Buyer's remorse seems to be setting in among Broughton High School parents over the decision to save the magnet program.
As noted in today's article, some parents whose neighborhoods are in the draft reassignment plan are saying that Broughton no longer needs the magnet program. They're asking the school board to revisit the magnet vote in hopes that demagnetization will spare a mass reassignment out of Broughton.
What may help these parents is that families who aren't in the draft are getting scared that they'll be next. It's limiting the number of Broughton parents who might lobby to save the magnet program.
"I'm on the fence," said Lisa Pace, a Broughton base parent not facing reassignment. "A lot of people in this situation don't know what to think."
The base could be a big reason why Broughton kept the magnet program last month while it was removed from Daniels Middle School. The base parents at Daniels largely sat out the fight, leaving it up to the magnet families.
But both base and magnet families were vocal in lobbying to preserve Broughton's IB program.
Fast forward to the release of a proposal calling for the reassignment of 593 base students out of Broughton. As was previously noted on the blog, this was not a surprising consequence.
Broughton is facing a net reduction of 243 students over the next three years that would free up enough seats to increase the magnet pecentage from 29 percent of the enrollment up to 40 percent. It's still less than the 66 percent magnet population at Enloe High and the 70 percent at Southeast Raleigh High.
The pitch from the demagnetization crowd is that Broughton is healthy enough that it will do well without a magnet program. They've suggested that the IB magnet program be transferred to Millbrook High School.
This message has been repeatedly made to administrators and school board members, both in public at last week's board meeting and CEM meeting and in private.
Asst. Supt. Chuck Dulaney told parents last week that it would be up to the board and not staff to revisit Broughton's magnet status. He said staff was only carrying out the board's decision.
Rosa Gill, chairwoman of the school board, said none of the other board members have asked yet about revisiting the issue. But things could change by the time the board meets next Tuesday.
Board member Patti Head said she'd be willing to revisit the issue. She was part of the unanimous vote last month to keep Broughton as a magnet school.
Comments
Why are N. Raleigh parents
Thu, 11/27/2008 - 11:37 — vsheehanWhy are N. Raleigh parents so special?!! Cary , Garner parents complain about reassignments and they are labeled racist dreamers. The BOE absolutely refuses to change any decision the parents in our area ask that the BOE relook at. Hell we sued just to get the BOEs attention. Garner had to refuse permits to try to change the BOEs mind. Of course the BOE just called them racist and refused to listen. The North Raleigh parents cough and the BOE runs to accommodate them any way they can. Any time North Raleigh parents get treated special the BOE proves the only population of students they care about are inside Raleigh. It is time to break up this monstrosity and free the students outside the belt way from the enslavement to the needs of Raleigh students.
Vote Again?
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 15:44 — PublicSchoolFanKeung, maybe you can help me understand how the school board can just decide to vote again on something that was just voted on and approved 9-0 just a few short weeks ago. Other than some base familes being upset about being reassigned, absolutely nothing has changed with regards to the IB magnet status at Broughton. The board discussed the program and decided unanimously to keep it. Why vote at all on anything if they can just decide to vote again?
The Broughton vote was a
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 16:21 — KeungHui (author)The Broughton vote was a straw vote during a work session. If the board wants to change its mind and demagnetize the school, it would require a formal vote at a regular board meeting. As to why they might, it depends on whether they opt to side with the parents who are now contacting them to demagetize the school. They're not really hearing yet from folks who say keep the magnet program no matter what.
I guess that is just a
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 21:47 — PublicSchoolFanI guess that is just a safety net in case they decide to change their mind. A vote should be a vote. I have no doubt that by and large most of the people they are hearing from are the ones who have been reassigned and have been told by a certain board member that the only way to get out of it is to fight for removal of the magnet status. Rather a backhanded way to achieve a goal if you ask me. Folks like me who do say "keep the magnet program not matter what" thought that had already been settled.
Can't "Move " an IB program
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 11:42 — shank56http://www.ibo.org/who/slidee.cfm
It is my understanding an IB program cannot be "moved" by the district. However, they can decide to start the process from scratch to turn Millbrook into an IB school. From the link above:
"Authorization to become an IB World School is an intensive process that typically takes two or more years and includes site visits by an IB team."
Excellent point!! Thanks
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 15:46 — PublicSchoolFanExcellent point!! Thanks so much for bringing this critical piece of information to everyone's attention
that's exactly right...
