School Connection

March 19, 2004

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.


WCPSS TEACHER OF THE YEAR SEMIFINALISTS NAMED
WCPSS educators have recognized 20 teachers as semi-finalists for Wake County Public School System's 2004-2005 Teacher of the Year. The semifinalists include

Grace A. Martin, Leesville Road Elementary
Marcella C. Cox, Davis Drive Middle
Teresa L. Saunders, Dillard Drive Elementary
E. Anne Cunningham, Carnage Middle
Brandy Garrett, Creech Road Elementary
Michael E. Gilliam, Middle Creek High
Janine Abbate Maldonado, Fox Road Elementary
Meredith C. Soltesz, Sanderson High
Heather Emery Pelletier, Douglas Elementary
Michael J. Clinkscales, Broughton High
Pamela C. Lamm, Knightdale Elementary
Lara Spence Fricke, Wakefield Middle
Pamela G. Karkow, North Ridge Elementary
Susan M. Lobasso, Cary High
Karen D'Elia, Reedy Creek Elementary
Mary Kay McClees, Weatherstone Elementary
Jennifer Taylor, Timber Drive Elementary
Claire Bambara, West Lake Elementary
Barbara J. Sorensen, Penny Road Elementary
Daniel Trimpey, Centennial Campus Middle

The selection committee will now visit each semi-finalists for a classroom observation. Then committee members will determine the 10 finalists. A reception will be held in April to honor the semi-finalists and name the finalists. The 2004-2005 Teacher of the Year will be named at a banquet on Thursday, May 13, 2004.

PUBLIC HEARINGS HELD ON GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN
More than 100 people spoke to Board of Education members in public hearings held March 17. Parents talked to Board chair Susan Parry, Patti Head, Ron Margiotta, Bill Fletcher and Beverley Clark at Green Hope High School's auditorium. They talked with Kathryn Watson Quigg, Amy White, Rosa Gill and Carol Parker at the East Wake High School gym.

Parents commented on the growth management proposed plan the board received March 2 to fill the seven new schools that will open in 2004-2005. The WCPSS Growth Management Department held 11 meetings last fall to collect information from the community to design a first proposal. Growth Management published it Jan. 21 and received more than 1,800 public comments that helped shape the final proposed plan delivered to the school board.

In developing the plan, the Growth Management Department worked to fill new schools, relieve overcrowding and make efficient use of existing schools. They also listened to parents' priorities about distance, stability, alleviating crowding, keeping neighborhoods together and providing grandfathering.

2003-2004 WCPSS enrollment is 108,970. Projected enrollment for 2004-2005 is 113,150. The proposed growth management plan includes 7,838 students, 6,493 students are reassigned and 1,345 students are moved for year-round transportation changes.

The board will review public comment and meet in a work session to discuss the growth management plan at 12:30 p.m. March 23. The board is expected to vote on the plan at its March 30 meeting.

BOARD RECEIVES BELL SCHEDULE PROPOSAL FOR 2004-2005
At its Tuesday (March 16) meeting, the Board of Education heard a proposal for the 2004-2005 bell scheduled from WCPSS Transportation Director Vern Hatley. The proposed bell schedule adds open and close times for seven new schools and changes the schedule for four existing eastern Wake County schools.

Carver, Knightdale and Zebulon elementary schools would have a 9:15 to 3:45 schedule under the proposal. Hodge Road Elementary would operate 8:30 to 3:00.

Forestville, Highcroft, Jones Dairy and Turner Creek elementary schools would have a 9:15 to 3:45 schedule. Heritage Middle would operate 8:15 to 3:00; Salem Middle 7:30 to 2:15; and Knightdale High 8:05 to 3:00.

The proposed bell schedule modifications open and close schools at times the Transportation Department can more effectively and efficiently provide bus service to students. The board will be asked to vote on the proposal April 13.

WAKE EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP CONGRAULATES MCNEAL
At the Tuesday (March 16) meeting of the Board of Education, the Wake Education Partnership congratulated Superintendent Bill McNeal. The Partnership's Board chair John Mabe read a resolution congratulating McNeal for his selection as National Superintendent of the Year by the American Association of School Administrators. Mabe congratulated McNeal for the leadership he has shown in Wake County.

BOARD EXPANDS JOB SHARING OPTIONS
At its Tuesday (March 16) meeting, the Board of Education authorized expanding job sharing opportunities. Twenty teachers currently work in job sharing positions. WCPSS began offering job sharing in accordance with 2002 Senate Bill 1443. The legislation allows classroom teachers who share equally a 40-hour per week position to receive benefits such as participation in the state retirement system, and pro rata health care.

Legislation from 2003 (Senate Bill 701), allows school boards to provide job sharing to employees other than classroom teachers, and in percentage splits other than 50 percent. The board agreed that the WCPSS Human Resources Department could expand job-sharing positions to include all 40-hour per week, school-based, certified instructional positions for the 2004-2005 school year. Toni Patterson, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources said that two employees would share equally in a position and that the success of job sharing should be evaluated to determine whether it should be expanded.

APPOINTMENT
At its Tuesday (March 16) meeting, the Board of Education named Barbara Crockett as principal at Wakefield Elementary School. Crockett has served as assistant principal at Wakefield Elementary since 1999. Prior to that she worked as an assistant principal at Bugg Elementary and principal at Olds Elementary.

BOARD RECOGNIZES WCPSS BUDGET STAFF
At its Tuesday (March 16) meeting, Board of Education chair Susan Parry and Board Finance Committee Chair Rosa Gill congratulated WCPSS Budget Officer Terri Kimzey and her staff for earning recognition from the Government Finance Officers Association. The association awarded the WCPSS Budget staff with its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. In order to receive the budget award, WCPSS had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. The award reflects the commitment of the school system and staff to meet the highest principles of governmental budgeting. The WCPSS Budget staff includes Kimzey, Meg Farris, Yadira Vasquez, Cherie Wiggs, Suzan Johnson, Jackie Pace and Eugenia Johnson.

