SCHOOL CONNECTION
April 4, 2003
2003 Goal: By 2003, 95 percent of students tested will be
at or above grade level as measured by NC End-of-Grade testing
at grades 3 and 8.
SUPERINTENDENT MCNEAL PRESENTS 2003-2004 BUDGET PROPOSAL
Wake Superintendent Bill McNeal presented a $785,098,855 operating
budget for 2003-2004 to the board of education at its Tuesday
(April 1) meeting. McNeal said the budget is needed with two
new schools opening, 3,600 new students expected, and the
district's continued focus on academics. McNeal said the school
system's 95 percent goal, the Leandro lawsuit in the North
Carolina courts, the state's ABC accountability program and
the new federal No Child Left Behind law have a common element,
getting students to grade level.
McNeal said studies of school system management have found good stewardship including last year's report requested by the county commissioners and school board. He noted that students are academically successful with nearly 90 percent of students at grade level and record achievement on test scores.
Associate Superintendent Del Burns told the board the budget includes $9.3 million in reductions from last year's base budget and $3.3 million from school system fund balance. He said the budget document incorporates recommendations from the Citizens Advisory Committee such as making a business case for additional funding requests.
BOARD APPROVES GROWTH MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL
At its Tuesday (April 1) meeting, the Board of Education approved
a growth management plan for 2003-2004 that fills two new
schools in Holly Springs and makes best use of current facilities
as another 3,600 students are expected to enter school next
year. By May 15, all parents will be notified where their
child will attend school for 2003-2004. Parents will be able
to request transfers between May 15 and June 2.
BOARD APPROVES CAPS FOR THREE SCHOOLS
At its Tuesday (April 1) meeting, the Board of Education approved
resolutions capping enrollment at three elementary schools
as part of the newly adopted growth management plan.
The board's resolution established a cap of 925 students at Olive Chapel. The board designated Yates Mill Elementary as the overflow school for Olive Chapel Elementary. Last year, Penny Road Elementary served as the overflow school for Olive Chapel. Students who were assigned to Penny Road this year and their younger siblings entering school will remain at Penny Road for 2003-2004. The date by which parents will need to establish residence is April 26, 2002.
The board's resolution established a cap of 625 students at Brassfield and Pleasant Union elementary schools. The board designated Lynn Road Elementary as the overflow school for Brassfield and Lead Mine for Pleasant Union. The date by which parents will need to establish residence is May 1, 2003.
The 2002-2003 20th day enrollment at Olive Chapel was 988.
Enrollment at Brassfield was 703 and at Pleasant Union 588.
Projected enrollment for 2003-2004 is higher.
Parents who have a sales contract signed by the date that
the cap was announced, February 18, 2003, and who have yet
to close will be allowed to attend the capped school. Beavers
said students of families who arrive after May 1 will be assigned
for the 2002-2003 year to schools designated to handle the
overflow from the capped schools.
The school enrollment was capped because of crowded conditions
at the schools. The cap is in place for a year and it would
require another vote by the board to renew it. In recent years,
enrollment caps have been used at Davis Drive and Hodge Road
elementary schools.
WAKE TEACHERS EARN PRESIDENTIAL TEACHING AWARDS
Two Wake County Public School System teachers earned an invitation
to the White House and an award from the National Science
Foundation. Heidi Bledsoe of Wendell Elementary and Carolann
Wade of Apex Elementary have won the 2002 Presidential Awards
for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. In each
state two teachers are honored annually with the awards. Bledsoe
was recognized for science and Wade for mathematics. Bledsoe
and Wade have each been awarded a $7,500 award from the National
Science Foundation and attended recognition events in Washington,
D.C. on March 18-23. The events included an award ceremony,
a Presidential Citation, meetings with leaders in government
and education, sessions to share ideas and teaching experiences,
and receptions and banquets honoring recipients.
WASHINGTON TEACHER EARNS SHAKLEE AWARD
Washington Elementary teacher Laurie Eckenrode has earned
the 2003 Shaklee Award, a prestigious award designed to recognize
up to ten of the country's most outstanding teachers of children
with disabilities. Teachers earning the award receive a $1,000
unrestricted cash award and Shaklee Teacher Award sculpture;
participate in the Shaklee Summer Session, an interactive
learning event designed to expand understanding, increase
effectiveness, and explore critical issues related to the
education of children with disabilities; learn from other
outstanding special educators from across the country; become
a member of a learning community of fellow outstanding teachers
that can offer a sense of continued support and encouragement
to each other; and interact with previous winners of the Shaklee
Teacher Award who attend the 2003 Summer Session, in order
to participate with the growing number of Shaklee Award recipients.
