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.August 30, 2005
2005 SAT SCORES INCREASE 12 POINTS FOR WCPSS STUDENTS
SAT scores for 2005 Wake County Public School System seniors averaged 1075,
an increase of 12 points above last year and a record high for Wake County.
WCPSS math scores this year increased nine points to 548, the highest they have ever been. Wake students scored an average of 527 on verbal, after averaging 524 for the past three years.
For the first time, WCPSS had four schools with average scores over 1100. Enloe students had an average score of 1178; Broughton, 1110; Green Hope, 1110; and Leesville Road, 1102. This was the first time that Broughton students had an average score above 1100. Two schools neared 1100. Athens Drive students averaged 1098 and Apex students averaged 1093.
Scores were up significantly at Millbrook and Broughton. Millbrook students averaged 1045, up 34 points from the previous year. Broughton students averaged 1110, up 29 points from the previous year.
Across the school system, an increasing number of students enrolled in Advanced Placement and honors courses due to block scheduling. WCPSS provided test takers the chance to participate in the College Board SAT Readiness Program last year. More than 2,200 students took part, 500 more than 2003-04 when a different online preparation service was offered.
The average SAT score for Wake seniors in 2004-05 was 1075. The average national score was 1028 and the average North Carolina score was 1010. WCPSS scores were significantly higher than similar large North Carolina school districts. Charlotte Mecklenburg students' scores averaged 1008, Durham, 1005; and Guilford, 994.
WCPSS PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR FINALISTS NAMED
The finalists for the 2005-2006 Principal and Assistant Principal of the
Year have been selected.
Nominated for WCPSS Principal of the Year are Freda Cole of Forest Pines Elementary, Jan Hargrove of Turner Creek Elementary, James Overman of Creech Road Elementary, Matt Wight of Salem Middle and Tom Dixon of Apex High.
Nominated for WCPSS Assistant Principal of the Year are H. Trent Evans of Reedy Creek Elementary, D. Susan Spivey of Cary Elementary, Mary Swann of Forestville Elementary, Ginger Wooten of Moore Square Middle and Sebastian Shipp of East Wake High.
The Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year Celebration will take place at 6 p.m., Thursday, October 27 at Exploris Museum, 201 East Hargett Street in Raleigh.
BOARD ISSUES REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR AUDIT SERVICES
At its August 23 meeting, the Board of Education reviewed the work of the
Finance Committee in preparing a Request for Proposals seeking an auditor
and defining the firm's scope of work. The board authorized the RFP seeking
proposals from qualified independent auditors to perform a fraud examination
and fraud vulnerability assessment of the internal accounting and administrative
controls of the Wake County Public School System. Sealed proposals are due
before 2:00 p.m., Sept. 13. More information is at http://www.wcpss.net/rfp/
MCGLADREY PULLEN DESCRIBES 2005 AUDIT SERVICES
At the August 9 meeting of the Board of Education, John Gilberto of McGladrey
Pullen talked about the scope of work the accounting firm has completed
for the Wake County Public School System in recent years and its work on
2004-05 finances. Gilberto said fraud found by WCPSS in its Transportation
Department was reported in last year's financial report and would lead to
a closer review of federal funds. He reviewed the standard audit procedures
that McGladrey has followed in annual reviews of WCPSS finances. He said
all contracts are approved by the Local Government Commission in the State
Treasurer's Department and the financial reports are sent to the LGC for
final review.
The CPA firm has been working on the annual audit of WCPSS finances that are reported in the WCPSS Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
WCPSS EDUCATOR NAMED EDUCATION HERO
At the August 23 meeting of the Board of Education, Melinda Stephani, WCPSS
Senior. Administrator for Social Studies, was presented the first statewide
award, Hero to Law Education. Stephani was honored by the North Carolina
Bar Association for significantly contributing to law related education.
WCPSS EMPLOYEES TO RECEIVE ELECTRONIC PAY STUBS
At its August 23 meeting, the Board of Education heard from WCPSS administrators
that school system employees will soon be able to review electronic pay
stubs. The new electronically distributed employee pay statement will replace
the current statements. In addition to providing current pay period information,
the new electronic pay stub will archive a two-month history of each employee's
prior pay statements for easy access and retrieval. Historical data will
build until current month and two previous months are available.
