School Connection
Dec. 18, 2003
Goal 2008: WCPSS is committed to academic excellence. By 2008, 95 percent of students in grades 3 through 12 will be at or above grade level as measured by the State of North Carolina End-of-Grade or Course tests, and all student groups will demonstrate high growth.
MCNEAL NAMED FINALIST FOR NATIONAL SUPERINTENDENT OF THE
YEAR
Superintendent Bill McNeal is one of four finalists for the
National Superintendent of the Year award. McNeal was named
2004 Superintendent of the Year in October by the North Carolina
Association of School Administrators and became North Carolina's
nominee for the national honor, coordinated by the American
Association of School Administrators.
"NCASA selected Bill McNeal as our national nominee and state winner because of the leadership he has provided in a large, urban school district," said Katherine W. Joyce, NCASA Interim Executive Director. "Bill has worked to promote academic growth and respect for diversity, while managing issues related to rapid growth and building community support. These leadership qualities personify the National Superintendent of the Year and make Bill the ideal candidate to win that award."
McNeal and the other finalists will go to Washington D.C. with their spouses in early January for two days with the judging committee and others who will make the choice for this honor. The 2004 Superintendent of the Year will be presented at the association's conference in February in San Francisco.
"I am surprised and thrilled to be given this additional honor. However, in reality, this is a recognition of the outstanding work that our students, teachers and staff are doing everyday in classrooms across Wake County," McNeal said. I am thankful for their effort and constant support. To be recognized by one's peers across the state is indeed an honor; to be considered on a national level is personally, a highlight of my career."
WAKE TEACHER NAMED FINALIST FOR STATE TEACHER OF THE YEAR
At the Tuesday (Dec. 16) meeting of the Board of Education,
Superintendent Bill McNeal announced good news for teacher
Johnny Gatlin, Wake County's Teacher of the Year. McNeal said
Gatlin is one of the 10 finalists to be considered for North
Carolina Teacher of the Year. The State Superintendent of
Education will recognize the state Teacher of the Year in
April of 2004.
WCPSS MAGNET PROGRAM SETS INFORMATION SESSIONS
The WCPSS Magnet Program has scheduled information sessions
and school visits to help parents interested in applying for
their children to attend magnet school in 2004-2005. Information
sessions on elementary schools will be held at Middle Creek
Elementary Jan. 12, Wakefield Elementary Jan. 13, Davis Drive
Elementary Jan 14, and Hilburn Drive Elementary Jan. 15. Sessions
begin at 6:30 p.m. and there will be representatives from
a number of magnet elementary schools at each meeting. Information
sessions on middle schools will be held at Middle Creek Elementary
Jan. 15, Wakefield Elementary Jan. 20, Davis Drive Elementary
Jan. 21 and Hilburn Drive Elementary Jan. 22. Sessions begin
at 6:30 p.m. and there will be representatives from a number
of magnet middle schools at each meeting. School visits are
scheduled for Jan. 27, 28 and 29 and Feb. 3 and 4. For more
information, call the WCPSS Magnet Center at 501-7900 or visit
their website at http://www.wcpss.net/magnet
BOARD APPROVES ENCOURAGING HEALTHY CHOICES POLICY
At its Tuesday (Dec. 16) meeting, the Board of Education gave
first reading to a new policy, "Encouraging Healthy Choices."
The proposal presented by board member Bill Fletcher and supported
by five board members addresses sex education instruction
included in middle school health classes and a high school
health elective. Fletcher said the policy was based on the
state's statute, which calls for school systems to provide
sex education instruction based on abstinence until marriage.
Fletcher said the policy would expand abstinence guidelines
to cover all grades and all subjects. The policy could receive
final approval as early as the Jan. 6 meeting of the Board
of Education and it will also be discussed in the board's
program committee.
BOARD DISCUSSES YEAR-ROUND SCHOOLS
At the Tuesday (Dec. 16) meeting of the committee of the whole,
Board of Education members discussed proposals for assignment
of students to year-round elementary schools next year. Superintendent
Bill McNeal asked the board and its two newly elected members
to review proposals for assigning base populations of students
to year-round schools. The board members agreed to assign
a base of high needs students at year-round schools to help
the schools more closely reflect the student populations of
nearby elementary schools. They also discussed the impact
of assigning students to year-round schools. They agreed families
who preferred the traditional calendar could apply for a transfer,
where they would discuss their request in a meeting with a
panel of board members..