TEACHER OF THE YEAR SEMI-FINALISTS NAMED
The selection committee has determined the 21 semi-finalists
for Wake County Public School System's 2003-2004 Teacher of
the Year. The semifinalists include Karla Wilday, Brooks Elementary;
Serena Buckner, Green Hope Elementary; Mary Davis, Centennial
Campus Middle; Laura Graf, Knightdale Elementary; Catherine
McCluskey, East Wake High; Elic Senter, Wakefield High; Beth
Leibu, Fuquay-Varina Elementary; Vanessa Mese, Willow Springs
Elementary; Johnny Gatlin, Middle Creek High; Christy Story,
Conn Elementary; Latrisha Sampson, Wakefield Elementary; Erin
Gerrity, East Millbrook Middle; Anna Evenhouse, Salem Elementary;
Stephanie Purdy, Weatherstone Elementary; Daniel Lockwood,
East Cary Middle; Susan Banks, Combs Elementary; Angelene
Barksdale, Olive Chapel Elementary; Marnie Utz, Davis Drive
Middle; Robert Soutter, Joyner Elementary; Pamela Smith, Lynn
Road Elementary; and Hilda McCullers, Broughton High
The next step in the process for the semi-finalists is a classroom observation by committee members to determine the seven finalists. A reception will be held in April to honor the semi-finalists and name the finalists. The Wake County Public School System's 2003-2004 Teacher of the Year nominees will be honored at the banquet on Wednesday, May 14.
WAKE TEACHERS NAMED KENAN FELLOWS
Eight Wake County teachers have been selected by the Kenan
Fellows for Curriculum and Leadership Development Program
at North Carolina State University as 2003 Kenan Fellows.
The eight teachers include Jason Bailey of West Lake Middle,
Nancy Carty of Broughton High, Michael Clinkscales of Broughton
High, Charles Cobb of Southeast Raleigh High, Susan Hirsch
of East Wake High, Randolph Senzig of Fuquay-Varina High,
Elizabeth Suber of Leesville Road Middle, and Brian Wood of
Enloe High.The teachers will engage in a two-year fellowship
in partnership with distinguished scientists and university
faculty to develop innovative curricula for use in North Carolina
classrooms.
SCHOOL BUDGET STAFF EARNS AWARD
The financial management team of the Wake County Public School
System has been recognized for its 2002-2003 budget document.
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United
States recently awarded WCPSS Administrative Services staff
its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, the 10th consecutive
year WCPSS has earned the award.
"The award reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting," Stephen Gauthier of GFOA wrote to WCPSS. "It represents a significant achievement."
In order to receive the budget award, the school system had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for an effective budget presentation that serves as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide and a communications device.
BOARD APPROVES CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION BIDS
At its Tuesday (April 1) meeting, the Board of Education approved
bids for construction of a new school and renovations at two
schools, all part of the current PLAN 2000 school construction
program. The board awarded a single prime contract to Skanska
USA Building, Inc. in the amount of $8,764,770 for construction
of the new Carpenter Elementary School. The board awarded
a single prime contract to A&M Construction Company in
the amount of $332,754 for the phase II renovation at Vance
Elementary School. The board awarded a single prime contract
to R.P. Construction Company in the amount of $424,000 for
the gymnasium renovation at Willow Springs Elementary School.
BOARD APPROVES DESIGNS FOR RENOVATIONS
At its Tuesday (April 1) meeting, the Board of Education approved
schematic design documents prepared by Arcadis G&M of
North Carolina, Inc. for the renovation of Northwoods Elementary.
The renovations are to be part of PLAN 2004, the proposed
school construction program.
BOARD NAMES DESIGN CONSULTANTS FOR THREE NEW HIGH SCHOOLS
At its Tuesday (April 1) meeting, the Board of Education named
design consultants for the construction of three new high
schools to be built as part of PLAN 2004, the proposed school
construction program. The board awarded contracts to Boney,
PLLC for reuse of the Knightdale High School prototype for
designs for the new Heritage High and the new Panther Creek
High. The board awarded a contract to Cherry Huffman Architects,
P.A. for reusing the prototype design used at Wakefield, Green
Hope and Middle Creek high schools in the construction of
the Holly Springs high school. The reuse of school building
designs, called prototypes, saves time, money and allows for
design improvements and modifications.
