A potential budget cut could do more harm than good for the school district.

As noted in today's article, Wake school administrators have not recommended funding the 10 Communities in Schools site coordinator positions. It would cost $472,446 to put the positions into the 2009-10 budget.

Located mostly at high-poverty schools, the site coordinators recruit tutor-mentors and provide them assistance. The coordinators also help students with other needs, such as providing them school supplies and eyeglasses and even helping their parents pay the rent.

Supt. Del Burns is willing to stick out his neck, or at least his hair, for a good cause.

Burns is one of the people who has agreed to have his hair shaved off Saturday to help raise money for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. The organization raises money to help children who are afflicted with childhood cancer.

Would a student lie about being homeless to get assigned to a particular school or to ride the bus?

Those were some of the questions that popped up during this week's facilities committee meeting. Eddy Adams, senior director for transportation, said there have been cases when students claiming to be homeless demand bus service.

Adams said people have actually seen cases where students are dropped off from a Mercedes and claim to be homeless. He acknowledged it could be a friend of the student who is driving the car.

Don't be surprised if you see news stories today about the school system's efforts to reach out to the faith community.

The school district has scheduled a media availability this morning at Brentwood Elementary School in North Raleigh. Assistant Superintendent Marvin Connelly will talk with reporters about efforts to encourage faith communities to partner with schools to support student learning.

At the school, Brentwood faculty, staff, parents and members of a North Raleigh church will be working on a landscaping project designed and carried out with materials donated by church members.

UPDATE

Click here for the district's press release.