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 13:22 — JonesSausagethat's exactly right, shank56, that IB will not authorise simply picking up and moving an IB program within a district (or anywhere else), and for good reason.
There isn't even close to enough money in the magnet office (and it's only getting worse) to begin to think about paying for authorising another HS for IB program(s) in Wake.
More evidence of how clueless the anti-magnet contingent of Broughton mommies and daddies are...
With all due respect
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 18:47 — shank56Jones Sausage,
I 've spoken to a handful of those who sit on both sides of this fence. In all cases, the families have been mutually respectful of each other's positions, given the proposal. None of the base parents whom I have spoken with have ever used the kind of inflammatory/derogatory message you are sending against them.
let me clarify...
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 20:56 — JonesSausageshank56-
Specifically what do you consider to be "derogatory"?
I'm not sure how calling someone "clueless" is a derogation; I'm clueless as to how to harvest barley or perform an appendectomy. In a similar way, it's evident that by their comments, some of the anti-magnet parents are clueless regarding the IB/magnet programs, their implementation, and their structure. That's no sin.
Further, me calling them self-centered is precisely accurate--and granted, I've only seen the comments printed in the story above, in the paper, and from a few conversations--based on what I've thus seen/heard. If a group of people would rather sacrifice the most successful IB program(s) in the state so that they can claim what they perceive to be their individual birthright to attend Broughton, then that--by definition--is self-centered. If you have a different way to describe this with a more value-neutral adjective, be my guest.
I stand by the principle that to advocate ending a successful program that is available to a majority of Wake's HS students (75-80% or so--basically if you live north of Garner) in exchange for getting one's own way is self-centered et cetera. Such a goal would sacrifice the health of the entire school academic and service community so that a handful of individuals could send their children to what they take to be their school, no matter the cost. Further, these anti-magnet folks (who are not even currently participating in the IB programs) are eager to reap its rewards of-as far as they are concerned-a reputation of excellence for "their" school.
I'd be glad to be set straight by one so even-keeled as you, shank, if I'm being less than charitable.
Inflamatory / derogatory
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 21:58 — shank56"These same entitled parents whining that Mary Margaret Precious won't get to go to Broughton--as though it's her birthright-- "
Gee, it seems you have a beef with the entire Broughton non-magnet community.
Some feel that these " entitled" parents to whom you refer above are the ones who are at the school 24/7 , supporting the PTA, the athletics and arts programs, and the major traditions unique to the school - while the magnet parents, with good reason, are not as accessible. I haven't heard the magnet parents held in disdain by ANYONE in the same vein as you feel for base parents.
But where were those North
Sat, 11/29/2008 - 07:09 — vsheehanBut where were those North Raleigh PTA parents when western wake PTAS were being ripped to shreds by WCPSS and MYR plus diversity bussing? How come we only hear from North Raleigh parents when they might lose a lawn or their base school? Why does the BOE jump for any complaint from North Raleigh parents within the beltway while calling all other parents outside the beltline with problems racist, Lazy, and dreamers. I didn’t hear boo from Broughton parents when Farmington Woods base parents were moved from their base. If North Raleigh PTAS who have so much power over the BOE would step up and help those outside the beltway maybe people would be less callous about North Raleigh within the beltline parents problems with WCPSS.
fair enough.
Wed, 11/26/2008 - 01:17 — JonesSausageAs always, shank56, you are fair and judicious in your comments.
I don't disagree with anything you've said in the above post; I don't think anything you've said there is wrong or incorrect, nor does it mischaracterise my comments.
Jones Sausage--You bring up
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 10:07 — raleighreaderJones Sausage--You bring up a point that I have made before, although perhaps we are bringing it up for different reasons. So because Broughton without an IB program wouldn't be good enough for some base families, we should give them more to keep them in the system? If what the rest of us are expected to be thankful for isn't good enough for them, then good riddance. I am tired of not only sacrificing academic opportunities at my base schools but subsidizing those same opportunities for families in the same or better financial situation as mine.
WCPSS strikes again
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 10:02 — FloydTurboWCPSS is determined to destroy Broughton and drag it down to the same level of mediocrity as the rest of their "institutions". Eventually they will be successful in doing so. Vouchers will never happen under Obama .... so Broughton parents should make the move to private schools ASAP. Which is where Obama is sending his kids too.
