The Reporting Entity and Its Services
The School System
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The Wake County Public School System is one comprehensive school district serving the entire county; including Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Wendell, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Holly Springs, Morrisville, and Zebulon. The school system is the 27th largest system in the nation and the second largest in North Carolina. The system and its school board are committed to providing the highest possible quality of education to Wake County students, while maintaining fiscal responsibility and accountability. Wake County Public School System is a large, complex system that requires effective leadership at both the central and school levels to drive continuous improvements. Bill McNeal, superintendent, is the chief executive officer of WCPSS. He and his senior leadership team (cabinet) set system direction, implement policy, and manage systemwide operations. In addition to the superintendent and his cabinet, principals, assistant principals, and central-level administrative staff comprise the districtwide adminstrative team. School leadership teams, of which principals are members, oversee school improvement planning and other site-based management responsibilities. One of the superintendent’s responsibilities is to serve the board of education. A nine-member elected lay board is the policymaking arm of the school system. Board members represent geographical districts of the county and serve four-year terms. The board of education meets at least three times per month to consider policy issues and review system performance. Senior leadership is aligned to support the board of education’s decision-making structure. The board has budget review authority, but it is not a taxing body and must submit its annual budget requests to the Wake County Board of Commissioners which controls allocation of funds to the schools. In North Carolina the basic public education program is funded by the state and is augmented with local funds. Opportunities for public comment are provided through a public hearing at the beginning of each regular board meeting for items on the agenda and at the end of each regular board meeting for items not on the agenda. Each participant is given three minutes to address the board. Principals are legally responsible for the operation of the schools in the district. Principals work collaboratively with leadership teams at their schools to develop, implement, and monitor school improvement plans (SIPs). All school staffs are involved in the school improvement process. The school system has over 12,000 full- and part-time employees and is the third largest employer in the Raleigh-Durham area. The system has nearly 6,000 regular classroom teachers, not including media specialists, counselors, psychologists, etc., and allots regular classroom teachers at a teacher/student ratio of 1:23 for grades K-2, 1:25.5 for grades 3-5, 1:22.5 for grades 6-8, and 1:24 for grades 9-12. Most students are assigned to and attend their "base school"—the school assigned based on the parent’s or guardian’s home address. In some instances, the base school may be a magnet school since these schools have base populations in addition to accepting applications. Transportation is provided for students living at least 1 ½ miles from the base school. For the magnet program, the same guidelines apply if the child is accepted into the program. Forty-three of the school system’s 118 schools are magnet schools which offer unique educational alternatives. All students are eligible to apply, and the network features 12 distinct programs: classical studies, creative arts and science, international studies, Enloe High School, extended day, gifted and talented, language arts and communications, Montessori, year-round school, center for accelerated studies, community model, and Partnership School. The magnet network was established 17 years ago to offer a choice in instructional opportunities, to fill inner-city schools, and to help racially balance schools. The program has proven to be highly successful and contributes to Wake County’s stature as a leader in education. |
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Reporting Entity |
The board is the basic level of government exercising oversight responsibility and control over all activities related to public school education in Wake County. Because its members are elected by the public and have decision-making authority, the power to designate management, the ability to significantly influence operations, and primary accountability for fiscal matters, the board is recognized as a separate government reporting entity, as defined by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). The board receives funding from county, state, and federal government sources and must comply with the concomitant requirements of those funding entities. While the board receives county funding, the county is not entitled to share in any surpluses nor is it required to finance any deficits. |
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Economic Condition and Outlook |
