March 26, 2010

Top News

Board Approves Resolution on Establishing Community Based Assignments

At its March 23 meeting, the Board of Education approved a resolution establishing a board directive for community-based student assignment. 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. You can read more about the resolution in the article Board of Education Approves Resolution on Community Based Assignment.

Board Approves Changes/Grandfathering for Three-Year Student Assignment Plan

At its March 23 meeting, the Board of Education approved some adjustments to the three year assignment plan and grandfathering rules for the 2010-11 school year. You can read more about the school board action in the article Board of Education Approves Student Assignment Changes for 2010-11.

Board Authorizes Search Committee for Superintendent

At its March 23 meeting, the Board of Education authorized Board Chair Ron Margiotta to appoint a Committee Chair and two additional Committee Members for a Superintendent Search Committee. The Committee will be an ad hoc committee and will be charged with the responsibility for developing a timeline and recommendations for the processes that will be utilized in selecting and employing a permanent Superintendent of Wake County Public School System. The Committee will report findings and recommendations to the Board of Education.

During the meeting, the board also ratified with a vote the decision to place Superintendent, Dr. Del Burns on Administrative Leave. Burns will remain on leave until his resignation is effective on June 30, 2010.

More News

Families Apply For 2010 Magnet and Calendar Schools

Families submitted 14,118 applications to attend WCPSS magnet and calendar schools in 2010-11. The applications for magnet schools and calendar (year-round and traditional) schools were accepted Feb. 8 to 28, and March 12 to 18. All applications were submitted online through the WCPSS website, except for sibling applications that were gathered from online intent forms submitted by parents of 2009-10 magnet, year-round, and traditional application students during January 2010.

There were a total of 7,670 magnet applications, 2,850 year-round applications and 1,776 traditional calendar applications.

A computer-based selection process takes place in which all applications are considered for vacancies. After this process is completed, families can use the number they received when completing the application to go online on April 8 to see their assignment.

Board Continues Review of Superintendent’s Budget Proposal

In its March 23 Committee of the Whole meeting, the Board of Education continued discussion of the Superintendent’s Budget Proposal for 2010-11. Chief Business Officer David Neter discussed questions board members have asked.

Several citizens offered comments at the budget public hearing March 23. The board will discuss the budget further in the April 6 Committee of the Whole meeting.

Board Approves Changing Policy Committee to a Standing Committee

At its March 23 meeting, the Board of Education approved making its Policy Committee a Standing Committee. This topic has been discussed by the Policy Committee at its March 10 meeting.

Board Directs Staff to Find Another Solution to 2010-11 Bell Schedule

At its March 23 meeting, the Board of Education directed WCPSS transportation staff to find another solution to the 2010-11 bell schedule. Transportation staff indicated additional schools and students for 2010-11 would require more time between the three tiered schedule with the third tier moving to 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Four new schools will open for 2010-11, and it is anticipated that 2,000 additional riders will be transported next school year. Transportation managers are looking at additional ways to make adjustments to the bell schedule to present to the board in its work session on Wednesday.

U.S. Education Assistant Secretary Visits Centennial Campus Magnet Middle

Assistant Secretary Thelma Melendez de Santa Ana visited Centennial Campus Magnet Middle
Yesterday while in Raleigh to speak to the NC Association of School Administrators annual conference. Dr. Melendez toured the school with Acting Superintendent Donna Hargens, Principal Edye Morris-Bryant. Dr. Melendez visited five classrooms and talked with eighth graders about their paperless classrooms where teachers and students use laptop computers. She also had a chance to meet with six student leaders and discuss their career goals. Dr. Melendez made time to visit the school despite flight delays that shortened her time in Raleigh. Accompanying Melendez on her visit was US Department of Education Deputy Assistant Secretary Carl Harris, former superintendent of the Durham Public Schools.

Wilburn Elementary Earns TAP Ambassador Award

Wilburn Elementary was one of four schools in the nation to be honored with the TAP Ambassador Award on March 20 at the 10th National TAP Conference: Leading Innovation through Teacher Effectiveness held in Washington, D.C.

The TAP Ambassador Award honors schools that have gone beyond their campuses to represent the principles of the TAP system and have assisted others in their states and regions. The honor comes with a financial prize of $5,000.

Wilburn Elementary Principal Jennifer Carnes was presented the award before the audience of 1,000 educators from across the nation attending the conference. Wilburn is in its second year as a TAP school and is the only TAP school in North Carolina.

Heath Named 2010 National Dance Educator of the Year

Ligon Magnet Middle School teacher Freddie-Lee Heath has been named the National Dance Educator of the Year (DEOY) by the Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).

Heath was presented the award at the alliance’s national convention held this month in Indianapolis.

A veteran dance educator, Heath has developed a new curriculum for Wake County Public Schools including Swing Dance, Dance in the Media, Video Dance, and Twist and Tone. His school tap company, Tapestry, has performed across NC including Magnet Schools of America Conference, NC Education Ball, Dance Showcase, and Pieces of Gold. He has taken Tapestry to New York City many times and has developed a working relationship with the Radio City Rockettes, who have conducted workshops with his students.

The K-12 National DEOY award recognizes effective teaching methods;that;inspire;students;towards;;comprehensive appreciation for dance as a performing art and healthy lifestyle.

Holly Springs Teacher Named State FCS Teacher of the Year

The North Carolina Association of Family and Consumer Sciences has named Paula Heidrick Teacher of the Year. Heidrick teaches Apparel Development courses at Holly Springs High School. She was chosen on the quality of her educational program. The judging was based on creativity, innovation, progressive approach to subject matter, methods of stimulating student growth and involvement, and impact of program beyond the classroom. Heidrick's high level of student success and her incorporation of service learning into the standard course of study made her an excellent candidate for this award. She will be the North Carolina candidate for the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences National Teacher of the Year for 2011.

Wakefield High Teacher Named Environmental Educator of the Year

The NC Wildlife Federation has named Wakefield High agriculture and horticulture teacher Jodi Riedel the Environmental Educator of the Year. This is the state's highest honor for Environmental Education. Riedel spent two years developing a forestry curriculum through which she has taught more than 700 students. She has also given training workshops to other teachers through the North Carolina Science Teachers Association Conference. Riedel will be honored at the 47th Annual Governor's Conservation Achievement Awards Banquet on September 18, 2010 at 6 p.m. at the Hilton RTP in Durham.