April 23, 2010

Top News

Board Approves Proposed 2010-11 Budget

At its April 20 meeting, the Board of Education approved the 2010-11 proposed budget.  The budget addresses increasing costs and decreasing revenues for the school system. Four new schools will open and an additional 3,800 students are expected for 2010-11.

The budget adopted by the board includes significant reductions in Central Services, including eliminating the jobs of 68 current employees as well as the elimination of 57 vacant positions. There are significant reductions in Central Services non-personnel budgets also. Reductions in spending include $7 million in Facilities Services, $2.5 million in Technology Services and $1.1 million in Instructional Services.

The board is required to adopt a proposed budget prior to local and state funding for schools being finalized. The governor presented a proposed budget on April 20 that will be debated by the legislature and adopted later this year.

The board budget now goes to the Wake County Board of Commissioners who will approve a county budget for 2010-11 that will include the county appropriation to the school system. If there is a difference between the board's proposed budget and final revenues included in state and county funding, the system will make additional changes.

Board Approves 2010-11 Bell Schedule

At is April 20 meeting, the Board of Education approved the bell schedule for 2010-11. The schedule for 2010-11 is similar to the 2008-09 schedule with the addition of four new schools: Heritage High, Holly Grove Middle, Mills Park Middle and Alston Ridge Elementary. You can find the schedule here.

Board Approves Resolution of Commitment to Efforts of Voluntary Desegregation

At its April 20 meeting, the Board of Education gave second reading approval to a resolution of commitment to efforts of voluntary desegregation. This resolution can be included in the application for the U.S. Department of Education’s 2010-2013 Magnet Schools Assistance Grant on behalf of Brentwood Magnet Elementary School, Smith Magnet Elementary School, and Millbrook Magnet High School. You can find the resolution here.

More News

Today is Deadline for Magnet/Calendar Application Decisions

Families who applied for magnet and calendar application decision for the 2010-11 school year should notify the school system by today (April 23) about their decision to accept the application assignment seat, or remain in their assigned school. If you wish to accept your application assignment seat, you don't have to do anything. If you don't want the offered application seat, you need to do so online (choose DECLINE on the website). Families who need assistance with this process may call Growth and Planning at 919-850-1921 or the Magnet Resource Center at 919-501-7900.

Online Grandfathering Period Runs Through April 25

Through Sunday, April 25, eligible families may request online that their children remain at their current school under the school system’s grandfathering rules. The simple online request that worked well last year will be used again this year as a way of reducing paperwork for families and reducing processing time for staff. Families eligible to participate in this online grandfathering process will receive a letter of notification in the next few days. For families who use the online grandfather process to submit their transfer request, no additional paper "Request for Transfer" is needed. Families who miss the online grandfather window can still submit a paper Request for Transfer during the May 14 - June 1 transfer period.

Board Approves Construction Documents For Rolesville Middle (M-6)

At its April 20 meeting, the Board of Education approved construction documents for Rolesville Middle School and gave approval to staff to put project up for bid. Staff will present the award of these contracts to the board for approval on June 15, 2010. After reallocation of funds (subject to Board of Commissioners approval), funding will be available from the total project budget of $42,935,428, of which $42,509,271 is from CIP 2006 and $426,157 is currently from CIP 2006 Offsite (Public) Improvements. It is expected that the total Offsite Improvements budget commitment will ultimately be approximately $1,900,000.

The board approved Change Order No. 4 to Skinner, Lamm & Highsmith, P.A. in the amount of $394,907 to fund the design consultant agreement to include the design of off-site road improvements which are required by the N. C. Department of Transportation, and revisions to the site plan which are required by the Town of Rolesville.  After reallocation of funds (subject to Board of Commissioners approval), funding will be available from the total project budget of $42,935,428, of which $42,509,271 is from CIP 2006 and $426,157 is currently from CIP 2006 Offsite (Public) Improvements. It is expected that the total Offsite Improvements budget commitment will ultimately be approximately $1,900,000.

Board Receives update on H-6 Alternative Sites

At its April 20 meeting, the Board of Education heard from Assistant Superintendent Joe Desormeaux about alternative sites for locating the proposed H-6 high school. Desormeaux outlined WCPSS staff action since the board asked for investigation of two alternative sites in mid-February. Staff held meetings immediately to make arrangement for site visits which occurred on March 8. More meetings were held that month resulting in authorization for property appraisal. The appraisals were due on April 20 and the school system anticipates a response from owners by the end of the month. In May, staff will work to put the property under contract for site investigation. The site work will be completed in mid September with presentations to the county commissioners in October. If the property is purchased by the end of October, the 17 month design and permitting process could begin. Desormeaux said once design was complete and permits were acquired, it would take approximately 26 months to build the school.

Board Receives Analysis of Administrative Space

At its April 20 meeting, the board heard from Don Haydon, Chief of Facilities and Operations, an update on school system administrative space. Haydon noted the board had approved selection of Grubb & Ellis/Thomas Linderman Graham, Inc., on November 3, 2009, for professional services related to the leasing of administrative space. With the expiration of the Crossroads II lease on April 30, 2011, and in light of the recent significant changes in the economy and real estate market conditions, Grubb & Ellis was asked to provide a strategic analysis of administrative space use and needs to assist the board in acquiring the most suitable and appropriate solution. The analysis compares possible scenarios for addressing administrative office needs addressing 1) improvement of operating efficiencies and service to the public through better use of space, 2) reducing occupancy costs by downsizing and capitalizing on current market conditions, and 3) improving flexibility to better accommodate changes over time.

Board Approves Millbrook High Request for Tuition-Based Summer School

At its April 20 meeting, the Board of Education approved the request from Millbrook High School to offer Healthful Living during the summer for first-time credit. The cost for students who elect to take the course will be $360. The precedent for offering tuition-based courses during the summer was set by Wakefield, Green Hope, Enloe and Broughton High Schools. The dates for the course will be the same as the Nova Net summer school (July 6 through August 10). There is no increase in staff or faculty costs. Tuition for students taking the Healthful Living course will be utilized to fund the teacher and any instructional materials required.