It looks like it will be another two weeks before the Wake County school board decides on bell schedules for this fall.
Board members were told today that it would cost $748,000 to hire 25 new school bus drivers to avoid operating most elementary schools from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. this fall. The board directed the finance committee to see next week if there's a way to come up with the money.
All the board members agreed that starting elementary school so late was a hardship on families, requiring many to get preschool care. But finding a way to not start school so late led to a lengthy discussion with no resolution.
If the board comes up with the $748,000, it would allow Wake to operate all the schools on the 2008-09 bell schedule that was in place before the changes were made this year for the Wednesday early dismissals.
That money would also make it possible to flip high schools to the third tier and elementary schools to the first tier.
Comments
Idea for $: Can we close the stand alone magnet resource center?
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 21:09 — raleighlauraWe had thousands more kids apply for seats than we have. Do we really have to pay for full time staff and a building to market the wildly successful program? How about we close that whole thing and plow that money back into the busses so that everyone can start at a decent hour. And Dan, it's not about just about convenience, it's about our ability to work. There is a sense of reasonableness that this board understands, and things like Wacky Wednesdays, these crazy half days where the kids spend more time in transit and lunch than they do in the classroom, and now this odd schedule issue run counter to what a reasonable person expects.
I doubt closing that
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 21:27 — danofncI doubt closing that building would save $20 million. Before they spend $750,000 to save 15 minutes, they'd need to save that money.
I think that building is on Millbrook Elementary's campus, so you couldn't really sell it.
Wake Wednesdays are not and never have been half-days. Kids get out 1 hour early. That's it. The half-days are on Wednesday because of WW, but they aren't a part of that program.
There are always a certain number of half-days built into the calendar. You will still have to deal with them next year.
I think they do more than
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 21:18 — magnetParentI think they do more than market the magnet program. Aren't they responsible for getting the grant monies for the program? Bringing more money in to the schools?
magnet office
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 07:06 — turnerk1They are responsible for everything related to the magnet program such as writing grants, doing the yearly reviews for the board, managing the money and handling oversight responsbiliteis for money that is allocated to magnet programs but doesn't come from the regular WCPSS budget, overseeing curriculum to make sure that the magnets are following their themes, etc. Those are the things I know about, I'm sure they have other responsibilities.
overhead
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 11:05 — loriacWith perhaps the exception of the grants, I don't see why all of that wouldn't be handled at the magnet schools. At most, once a year someone in central office writes the grant. Why a separate budget function? I'm sure the WCPSS finance folks can handle a separate budget line. This looks like pure overhead.
Also - if Mr. Burns 50% retirement income is indicative of Wake County employees' retirement plan, that is also unsustainable. Look at what's been happening in the private sector - years ago businesses figured this out and have mostly ended the defined benefit plans. Instead of first going after teachers to lay off, seems like they should be looking at the overall budget.
I don't know what all they
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 22:00 — jenmanI don't know what all they do there, but WCPSS seems to spend a lot of money on TV and newspaper ads marketing the magnet program.
You are correct on the
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 21:17 — DrActualFactualYou are correct on the magnet center. Information regarding magnet schools could be distributed from central office. Many years ago McNeal/Fletcher were discussing the three-tier bus system and mentioned that the district had been having difficulty getting bus drivers on a part time basis so they modified those positions to provide full time hours and benefits package. In the current economy I would think you would have an easier time finding bus drivers and perhaps we need to look at cutting benefits package for these employees. Not the optimum way to save money but it may be necessary in lieu of $100 million in cuts coming. Many employees in the private sector have had to make such concessions.
Part time drivers
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 21:27 — raleighlauraI think that's a great idea! I would think that many more people who have been laid off from other work might be interested in a part time job with reliable pay.
Just want to make sure I get this clear...
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 16:19 — MarvinSchwartz* Ending decades-old diversity policy with no clear plan on cost or impact on long-term student assignment issues: vote on it within the first five minutes of the first meeting come heck or high water.
* Moving bell schedules back 15 minutes: schedule a vote, study, delay, study some more, re-schedule, delay again, repeal rule that schedules be approved by March 31, ask for Solomon's wisdom, re-schedule, delay again...