The recurring publicity of Wake County as one of the most desired places to live and work in the United States, as evidenced by past surveys in magazines such as Money and Fortune, has continued to turn the spotlight on quality of life enjoyed by Wake County citizens. While quality of life is an intangible asset, there are many tangible attributes that we can point to in explaining the county’s attractiveness. Chartered in 1771, Wake County covers an area of 864 square miles and is the second most populous county in the state. Twelve municipalities reside in Wake County including Raleigh, the county seat and state capital. A unique mix of urban county with rural areas and small towns distinguishes Wake County from other counties in the state and provides something for everyone in choosing a lifestyle. Located in the north central section of the state on the piedmont plateau, Wake County is approximately half way between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. As well as being a part of that major industrial corridor, Wake County is also convenient to the recreation of the beautiful North Carolina mountains and serene North Carolina beaches. The county's topography is characterized by low rolling hills in the northwest changing gradually to level land in the southeast. The central North Carolina climate is relatively mild with moderate winters and warm summers. The location, geography, and climate make Wake County an enjoyable place to live and work while also contributing significantly to the economic viability of the region. The economy of the area is stabilized by the presence of state and local government employment markets, the college and university employment markets, and the Research Triangle Park research facilities, all of which offer substantial employment opportunities to the county’s population. No major specialized industry dominates the economy of the county, and as a result, the June 1999 unemployment rate was 1.5 percent as compared to 2.7 percent statewide and 4.3 percent nationwide. The unemployment rate continues to reflect stability in the local economy as economic recovery continues. The Research Triangle Park, straddled on the Wake and Durham County line, was organized in 1959. It encompasses 6,800 acres of land set aside for research and research-oriented manufacturing. With the attractiveness of the Research Triangle Park and its proximity to three major research universities, it is no accident that medical and electronic industries flourish in the region. Glaxo Wellcome and Ajinomoto lead the medical research and production industry with IBM, Northern Telecom, and Microelectronics Center of North Carolina leading the electronics research and production industry, giving both industries major presence in the region. It is expected that these major corporations and centers will continue to thrive and offer employment opportunities to the county’s citizens. The Wake County Public School System works with a variety of agencies, suppliers, and partners to deliver the necessary programs, activities, and services of the school system. In many instances state law and regulations define the relationship between WCPSS and suppliers. For example, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) establishes the required curriculum to be taught in all North Carolina schools. Student performance is assessed by the state in grades K-8 in the areas of reading, mathematics, and writing. In grades 9-12, the state assesses student performance in selected courses in the areas of English, social studies, mathematics, and science. Students must meet minimum competency standards in mathematics, reading, and computer literacy to receive a high school diploma. WCPSS maintains relationships with local colleges and universities, community agencies, businesses, parent organizations, and the Wake Education Partnership. The Wake Education Partnership is a community-based public school advocacy organization that links business and community resources to strengthen schools. The Partnership’s efforts include sponsoring annual education summits and community-based technology forums, conducting the Gallup Poll on education, and awarding grants to teachers. The United Way of Wake County and the United Arts Council are also community partners that support students, families, and school programs. The Wake County Public School System values these collaborative relationships. WCPSS nurtures positive relationships with many local businesses. WCPSS, the Wake Education Partnership, and the Business Education Leadership Council created the JobReady Council now known as the School-to-Career Council. Results of this collaborative partnership were evidenced when WCPSS won one of the largest grants awarded to any school system in North Carolina in 1996. From this beginning seed, numerous business alliances evolved at the school sites. A recent collaboration with the NC Partnership for Excellence and Glaxo Wellcome is providing nine East Wake area schools with significant staff development in Continuous Quality Improvement. The Wake County PTSA (Parent-Teacher-Student Association) coordinates PTSA activities through membership in the state and national organization and provides leadership to the individual school Parent-Teacher-Student Associations. Through the valuable work of the many active members, schools receive volunteers and enrichment programs. There is significant parent and volunteer involvement in schools on a daily basis. Special relationships exist between Wake County schools and the postsecondary institutions. Universities provide the system with licensed teachers and administrators, and WCPSS provides opportunities for student teachers, graduate internships, and employment for their graduates. Other collaborations include programs such as the Math-Science Network, a pre-college program for minority students, summer enrichment programs, Governor’s School, and partnerships with community and technical colleges to meet both student and staff educational needs. |