SCHOOL LUNCH PRICES UNCHANGED FOR 2003-2004
At its Tuesday (April 1) meeting, the Board of Education approved
keeping school meal prices the same for another year. The
breakfast prices will remain 80 cents for elementary schools,
90 cents for middle schools and $1 for high schools. The lunch
prices will remain $1.75 for elementary schools, $1.85 for
middle schools and $2 for high schools. The meal prices are
comparable to the other large school systems in North Carolina.
Child Nutrition Services will re-evaluate A la Carte prices
based on the market rate and food bids received in July 2003.
BOARD RECOGNIZES STUDENTS WITH SPOTLIGHT AWARDS
At its Tuesday (April 1) meeting, the Board of Education recognized
18 students with the Spotlight on Students award. The board
honored Alan P. Youngblood of Garner Sr. High School, Thomas
C. Anderson of Davis Drive Middle School, Dexter Davis of
Longview Middle School, Addie Brantley of Longview High School,
Meghan Strickland of Vandora Springs Elementar, Olivia Jean
Wells of Wendell Elementary, Matthew Prusik of Apex High School,
Edna Kabisa of North Ridge Elementary, Joanna Meyer of Stough
Elementary, Todd Alexander Pride of Cary Elementary, Lilly
Ann Huff of Vance Elementary, Anna Mangum of Enloe High School,
Rodney M. Tsasa of Root Elementary School, Kyle Gibson of
Wakefield Middle School, and Rachel Park of Moore Square Middle.
LES MISERABLES - SCHOOL EDITION
Back by popular demand for a return engagement is Les Miserables
- School Edition featuring students in grades 4-12 from 23
Wake County schools. Here's your opportunity if you missed
the production last October or loved it and want to see it
again.
Performances will be at Memorial Auditorium in Raleigh on:
April 10 at 7:00 p.m.
April 11 at 7:00 p.m.
April 12 at 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Les Miserables - School Edition is a student version of the
famous Broadway musical Les Miserables, the 2nd longest running
Broadway musical. This theatrical masterpiece is based on
Victor Hugo's novel and has been developed into an extraordinary
opera-inspired work unfolding a tale of man against man and
the difficult decisions made surrounding war, poverty and
desperation. The musical has been adapted for student voices
and some scenes have been shortened.
Les Miserables - School Edition is a cooperative effort of
the Wake County Public School System and the BTI Center for
Performing Arts.
Tickets are on sale from $10.00 - 40.00. For tickets call
the Memorial Auditorium Box Office at 831-6060
INSIDE THE NEWS
U.S. Department of Education reports "New Survey Takes Roll on Prekindergarten in U.S. Public Elementary Schools" and "Laura Bush Highlights Character Education in Broadcast Produced by U.S. Department of Education, Court TV"
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction reports "Veteran Educator to Lead School District Assistance Efforts" and "April 8 is Legislative Technology Day"
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
|
April 7-11 |
National School Building Week |
|
April 8 |
12:30 p.m., Policy Committee Meeting; 2 p.m., Community Relations Committee Meeting; 3:25 p.m., Finance Committee Meeting |
|
April 10-12 |
Les Miserables - School Edition at the BTI Center for Performing Arts |
|
April 15 |
11:30 a.m., WCPSS Valedictorian luncheon |
|
April 15 |
2 p.m., Committee of the Whole; 4 p.m. Board of Education meets at Garner Senior High School, 2101 Spring Drive, Garner |
|
April 16 |
12 p.m. Board of Education and County Commissioners
luncheon, County Office Building, 336 Fayetteville Street
Mall |
|
April 17, 18 |
Good Friday, all school offices closed |
|
April 22 |
Earth Day |
|
|
Secretaries Day |
|
April 23 |
8:30 a.m., Principals meeting at Webster Center |
|
April 23-24 |
Board of Education retreat to discuss student assignment |
|
April 24 |
5 p.m., Healthy Schools Task Force meeting at Webster Center |
|
May 1 |
Wake Education Summit at McKimmon Center |
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 Schools. 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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