APPOINTMENTS
At its Tuesday (Dec. 16) meeting, the Board of Education named
Douglas Hooper principal of Adams Elementary. Hooper has served
as an assistant principal at Wake County year-round schools
since 2001. He is currently the assistant principal at Morrisville
Elementary. Earlier he had served an assistant principal splitting
his time between Morrisville Elementary and Wilburn Elementary.
Hooper has also worked as a senior administrator for WCPSS
Special Education Services and a year-round middle school
teacher.
BOARD APPROVES DRIVER EDUCATION CONTRACT
At its Tuesday (Dec. 16) meeting, the Board of Education approved
the 2004-2005 contract for Driver Education Program Services
with Jordan Driving School, Inc. The total projected contract
cost is $2,080,000.00 based on 10,000 students. The N.C. Department
of Transportation Allocation will fund all costs of the program
for Driver Education and. no local funds will be used.
BOARD APPROVES INCREASE IN POE PRE-KINDERGARTEN FEE
At its Tuesday (Dec. 16) meeting, the Board of Education approved
an increase in the fee for the pre-kindergarten program at
Poe Elementary School. The fee will be increased by $600 to
a total of $5,000 per year. The fee increase would balance
the school's 2004-05 pre-kindergarten budget, helping to cover
the increases in salaries, costs, and daycare licensure.
BOARD APPROVES CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS: FOR NEW HIGH SCHOOL
At its Tuesday (Dec. 16) meeting, the Board of Education approved
the construction documents designed by Boney, PLLC for the
construction of Panther Creek High (H4). This new PLAN 2004
high school's design is a reuse of the Knightdale High prototype.
BOARD APPROVES SCHEMATIC DESIGNS
At its Tuesday (Dec. 16) meeting, the Board of Education approved
schematic design documents for two schools. The board approved
schematic design documents prepared by Cherry Huffman Architects,
P.A. for the PLAN 2004 construction of Millbrook High addition
and renovations. The board approved the schematic design documents
prepared by Gürel Architecture, Inc. for the PLAN 2000
construction of Wiley Elementary life safety improvements.
INSIDE THE NEWS
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction reports "Wright
Around the World:
Public Schools Partner in Flight Celebration on Dec. 17"
The Beacon of LEARN NC reports on education
Time Warner News 14 reports School News
CNN reports on education
The National School Board Association reports the School Board News
CALENDAR
|
Dec. 22 - Jan. 2 |
Winter break |
|
Jan. 5 |
Teacher Work Day |
|
Jan. 6 |
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Magnet School Information Session |
|
Jan. 6 |
2 p.m. Committee of the Whole-Board Conference Room |
|
Jan. 6 |
4 p.m. Board Meeting-Board Room |
|
Jan. 13 |
12:30 p.m. Facilities Committee Meeting-Board Conference Room |
|
Jan. 13 |
2 p.m. Community Relations Meeting-Board Conference Room |
|
Jan. 19 |
Holiday |
|
Jan. 20 |
2 p.m. Committee of the Whole-Board Conference Room |
|
Jan. 20 |
4 p.m. Board Meeting-Board Room |
|
Jan. 21 |
12 p.m. Joint Luncheon-County Commissioners and the Board of Education-Board Conference Room |
|
Jan. 21 |
2 p.m. Program Committee Meeting-Board Conference Room |
You can find more information on school events at http://www.wcpss.net/Calendars
School Connection is published electronically every other week for everyone interested in the Wake County Public School System. Is what you read in this edition helpful? What information would you like to see in future editions? Contact me by calling 850-1829 or e-mailing bposton@wcpss.net.
Bill Poston
Wake County Public School System
Communications Department
3600 Wake Forest Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611
Tell a friend about the School Connection and encourage them
to sign up at
http://www.wcpss.net/online_newsletters/the_school_connection