August 20, 2009

Top News

Summer Graduation Ceremonies Held

On August 13, summer school graduation was held. 89 seniors participated and walked across the stage at Knightdale High School. 176 students actually completed their school requirements for graduation during the summer session.

In talking to the school board, Superintendent Del Burns offered his praise for these students and their perseverance. “They continued. They made sure that they did in fact graduate,” said Burns. “I’m really proud of them taking that initiative and making certain that they moved from high school into the next stage of their life as they prepare for the future.”

WCPSS Highlighted at Urban School Boards Conference

The Wake County Board of Education will be recognized by the National School Boards Association for its outstanding achievements and continued progress in public education at the upcoming Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) conference in Austin, TX.

School Board Chair Kevin L. Hill and Superintendent Del Burns will the conference scheduled for October 8-10. Hill will participate in presentations discussing Wake County's work with its diversity policy.

"As part of the CUBE Award process, we are gratified that the National School Boards Association has recognized the hard work which has brought us to where we are as a school system today," said Hill. "The dedication of our principals and teachers along with support from parents and the community has given us the opportunity to be recognized by our peers."

Changing Traffic Patterns with Start of New School Year

With the traditional calendar school year getting underway August 25, there will be changing traffic patterns with Smith Elementary School and Wake Forest-Rolesville High moving. Smith Elementary returns to its campus at 1101 Maxwell Drive in Raleigh after spending a year in swing space while their campus underwent major renovation. Wake Forest-Rolesville High is moving into swing space at the Heritage High campus at 1150 Forestville Road, Wake Forest for a year, while its campus undergoes major renovation.

Issue:  State Budget Reductions Impact School System At its August 18 meeting, the Board of Education gave approval to reductions in the WCPSS budget to bring it in line with the 2009-10 budget adopted by the State of North Carolina which reduces WCPSS funding in many categories. Additional Details 2008-2009 Fiscal Adjustments (PDF) Summary of State Funding Reductions (PDF) Governor's Executive Order Restricting State Spending (PDF) The state budget reductions included: $4.7 million for textbooks $2.8 million for Improving Student Accountability (intervention) $2 million for transportation $1 million for non instructional support such as clerical and custodial staff $0.9 million for technology $0.8 million for Central Office administrators $0.8 million for staff development $0.2 million for literacy coaches $0.2 million for mentor-teachers and instruction support Another $21.7 million was listed in the state budget as a discretionary reduction. Earlier versions of the state budget had shown this as a reduction in teacher funding that would require increased class sizes in grades 4-12, as well as a reduction in elementary school teacher assistants. In all, these reductions total $35.1 million less state funding for the school system. While state funding which makes up more than 60 percent of all WCPSS funding has decreased significantly, federal funding has increased. WCPSS is to receive $46.4 million in federal stimulus money over the next two years with no expectation that the funding would continue after that. As customary with federal funds, there are restrictions on its use. The monies are earmarked for special education programs and the Title I program that serves high poverty schools. The federal funds have allowed WCPSS to create 53 teaching jobs and 45 math coach positions at Title I schools. The rest of the federal money spent so far has allowed WCPSS to maintain 92 special education teachers and eight special education teacher assistants. The revenue picture has not brightened at the state and local level. Gov. Perdue called for state agency funding cuts that don’t apply to public education last week and the county manager told a joint meeting of the county commissioners and school board this week that the revenue picture has yet to improve. WCPSS administrators remain financially cautious. Despite years of efforts to absorb cuts in administration and the school system without impacting schools, the downturn in the national economy has had an impact on state and local government funding that does affect schools this year. Even as student enrollment increases to 140,000 students, the budget cuts mean that schools will have fewer teachers with fewer resources. Class sizes will be larger. Fewer elective courses will be offered.

More News

Keith Sutton Takes Board of Education Oath of Office

Keith Sutton was sworn into office as the newest member of the Wake County Board of Education on August 18. Sutton fills the District 4 seat on the Board of Education left vacant when Rosa Gill was named to the NC House of Representatives.

Sutton works as the Legislative Affairs Program Manager for the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Prior to that, he worked as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Triangle Urban league.

Sutton has served as a member of the Wake County Public School System's Healthy Schools Task Force. He has served as a member of the school system's Raising Achievement Closing Gaps Task Force. He was a member of the Blue Ribbon Panel on the Future of Wake County sponsored by the Wake County Board of Commissioners, Wake County Mayors Association and the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce.

School Board Seeks to Fill District 6 Vacancy

The school board has begun to receive applications from persons interested in filling the District 6 school board seat left vacant by the resignation of Beverley Clark from the school board August 15. The board has received applications to date from Carolyn Bond Morrison and Julie Nau.

Candidates interested in serving on the Wake County Board of Education must reside in District 6 to be eligible for the vacated seat. District 6 encompasses Central Raleigh. Information from interested candidates should be submitted to the Board of Education by noon on Thursday, August 27, 2009, to be considered for the vacancy. You can find more information on the application process here.

Board Receives Update on Curriculum Management Audit

At its August 18 meeting, WCPSS Chief Academic Officer Donna Hargens updated the Board of Education on the school administration's work in responding to the 2007 Curriculum Management Audit. Hargens said the audit continues to serve as a “blueprint” for the district for continuous improvement. Hargens highlighted six areas of progress:

• Learning and teaching guide
• Inventory of programs
• Data training modules
• Job description templates
• Policy development revision
• Long range planning

Administrators have completed eight quarters of work, nearly half of the 17 quarters of work mapped out. More details of the six areas of progress are described in the Curriculum Matters newsletter.

Students Benefit from Early Dismissal Wednesdays

For the nearly 100,000 students attending WCPSS traditional calendar schools, August 26 will be something new and different. It will be their first early dismissal Wednesday.

Across WCPSS for the first time this school year, all schools are releasing students one hour early on Wednesdays to provide teachers time for professional learning team meetings. Teachers use this time to discuss the needs of individual students and ways to help those students succeed academically.

You can find more information on early dismissal Wednesdays here.

Board Approves Contract for Widening Of Leesville Road

At its August 18 meeting, the Board of Education gave approval to a single-prime construction contract to C.C. Mangum Company, LLC, in the amount of $253,355.15 for the widening of Leesville Road from Farm Ridge Road to I-540. WCPSS’ cost for surveying, design, testing, and construction administration is estimated to be $152,000.

Per agreement between the City of Raleigh and the school board dated May 1, 2008, the City of Raleigh pays for the road construction, while WCPSS pays for the surveying, design, testing, and construction administration.

Board reviews policy updates

At its meeting August 18, the Board of Education gave final approval to revisions for:

• Policy 1324: Minutes
• Policy 1340: Board Standing Committees
• Policy 1350: Ad Hoc Committees
• Policy 7130 - Student Safety and Conduct While on Student Transportation
• Policy 7140: Student Transportation Insurance

The review of board policies is based on a recommendation from the curriculum management audit.