Board of Education Approves 2006-07 Plan for Student Success
May 4, 2006 - The Wake County Board of Education approved the Plan for Student Success at its May 2 meeting, seeking to meet the impact of dramatic student enrollment growth on the school system.
Superintendent Bill McNeal said the school system is seeking to keep pace with the thousands of new students entering the schools. Enrollment grew by 6,400 for 2005-06 and is projected to increase by more than 7,000 for 2006-07.
"Without a doubt, the greatest challenge facing the Wake County Public School System today is growth," said McNeal. "The foundation and infrastructure of our schools must be reinforced. Campuses must be built and educators must be retained and recruited in order to meet the influx of students whose families were attracted to the excellence of our schools and the vibrancy of our communities. What must not be lost, however, is the recognition that public education's mission does not change even in the face of such challenges and crises."
After a public hearing and a budget work session, the board made few adjustments to the superintendent's plan, approving it on a unanimous vote.
The largest increase in funding is in response to growth. The plan includes $17 million to open nine new schools, meet the needs of an additional 7,000 students and retain high quality teachers.
Legislative changes for salary increases and employer's matching benefit changes require the school district to spend an additional $8.2 million.
The plan includes $20.7 million in savings, removing one-time costs from the previous year and reducing costs in programs.
The school system receives 60 percent of its funding from the state, 33 percent from local government and seven percent from the federal government. The county appropriation that provides most of the local funding totals $275.8 million. The school system is asking for an increase in the county appropriation of $21.5 million.
For the second year in a row the plan describes three years, instead of just one year. It provides an in-depth and detailed business description of financial needs based on growing student enrollment and Goal 2008 efforts to boost student academic success.
Superintendent McNeal told the board that efforts of teachers and staff are helping students to grow academically, despite the continuing difficulties the school system is facing.
"Legislated costs and unfunded mandates, costs due to extreme growth and inflation, an increase of students with special needs, and discretionary budget reductions have eroded our flexibility to provide additional services for students," said McNeal. "It is a testament to the skill and tenacity of our teachers, staff and students, and the involvement of parents, volunteers and the business community, that we have maintained our current level of success."
The Board of Education Plan for Student Success now goes to the Wake Board of County Commissioners.
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updated May 5, 2006