to some students.
If three traditional high schools were converted to year-round calendars, it would save the construction cost of one additional high school facility, saving approximately $90 million in capital spending (projected 2010 cost). However, each of the three converted high schools would require approximately $3.3 million in the annual operating budget, resulting in $10 million dollars per year in increased operating expenses. After about 9-10 years, the capital savings would be offset by the operating expenses, and the year-round high school calendar would cost the county more than the construction cost of the additional high school.
WCPSS staff could not identify any four-track year-round high schools currently in operation in the United States. Where they've been tried by other districts, they've been abandoned.
While a multi-track year-round high school is now off the table, per a straw poll of board members at the committee meeting, staff and board members will continue to explore the possibility of modified calendars at the high school level. Southeast Raleigh Magnet High operates on a modified calendar that coincides with the Track 4 and Track 1 year-round calendars in our elementary and middle schools.
Posted by Chip Sudderth at 5:22 PM on January 17, 2006 | Leave Feedback
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