Annual Meeting of the Wake County Board of Education
Chair Ron Margiotta
Vice-chair Debra Goldman
June 15, 2010 - During today's annual meeting, the Wake County Board of Education re-elected Ron Margiotta as board chair. Margiotta, who has represented District 6 for seven years, was first elected board chair on December 1, 2009.
The school board also re-elected Debra Goldman to continue as vice-chair. Goldman, representing District 9, was first elected vice-chair on December 1, 2009.
As its last business during its annual meeting, the school board unanimously reappointed the firm of Tharrington Smith as board attorney.
Selection of Firm for Superintendent Search
In regular business, the school board approved the recommendation from the Superintendent Search Committee to hire the Chicago-based firm of Heidrick & Struggles to help conduct the search for a new superintendent. The committee interviewed four firms before deciding on Heidrick & Struggles, which submitted a proposal to conduct a full-service search for $82,500 plus expenses. The last superintendent the firm helped hire was the superintendent for the Houston Independent School District 18 months ago.
The school board also approved on first reading changes made by the school board's Policy Committee and Committee of the Whole to Policy 2100, Employment of Superintendent. The policy establishes criteria for selection of a superintendent. The revisions removed requirements that a candidate hold a doctorate or equivalent or have held a position in school work for three of the previous ten years. The policy will return to the school board for a second reading at its next meeting.
Approval of Interim Budget Resolution
Since the adoption of a budget resolution will be delayed until after July 1, 2010, the board approved an interim budget resolution
...for the purpose of paying salaries and the usual ordinary expenses of the system, for the interval between the beginning of the fiscal year and the adoption of the final budget resolution. Interim appropriations so made and expended will be charged to the proper appropriations in the budget resolution. This resolution in no way will be interpreted as adoption of the current proposed Board's Budget.
Staff Response to Board Directive for Community-Based Student Assignment
Draft Transition Plan for Community-Based School Assigments (PDF)
Draft Transition Plan Graphic (PDF)
During the earlier Committee of the Whole meeting, staff members presented a proposed transition plan for the community based school assignment model (graphic).
The final model to be approved by the Board of Education must include:
- A multi-year transition plan that limits impact on student reassignment and ensures program equity within each zone.
- A plan that will be respectful of our history as a community and an institution, while being innovative and mindful of future growth.
- A plan that ensures a commitment to a high quality education for ALL children.
- A plan that creates consistent and logical feeder patterns with a defined plan for "optional choice" assignment opportunities. These opportunities will highlight strong support for high quality year-round and magnet schools as viable options for families, while planning for both a vocational and alternative school.
- A plan that is effective and efficient in the utilization of our facilities and transportation fleet.
- A plan that establishes better alignment of internal management systems and functions.
- A strategy that supports and promotes high functioning and engaged communities.
- A plan to support families and keep siblings from being separated by tracks or schools without parental consent.
Resolution Establishing Board Directive for Community Based School Assignments (PDF)
The Board of Education approved a resolution establishing a board directive for community-based student assignment on March 23. The resolution states: The Board of Education commits to establishing Community Assignment Zones. A zone-based assignment model will be developed during the next 9-15 months with input from community stakeholders, WCPSS staff, and other government planning and zoning officials. The plan will be presented in public hearings prior to adoption.
Board member John Tedesco chairs the board's Student Assignment Committee that will work on developing community-based assignments.
Other Business
The school board:
- voted to renew its membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools which accredits schools, while declining to renew its memberships in the North Carolina School Boards Association, National School Boards Association, and Council of Urban Boards of Education;
- approved waivers for schools needing flexibility to provide time for Professional Learning Teams according to Policy 3610; and
- approved the terms and conditions of a contract to purchase 143 acres of land in Rolesville for a high school at $30,000/acre, with potential additional space for a land-banked elementary school or surplus space.