More than 300 take part in Community Engagement Meetings
December 8, 2006 - More than 300 people attended the three community engagement meetings held by the WCPSS Growth Management Department last month.
2006 Community Engagement Meetings Presentation (PDF, 1.4 MB)
2006 Community Engagement Meetings Handout (PDF, 80 KB)
The meetings were held November 20 at Leesville High, November 27 at Knightdale High and November 30 at Middle Creek High.
In each session, Chuck Dulaney, Assistant Superintendent for Growth and Planning, provided detailed information in a handout and made a 40-minute presentation.
Dulaney explained that WCPSS currently has 128,072 students attending 147 schools. There are 62,000 students in 93 elementary schools; 28,000 students in 28 middle schools; and 36,000 students in 22 high schools.
Dulaney explained that student enrollment has exploded in recent years. In 1998-99 and for the next five years, about 3,000 additional new students arrived annually. Then in 2003-04, enrollment increased by 4,600. It increased by 5,000 in 2004-05, 6,400 in 2005-06 and 7,500 this year. Enrollment is projected to rapidly increase by 8,000 students for the next few years and reach nearly 250,000 by 2025.
Dulaney explained that WCPSS has been working with NC State's Operations Research and Education Laboratory, Wake County staff and the municipal planning departments in planning for new schools. Findings indicate growth is occurring across the county. This has helped WCPSS refine plans for locating new schools.
On November 7, voters approved a referendum to fund a new school construction program. Steps have already been taken by WCPSS to begin work on these projects which include 17 new schools. The new schools will include 11 elementary schools, four middle schools and two high schools to be completed by 2012.
Dulaney said the primary challenges in assigning students for 2007-08 include:
- Creating capacity with year-round calendars and more modular or mobile classrooms and addressing crowding while opening only five new schools for 2007-08;
- Expanding base areas for existing year-round schools that have served large numbers of voluntary applicants;
- Avoiding future overcrowding in rapidly growing schools;
- Planning base areas for new schools while anticipating additional new schools in 2008 and 2009; and
- Improving the assignment plan for eliminating spot nodes when possible.
At each session, Dulaney provided about 80 minutes for audience comments and questions. The information received in the community engagement meetings helped the Growth Management Department in preparing its draft being posted online for community feedback on December 8.
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