April 6, 2011

Top News

Board Reviews Budget Proposal

The Wake County Board of Education is a step closer to adopting a budget for fiscal year 2011-12. The Board held a public hearing on the school system budget to hear citizens’ feedback on the spending plan during its April 5 meeting. Two people spoke. In the board’s committee of the whole meeting, WCPSS Chief Business Officer David Neter and Budget Officer Terry Kimzey reviewed answers to questions board members had presented on the budget.

You can find these questions and answers online.

Superintendent Tata says the budget recognizes the serious financial constraints facing our community and identifies both spending reductions as well as the repurposing of funds in key areas to support our budget priorities, which are to:

• protect teachers and classrooms,
• strategically set the conditions for all schools to be in high demand, and
• operate the Wake County Public School System more efficiently.

The superintendent asked the board to take action on several budget related items: reductions in assistant principals’ months of employment and action to protect several small under enrolled elementary schools.

You can find the superintendent’s budget proposal online.

Board Approves Reduction in Assistant Principals’ Months of Employment

Also at April 5 meeting, the Board of Education approved a reduction in force for assistant principals. The board action follows policy 3430 and brings about a reduction in salary and benefit costs. The action is based on a detailed review of the 2011-12 budget and is part of the significant budget reductions that began in December 2008 and have continued with the national downturn in the economy.

Board Approves Budget Action to Protect Small Elementary Schools

Several under-utilized elementary schools will be getting some additional assistance, thanks to Board approval of Superintendent Tata’s proposal to use $895,661 from local funds in the 2011-12 budget to provide 190 teacher months of employment. Superintendent Tata plans to use these additional resources for smaller schools with significant changes in student enrollment to provide students equal access to a high quality instructional program prior to the establishment of the new assignment plan.  The schools that may receive this assistance include Aversboro, Bailywick, Hillburn Drive, Jeffery's Grove and Root.

More News

Board Approves Construction Documents for Rolesville High (H6)

Progress on the proposed Rolesville High School continues with board approval of construction documents for the project.  The board action provides the staff authorization to advertise for the remainder of the construction of Rolesville High School.

On Feb. 1, 2011, the board approved the award of a waterline extension under the Rolesville Bypass as one of the fifty-four work packages for this project. This authorization request is for the remaining work packages.

The current project budget is $72,735,816, of which $1 million is from PLAN 2004 Start-Up, $71,007,898 from CIP 2006, and $727,918 from Offsite (Public) Improvements. Approximately $3.5 million of additional funding will be needed to pay for offsite improvements. The additional funds will be requested in the spring of 2011 after the project bids.

You can find more on Rolesville High here.

Board Approves School Capacity Study

The Board of Education approved a change to the service contract with consultant Fanning/Howey Associates, Inc. for a capacity study for each of the 163 schools in the WCPSS. The data generated by this study will be used by the task force charged with developing the new student assignment process. The consultant will complete an assessment by comparing the actual use of each facility with its program of spaces, and will use an objective process to determine overall capacity. This change increases the time and material contract amount from $94,582 to $147,910. Funding is available from the total project budget of $1,675,374 for CIP 2006 Assessment of Existing Facilities.

Board Modifies Policy, drops standing committees

At its April 5 meeting, the Board of Education modified Policy 1340, dropping the requirement for standing committees. The board subsequently suspended committee activity for six months, with the exception of the Economically Disadvantaged Student Performance Task Force. At the end of the six-month period, the Board will re-visit the committee issue.

Board Approves Requests from High Schools for Tuition-Based Summer School

Additional summer learning opportunities will be available thanks to board approval of requests from five high schools to offer courses during the summer for first-time credit. The cost for students who elect to take the course will be $360. This tuition will fund the teacher and instructional materials required. The dates for the courses will be the same as the NovaNet summer school, July 5- August 9.

The schools and courses they plan to offer include:

• Apex High School – Honors Algebra II and Honors PreCalculus
• Enloe – Honors Algebra II, Honors Geometry, Honors Pre-Calculus and Healthful Living
• Green Hope - Honors Algebra II and Honors Pre-Calculus
• Millbrook – Healthful Living
• Panther Creek – Honors Chemistry, Honors Algebra II, and Honors Pre-Calculus

Board Approves Leadership Summer Institute at Centennial Campus Magnet Middle School

Centennial Campus Magnet Middle School will offer a “Learning and Leading with Results Summer Camp” from June 20-24, 2011 on the school’s campus. The Board approved the request that aims to strengthen the Center for Leadership and Technology pathway of Combs Elementary, Centennial Middle and Southeast Raleigh High School. Current and rising 6th grade students gain the necessary tools to become effective leaders in the school, community and world. Activities will include team building activities, technology instruction, keynote and small session leadership speakers and daily physical activity through leadership games. This will be the third year the school has offered its summer program. The cost for student participants would be $185.00 for the week or $350 for two siblings. Scholarships will be available through Fund 6. Lunch will be provided daily. Transportation will not be provided. The program will be staffed by teachers who will be funded through the school’s revenue from institute fees.

Board Approves Joint Use Agreement for Cary Elementary School Parking Area

Also at its April 5 meeting, the Board of Education approved a joint use agreement with the Town of Cary. In August 2003, the Board of Education conveyed approximately 1.9 acres of land containing the former Cary Elementary School building to the Town of Cary (Town). The Town has completed and renovation of the building for use as the Cary Community Arts Center and will require access to WCPSS property to effect improvements and for parking use. Board and Town staffs, the school’s principal, and consultants have collaborated to analyze the impact to Board property and to the operation of Cary Elementary School and have identified solutions that will minimize any adverse affects and limit liability to the extent reasonably possible. The terms of the Joint Use Agreement implementing these solutions include the Board’s granting the necessary access and use of the existing carpool lane and staff parking area. In exchange, the Town shall provide all road markings, striping, and signs necessary for the operation of the carpool drop-off area and the associated maintenance. Town will be responsible for the proper demolition of the old house located on Board property in order to construct 10 new side street parking spaces and enlarge the existing Storm water Best Management Practices (BMP) along Faculty Avenue as required. Town shall also construct 17 additional parking spaces and new BMP within the staff parking as required for the additional impervious surface. Additional light fixtures and the associated utility costs for the larger parking areas will be the responsibility of the Town.

Board meeting comments

You can hear comments from Board Chair Ron Margiotta here and from Superintendent Tata here.