Ladies and gentlemen, your new school board at work...
Let's not forget
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 21:38 — oatmealLet's not forget how they ignored the results of the calendar survey and converted 2 elementary schools (Mills Park & Leesville Rd) to a traditional calendar even though the majority of the parents preferred the year round calendar.
Couldn't agree more
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 20:42 — turnerk1While I'm glad they are thinking about the ramifications of changing the schedule, I wish they had spent some of this time thinking about what they are doing with respect to assignment.
Unfortunately...
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 15:38 — Bob_SconceI think it's probably going to happen. $750K is no small chunk of change, considering the $20M cut by the state. For those of us with 9:15 starts anyway, the 15 minute change isn't that big of a deal. For those schools with earlier starts, switching to 9:30 is a bigger deal.
Another money-saving possibility is to extend walk-zones by another 1/4 mile.
This will hit many parents' budgets
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 16:10 — gratefulforjob15 minutes shouldn't be that big a deal but it is to working parents who have to be at work by 9 - if this changes, I will have to pay $90 a month for before school care for 15 minutes a day. And my budget isn't any better than Wake County's
I've talked to several parents who are in the same boat. Whatever they do, they need to quit delaying the decision - signups for before and after school care have already begun and as someone pointed out, people who are in year-round are starting in 12 weeks.
Really?
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 16:52 — Bob_SconceWhat did you do last year when school started at 9:15?
Start time
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 20:51 — TrailerParkGirlStart time is last bell, but first bell last year was 1/2 hour before at 8:45 am (this year 9:15 schools start at 9:05 with first bell still at 8:45). I've actually seen people drop kids off a few minutes before 8:45, like around 8:35 (assume they just hang out outside the school as if they "walk" and got there a little too fast). Imagine when start goes to 9:30 that first bell will move to 9:00. Also, bus pick-ups will shift such that kids that used to get on at 8:20 meaning parents could get to work by 9, would now pick up later causing scheduling issue, so I actually know several parents that will be impacted. The problem is that with before care, you pay the same whether you drop off the kid at 7 am or 8:35 am. On the upside, some schools make money on before and after care, so this could be a source of more revenue for those if people use a school program (rather than third party provider).
late start
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 20:41 — turnerk1At our elementary school, students can report to their classrooms at 8:45 so myself and other people who work near the school can drop off at 8:45 and make it to work on time.
That's what I want to
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 17:16 — danofncThat's what I want to know.
Are they really the first car in line every single day?
One of the proposed "solutions" was to move everyone's start time up 20-25 minutes.
Suppose you're a HS teacher with an ES school kid. If you have a class at 7:10, what do you do with your kid at 6 in the morning so you can go to work?
..
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 16:54 — Dove314Paid for early morning care.
Without whining.
Whining.
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 21:13 — raleighlauraOur early morning care option is at the Finley YMCA. That's 20 minutes north of where I live and where my kids go to school (York Elementary). That means I'd get the kids in the car, drive them 20 minutes north, let them get out and play for 10 minutes, the Y would load them on a bus, and they'd drive 20 minutes back to their school, where they'd sit on the bus until precisely 8:45 because they can't get out until school officially opens. All that gas, all that time, all that money, and all that unneccessary running around just to not hire 25 bus drivers? Give me a crack at that budget- I'm sure I can find that money somewhere!
So you put your kids on the
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 21:31 — danofncSo you put your kids on the bus now? What time?
Bus comes around 8:30.
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 21:40 — raleighlauraWe're the last stop before the school. I usually take them and sit in the carpool lane and wait for 8:45 just because the bus buys us so little time, and I already don't see them until 6pm. I miss them.
So really as long as the bus
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 22:00 — danofncSo really as long as the bus was at your house by 8:45 or so it wouldn't be a really big change for you.
bus
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 07:08 — turnerk1If the start times change, then when the bus comes will also move, so parents that leave home right after the bus comes to get to work will also be affected.
I'd back you!!
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 21:20 — duvalIf you would be willing to run for BOE I'd sign up to support you!! :)
I have no reason whatsoever
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 16:27 — danofncI have no reason whatsoever to think you're being less than truthful, but I have to believe that there aren't many people in your situation.
