School Connection

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.

Feb. 2, 2006


BOARD REVIEWS SURVEYS IN SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH
At its Jan. 31 meeting, the Board of Education reviewed the results of the superintendent search survey conducted Jan. 12-24. Alison Schafer of the NC School Board Association described the results of the online survey that asked the community about characteristics important in the next Wake School Superintendent. More than 1,500 people took the community survey with just over 1,000 indicating they had children attending WCPSS schools. The top characteristics identified as most important by largest number of persons responding to the survey included:
-motivates staff, students, parents and community to work together to provide an outstanding program.
-should be an advocate for our schools.
-demonstrates leadership in long-range, facility and strategic planning.
-exhibits understanding of school finance, budgeting and the management of business affairs.
-demonstrates leadership in ensuring safe environments for students and staff.
-exhibits understanding of current school programs.

More than 900 WCPSS staff members responded to the survey and gave high rankings to the same characteristics as well as:
-can effectively represent the school system at the local and state levels.
-demonstrates strong human relations skills.

In closed session, the board reviewed applications from internal candidates for the job. Earlier the board agreed to follow school system policy to consider internal candidates before launching a national search. The board began its search after Bill McNeal announced he would retire June 30 to take a job as Executive Director of the NC Association of School Administrators.

BOARD PROVIDES GRANDFATHERING FOR MOST TENTH GRADERS
At its Jan. 17 meeting, the Board of Education voted to allow rising tenth-grade students who would otherwise be reassigned to an existing school in the 2006 student assignment plan to transfer back to their original school. In order to ensure that the two new schools will have a viable student population, rising tenth-grade students assigned to Panther Creek High and Holly Springs High will not be eligible for the automatic "grandfathering." Families taking advantage of grandfathering must provide their own transportation.

GROWTH MANAGEMENT LISTENS TO COMMENTS, REFINES PROPOSAL
The WCPSS Growth Management Department has been reviewing the calls, e-mails and posted comments received Dec. 12-31 on the draft student assignment proposal. Dr. Ramey Beavers and his staff have used the input to refine the proposal for presentation to the Board of Education Feb. 14. The school board will conduct public hearings March 1, 2 and 6 and discuss the proposal in a work session March 8. The board expects to give the proposal final approval on March 21. For more information, check out the full Growth Management Timeline for the 2006-07 Assignment Plan.

MAGNET SCHOOL APPLICATION TIME NEARS
Families interested in applying to WCPSS magnet schools have had a chance to research the schools at the WCPSS magnet school fair, magnet school information sessions and magnet school visits. Magnet applications were made available in all schools this week. Applications must be postmarked or time-stamped electronically no earlier than Feb. 6 and no later than Feb. 24.

Applicants should complete either a paper application or an electronic one, but not both. Once entered online/mailed, applications will not be modified. So long as the application meets the "on-time" criteria, how early or late in the official application period that it has been submitted has no effect on an applicant's chances.

BOARD DISCUSSES MULTI-TRACK, YEAR-ROUND HIGH SCHOOLS
At its Jan. 17 committee of the whole meeting, the Board of Education discussed the difficulties in creating multi-track year-round high schools. Assistant superintendent Chuck Dulaney explained why WCPSS staff don't recommend that schedule. Part of the challenge is the massive logistical hurdle in trying to make the diverse curriculum at high schools available for all students regardless of which track they're on. Dulaney reported that an existing high school using a traditional calendar can serve 2100 students through the utilization of mobile/modular classrooms, and the same facility can theoretically serve 2800 students through the assignment of students to four tracks, each serving 700 students. However, in order to provide a full curriculum program to all students on each track, and in order to provide twelve month administrative, clerical, and security services, the school district would need to spend approximately $3.3 million per year in local funds to supplement funding allotted by the state. The district could spend less, but it would result in limiting some courses (such as some Advanced Placement or Technical Education courses) to particular tracks and restrict access to some students. Dulaney said WCPSS staff could not identify any four-track year-round high schools currently in operation in the United States. Districts that tried the schedule, abandoned it.

BOARD APPROVES PROPOSED LEARN AND EARN EARLY COLLEGE
At its Jan. 17 meeting, the Board of Education approved naming the school system's first early college program the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences. The board also approved the implementation grant to help fund the school. The purpose of the initiative is to allow students to graduate after five years with a high school diploma and 30 or more hours of transferable college credit. Students enrolled in this school will represent the demographics of the system, with many of these being first-generation college attendees. The Learn and Earn Early College, which is to open in 2006-07, will be located on the Wake Technical Community College Health Sciences Campus and serve 50 rising ninth-grade students the first year. When fully operational, the school could potentially serve 400 students. WCPSS is partnering in the project with Wake Tech and WakeMed.

NATIONAL SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION PLANS SITE VISIT TO WCPSS
At its Jan. 17 meeting, the Board of Education received information that WCPSS will host a visit from the National School Boards Association's ITTE: Education Technology Program. The visit is set for March 12 - 14. The theme of the visit is Teaching, Learning, and Leading with Technology. Highlights include visits to schools where participants will see the use of technology by teachers and students that support instruction. Community partners are joining the WCPSS as hosts for the NSBA event.

CALENDAR

Feb. 2 7 p.m., Garner Magnet High School Visit
Feb. 6-24 Magnet application acceptance period
Feb. 7 1 p.m., Committee of the Whole-Board Conference Room; 4 p.m., Board Meeting - Board Room
Feb. 8 Community Relations Committee - cancelled; Human Resources Committee Meeting - cancelled; 2:30 p.m., Instructional Program Committee Meeting - Board Conference Meeting
Feb. 14 9:30 a.m., Facilities Committee Meeting-Board Conference Room; 12:30 p.m., Policy Committee Meeting - Board Conference Room; 2:30 p.m., Finance Committee Meeting -Board Conference Meeting
Feb. 14 4 p.m., Special Board Meeting
Feb. 15 9 a.m., Joint Meeting - County Commissioners and the Board of Education (Downtown)
Feb. 16, 17 9 a.m., Planning Meeting - Board of Education
Feb. 21 2 p.m., Committee of the Whole - Board Conference Room; 4 p.m., Board Meeting-Board 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/