BOARD RENEWS WORKERS' COMPENSATION SELF-INSURANCE COVERAGE
At its August 9 meeting, the Board of Education approved renewing Workers'
Compensation Self-Insurance Coverage continuing with Surry Insurance/Key
Risk Management Services.
The board continued coverage with Surry Insurance/Key Risk Management Services
based on the following:
- Claim handling fees remain unchanged for 4th consecutive year
- Third Party Administrator of State Board of Education Self-Insured Workers' Compensation (state funded)
- Third Party Administrator of Office of State Personnel Self-Insured Workers' Compensation
- Provides efficient coordination of claims activities for workers paid from multiple funding sources.
The estimated cost to operate a self-insured workers' compensation program for 2005-06 is $1,009,435. In comparison, the estimated premium for commercial insurance for 2005-06 would be $2,249,477. There continues to be substantial savings realized for WCPSS by self-insuring.
BOARD APPROVES JOINT USE AGREEMENT WITH HOLLY SPRINGS
At its August 9 meeting, the Board of Education approved a Level 4 joint
use agreement with Holly Springs for the Holly Ridge Middle School softball
field, multipurpose field, outdoor basketball court, designated parking
area and drive access, and the Holly Ridge Elementary School designated
parking area and drive access. The school will have priority use at all
times. The Town will maintain Town Licensed Areas in exchange for the privilege
to schedule the Town Licensed Areas when not needed or scheduled for school
use. The term is 25 years.
The Board of Education purchased approximately 36.34 acres of land. Town is responsible for the maintenance and utilities for the Town Licensed Areas. The Board shall pay no utilities or fees to the Town for Board's use. Town is 100% responsible for maintaining the softball, multipurpose fields, and outdoor basketball court to the Level 4 JUA Landscape Maintenance Standards. Board and Town will share the maintenance of the designated parking areas and drive accesses.
BOARD APPROVES JOINT USE AGREEMENT WITH MIRACLE LEAGUE
At its August 9 meeting, the Board of Education approved a joint use agreement
with the Miracle League of the Triangle, Inc. for the Adams Elementary School
baseball field, comfort station, designated parking areas and drive access.
The Miracle League plans to develop a baseball field for physically challenged
youths to be used by the league after school hours on Friday evenings, all
day on Saturdays and all day on Sundays when the field is not needed by
the school. Board will schedule use of field for times not assigned for
league use. Board use will have first priority at all times. The Miracle
League will be responsible for all permit requirements, and construction
expenses associated with the development of the field to include the relocation
of the school's walking track. The Miracle League will be responsible for
the maintenance of the baseball field, comfort station, and amenities added
by the league as well as be responsible for any associated utility costs.
The field's completion is scheduled for April 2006.
MCNEAL NAMED CORPORATE CHAIR FOR WALK TO CURE DIABETES
Wake County Superintendent Bill McNeal will serve as the Corporate Recruitment
Chair for the 2005 Walk to Cure Diabetes. McNeal was tapped for the honor
by the Triangle/Eastern NC Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation,
sponsors of the annual event.
This year's Walk is scheduled for October 29 at Nortel Networks in Research Triangle Park. Check-in time is 8:30 a.m. with the 5K (3.1 mile) Walk scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m.
The Walk to Cure Diabetes is the Triangle region's single largest walk-a-thon. In 2004, over 5,500 people "walked to cure diabetes" raising a record $750,000 for research to find a cure for diabetes and its complications.
In 2004 the WCPSS Employee Walk Team had over 300 participants and raised $24,076.49 for research to find a cure for diabetes and its complications.
JDRF, the leading charitable funder and advocate of juvenile (type 1) diabetes research worldwide, was founded in 1970 by the parents of children with juvenile diabetes - a disease which strikes children suddenly, makes them insulin-dependent for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. Since inception, JDRF has provided more than $800 million in direct funding to diabetes research.
JDRF's mission is constant: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. For more information, visit the JDRF Triangle/Eastern NC Chapter website at www.jdrftriangle.org or call 919-431-8330.
CALENDAR
|
Sept. 1 |
8:30 a.m., Joint Work Session of the Board of County Commissioners and the Board of Education at 3600 Wake Forest Road |
|
Sept. 6 |
2 p.m., Committee of the Whole-Board Conference Room; 4 p.m. Board of Education 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
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