BOARD HONORS EMPLOYEES WITH EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Twelve Wake County Public School System employees were recognized by the Board of Education with the WCPSS Employee Excellence Awards at the board's March 16 meeting.

The March 2004 Employee Excellence Awards were presented to Rick Anderson, Leesville Road Middle Teacher; Jamie Ayers, Wakefield Elementary Teacher; Ann Badders, Ballentine Elementary Teacher; Kelly Boylan, Middle Creek Elementary Teacher; Michael Trent Carter, WCPSS General Services Area Facilities Manager; Barbara Hatcher, WCPSS Construction Management Secretary; Mary Jones, Leesville Road Middle Teacher; Jackie Kellerhals, Carnage Middle Administrative Assistant; Tina Kestner, Vandora Springs Elementary Teacher; and Susan Ridgeway, Darrell Evans, and Brian Grealey, Southeast Raleigh High Teacher Assistants.

The Employee Excellence Awards were created to recognize Wake County school employees for their hard work, and providing one of the country's top-performing school districts. Employees are nominated for the honor and selected by a committee.

BOARD APPROVES DOUGLAS ELEMENTARY CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
At its Tuesday (March 16) meeting, the Board of Education approved construction documents for renovations and additions at Douglas Elementary. The $8,657,268 is funded through the PLAN 2004 School Building Program

BOARD APPROVES BRASSFIELD ELEMENTARY BIDS
At its Tuesday (March 16) meeting, the Board of Education approved bids for the roof replacement at Brassfield Elementary. The board awarded the single-prime contract to Eastern Corporation in the amount of $372,700. The project is funded through the PLAN 2000 School Building Program.

BOARD APPROVES HOLLY SPRINGS HIGH BIDS
At its Tuesday (March 16) meeting, the Board of Education approved bids for the construction of the new Holly Springs High School. The board awarded the general contract to DeVere Construction in an amount not to exceed $25,663,490; the plumbing contract to AJ Plumbing in an amount not to exceed $1,017,000; the mechanical contract to Central Heating and Air Conditioning in an amount not to exceed $3,701,910; and award of the electrical contract to LL Vann Electrical in an amount not to exceed $2,749,600. The project is funded through the PLAN 2004 School Building Program, along with $109,036 from Wake County Parks and Recreation and $350,000 from the Town of Holly Springs.

CHARACTER COUNTS: Pleasant Union introduces Character Ed
Every Monday, students at Pleasant Union Elementary see the latest adventures of Character Ed. He's a puppet who is the creation of guidance counselor Lavonda Mark. She works with students to write scripts they use to introduce the monthly character education trait on the school's morning news television report. Mark also uses Pleasant Union's teachers and students in a monthly video illustrated using a series of character education picture books accompanied with its own songbook. Mark makes a digital videotape of the book's illustrations, teacher and student singing, accompanying songs and Character Ed's introduction. She then edits the video into a final product they enjoy Monday mornings as a reminder of the month's character trait.

PIECES OF GOLD SHINES IN 21st YEAR
More than 800 Wake County students took the stage Thursday night (March 18) in the 21st annual Pieces of Gold at the BTI Center for the Performing Arts. Pieces of Gold is an annual arts extravaganza produced by the Wake County Public School System and Wake Education Partnership. In addition to the performing arts show, Gifts of Gold, a visual arts display, featured award-winning art from more than 100 students across Wake County. Students and teachers work throughout the year to produce performances that support the curriculum as well as entertain an enthusiastic audience. For more information about Pieces of Gold and Gifts of Gold, visit http://www.wakeedpartnership.org/Events/POG/Pieces_Of_Gold.htm.

REGISTER TO ATTEND WAKE EDUCATION SUMMIT
The seventh-annual Wake Education Summit, The "Journey to 2008: Planning, Process and Possibilities" will take place on April 29, 2004, from 7:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the McKimmon Center. With a focus on Goal 2008, participants will:
o Learn about planning around priorities set at last year's Summit;
o Review the alignment process of local, state and federal goals for student achievement; and
o Explore the possibilities of high school reform to meet the needs of all students.
To reserve your seat now, contact Lashley Russ at 821-7609, extension 38, or lruss@wakeedpartnership.org. For more information and complete list of host organizations, visit http://www.WakeEducationSummit.org.

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS HONOR FORMER WAKE COUNTY TEACHER
Two Wake County public students have been named the first winners of the Susan Ellis Roberts Scholarship. A.J. Klingenmaier, a senior at Southeast Raleigh High, and Kaleigh Klemm, a senior at Green Hope High, will each receive a $3,000 scholarship toward their university expenses. A.J. is an animator and cartoonist who plans to attend either UNC-Chapel Hill or the NC State University School of Design. Kaleigh is a dancer who plans to study elementary education at East Carolina University, Elon University, Virginia Commonwealth or UNC-Wilmington. Both students will be honored at a reception later this spring.

The Susan Ellis Roberts Scholarship was established to annually award a graduating Wake County public high school senior who has demonstrated a creative gift and is planning to pursue post-secondary education. The scholarship is dedicated to the memory of Susan Ellis Roberts, a former Wake County teacher who sought throughout her life and career to encourage creativity and leadership, particularly in those students she described as "diamonds in the rough."

CALENDAR

March 23

12:30 p.m. Board of Education work session, Board Conference Room

March 30

2 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting, Board Conference Room; 4 p.m. Board meeting, Board Room, 3600 Wake Forest Road

April 5-9

Spring break - Traditional calendar schools closed

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

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