Congratulations go out to Carol Swink Wooten, a fifth-grade teacher at Hunter Elementary School in Raleigh, who was named one of the top math and science teachers in the nation today.

Wooten was one of 87 winners nationally and two from this state to receive the 2008 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Some educators have called the award, which includes a $10,000 prize, the Nobel Prize of their profession.

The award is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th-grade math or science teacher can receive in the U.S. for outstanding teaching. Recipients are recognized for their contributions to teaching and learning and their ability to help students make pregress in math and science.

New principals have been named tonight for Dillard Drive and Carnage middle schools.

Jacob N. Bryant will become the principal of Dillard Drive Middle in Raleigh, receiving a salary of $87,606. Bryant has been the principal of Jeffreys Grove Elementary School since 2006.

Bryant replaces Teresa Abron, who is retiring. School officials say there’s no connection between her retirement and the December 2007 incident in which Dillard was faulted by federal civil rights officials for holding segregated assemblies for black and Hispanic students after a fight.

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The potential elimination of the Communities in Schools site coordinator positions took center stage at Tuesday's budget public hearing.

As noted in today's article, more than a dozen speakers urged the school board to find a way to fund those positions, which cost Wake $472,446. They told how the CIS program, through the help of the paid coordinators, is making a difference in the lives of at-risk students.

"With the elimination of the CIS coordinator, I honeslty believe these children will be left behind," Marla Turlington, incoming PTA president at Hunter Elementary School, told the board on Tuesday.

It's will be even tougher getting a slot in some popular magnet schools this year.

As noted in today's article, plans are underway to raise the percentages of low-income students at some magnet schools. It's a two-step approach involving increasing the base by reassigning in more students and restricting the number of magnet applicants who are accepted.

So the acceptance rates should fall at Hunter, Underwood and Wiley elementary schools and Enloe High. It will also get tougher making it into Partnership Elementary, which Asst. Supt. Chuck Dulaney will recommend getting magnet status.