Driving the Superintendent's Plan for Student Success
Enrollment growth is driving the Superintendent’s 2006-07 Plan for Student Success. The Wake County Public School System has set a new record for growth each of the last three years, adding more than 16,000 students since 2002. WCPSS is projected to gain approximately 7,000 new students next year, bringing total enrollment to more than 127,500. To provide much-needed classroom seats, the district will open nine new schools in 2006 (five year-round elementary schools, two high schools, an early college on Wake Technical Community College’s campus, and a second East Wake High Academy) and add approximately 100 mobile/modular classrooms.
Although the need for new schools is receiving a good deal of attention, budgeting for growth goes beyond the bricks and mortar. To transform these buildings into centers for learning, WCPSS needs to recruit new teachers, principals and support staff; pay their salaries and benefits; and add furniture, equipment and supplies to fill the new classrooms. The school system will need to pay for technology and start-up costs; utilities, maintenance and custodial services for the additional one million-plus square feet; landscaping for the additional 224 acres; and more buses and gas to transport students.
As enrollment increases, so does the number of students needing special services (special education, limited English proficient and academically gifted courses, for example) – overloading teachers and requiring additional materials and supplies. Departments providing support services to the schools are feeling the strain as well. Security, Growth Management and Evaluation and Research in particular, have hit a critical mass and need additional support to continue functioning.
“Wake County Public School System teachers and those who support them work hard every day for students,” said Deputy Superintendent Del Burns. “It is through their commitment that our students continue to achieve at high levels. Retaining and recruiting high quality employees is essential. In recognition of this need, requests for new funding to support salary increases are included in the Superintendent's Plan for Student Success.”
Although the General Assembly has not determined average salary increases yet, WCPSS estimates the following increases:
- 5 percent for certified staff, principals and assistant principals;
- 2.5 percent for non-certified staff and central office administrators; and
- 0.5 percent for central office administrator performance-based pay.
In addition, WCPSS expects a 3.7 percent increase in employer-matching contributions to the state retirement plan and a 12 percent increase in hospitalization costs.
Efforts to ensure fiscal accountability; keep data secure; and cover rate increases for leases, utilities, software and fees, all have a price as well.
Once the school system covers what must be funded – growth, salaries and benefits, rate increases, and other state and federal mandates – there are not any funds available for new programs or initiatives to help reach Goal 2008.