I can't believe there are enough parents who work 5 or 10 minutes from their kids' schools to warrant spending $750,000 to keep them happy.
I am being quite truthful
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 08:46 — gratefulforjobCurrently (and when school started at 9:15), we can drop our child at school at 8:45. That gets both my husband and myself (whoever does drop off) to school by 9. If the school moves to 9:30, then dropoff will move to 9. We would still need to drop off at 8:45 to get to work on time and that would mean paying $90 for before school care for 15 minutes a day. And yes, several other parents whom I have spoken to have said the same thing. We currently go to a magnet school that provides no bus service. Even if we switched to our local school, the bus comes too late for us to wait for it and then get to work on time since we work 30 minutes away. I really don't think it's whining to be concerned about something that will cost my family nearly $1200 more per year, especially with a few months notice. Wacky Wednesday didn't affect us at all but I still supported those of you who were truly impacted by it.
Same Boat
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 11:08 — ego7601I'm in the same situation. Last year, drop off started at 8:45 for my daughter's school, so we got there so I was one of the first in line so that I could get to work by 9. This year, drop off starts at 8:35. Next year with the time being 9am, I won't get to work until 9:15 or 9:20. I don't think my boss will be too happy with that (considering I already get a break by coming in at 9 when "normal" business hours start at 8:30).
And another thing...the BoE also raised the prices for next year by 50 cents an hour and will raise the rate again for the following year by another 50 cents- going from $1.75 this year to $2.75 an hour in 2 years. And whether your kids are there 2 hours or just 15 minutes, you pay for the entire time. So if its $90 next year, it will be $110 the following year. I know it's not exactly in my family budget to pay an additional $100 a month.
Your school is the first
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 11:19 — danofncYour school is the first I've heard that moved the time up to counter the later start time. Our school just has a 20 minute drop off window this year.
It's interesting that last year it took 15 minutes or less, but next year it would take 15 to 20.
Interesting?
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 13:43 — ego7601I shouldn't have to justify time schedules, but I was just showing that no matter what time I drop my kid off after 8:45, I run the risk of being late to work whether it be by 1 minute or 20. I don't know in what part of the county you live in, but a 10-15 minute time change also has changes in the flow of traffic.
Our school is outside Raleigh so the school was courteous enough to allow parents 30 minutes for drop off. Traffic in the area has increased tremendously in our area b/c of growth and now there is a huge road-widening project that will also have a huge impact on traffic.
I just wanted to put out there that there are many parents in the same situation as "gratefulforjob". I don't live in a McMansion and while there are some in our area, the majority of folks in NE Wake are in modest homes where every penny counts. I already pay for after school care and it would be a big strain on my family to pay an extra $100 a month (that's equivalent to a week's worth of groceries). And I can't risk always being late for work and possibly lose my job.
Extending the walk area is a great idea.
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 15:59 — KnightdaleParentThan I would be within the walk area for the school I am not assigned to.
Question
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 15:51 — JSBinNCIf there are no sidewalks on any of the streets or neighbourhoods around a school - does it have no walkers? (nothing identified as walk zone?)
I just can't believe that 15
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 15:36 — danofncI just can't believe that 15 minutes is worth $750,000 when we're already facing millions in shortages.
If there is money for the finance committee to "find" I think it would be better served to spend it on something that has been cut.
And - they really ought not
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 15:34 — JSBinNCAnd - they really ought not to delay this much longer! Really - the next school year begins in 12 weeks... for YR. If there is thought to changing the start times - that is a bunch of people that need to be aware!!!
>> That money would also
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 15:30 — JSBinNC>> That money would also make it possible to flip high schools to the third tier and elementary schools to the first tier.
So - they want to do this? I read some comments from both sides about the highschool start and end times - does the above mean that if they get the money they WILL push highschools to start at 9'ish?? And then all ES's would go early?
It's just a theoretical
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 15:38 — KeungHui (author)It's just a theoretical discussion at this point. Staff said it's possible. But they're recommending going back to the 2008-09 schedules if the board comes up with the cash to pay the drivers.