As a former resident of DC
Sat, 11/29/2008 - 07:20 — vsheehanAs a former resident of DC let me point something out to you. Obama is sending his kids to private because DC school system after the Amy Carter fiasco do not want presidential kids in public schools. The DC school system is not willing or equipped to handle the type of security president’s kids need. The press hounding of Amy Carter is a prime example. The hill was abuzz about how the Obamas were fighting hard to get their kids into the IB school in DC but DC refused to allow security for the kids at the school. Yes the president’s kids need that type of protection my hubby is from GA and they still talk about the hell Amy Carter went through in the DC public schools. The hell, by the way, that was brought on by people outside of the school system.
Also most private schools in the area will not allow the securty either except for Sidwell and Georgetown day.
Oh by the way DC has vouchers. Congress forced them on DC eventhough the majority of DC residents were against them.
Please force vouchers on us
Sat, 11/29/2008 - 08:23 — Dadof3The "choicers" are anti-choice when it comes to vouchers -- but the whole "choice" construct is really a rhetorical parlor game anyhow.
Who set OT to turbo?
Sorry
Sat, 11/29/2008 - 11:20 — Voice_of_Reason_I'm soap boxing a bit too much. It felt good though. :^>
Floyd...
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 10:16 — JSBinNCYou have posted previously about really wanting Broughton to stay as is - no changes... yet you also acknowledge the "other institutions of mediocrity" that exist all across this county. Can you help me understand your solution to that problem? I do not understand how it's OK in anyone's opinion to have some really, really great high schools, and others that are "mediocre".
Broughton is only open to the select few that are fortunate enough to get in. What about all the other kids that are also deserving of opportunity?
I am not asking to be a pain in the rear. I just really want to understand... what I am missing.
Gwahir--Yep, you and I both
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 09:58 — raleighreaderGwahir--Yep, you and I both brought up the possibility of giving Millbrook HS an IB program as an alternative to Broughton. (I'm Voice for Equity). Yes, it is definitely a case of having their cake and eating it too.
What's really sad is that of the people getting moved out, its mostly lower income areas. I think only 89 of the kids being moved are coming from higher income areas (houses selling for $700K median price). The rest are either low income or working class areas. Imagine if GM had moved out even more higher income nodes--we'd be seeing real protests.
Its also interesting that this group of parents is using the 'people aren't coming here for the IB program' reasoning. That's the same thing that was brought up by several people before as a reason to get rid of the magnet program there. People want to go to Broughton because there are more opportunities there than there are at other high schools, even without the IB program. Just another way that the schools are NOT equally good, no matter how many times Chuck Dulaney claims it is so.
What's really sad is that
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 13:14 — NWRaleighMomWhat's really sad is that of the people getting moved out, its mostly lower income areas.
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I predicted exactly the same thing. Sadly, I know how this system operates...
asinine.
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 09:57 — JonesSausage"The pitch from the demagnetization crowd is that Broughton is healthy enough that it will do well without a magnet program. They've suggested that the IB magnet program be transferred to Millbrook High School."
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The demagnetization crowd of some bhs parents is delusional, at best, and self-centered at worst. This comment indicates that. Broughton is healthy enough that it would do well without the (IB) magnet? Why on earth do you think it is at its current healthy state? BECAUSE of the (IB) magnet, perhaps? If the school were healthy without it, the magnet wouldn't have been brought into play a decade ago...remove the magnet and see how this impacts the 'health' of the school.
These same entitled parents whining that Mary Margaret Precious won't get to go to Broughton--as though it's her birthright-- will yank her out of there in a minute and send her to St Mary's or Ravenscroft etc when the 'health' of the school declines in a year or two without the benefit of the magnet and IB.
Move it to Millbrook (or anywhere else)? That's laughable. The bulk of the cost to run the IB at Broughton has been paid in training the faculty who teach in the programs...the financial burden to train an entire new faculty alone would be prohibitive, not to mention the other practical problems. The only way around that, were the program to move elsewhere would be to force transfers of a few dozen staff out of Broughton--also likely a great move for the "health" of the school. The self centered provincialism of those BHS parents trying to get rid of the magnet/IB is stunning.
The pitch from the
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 08:10 — gwaihirThe pitch from the demagnetization crowd is that Broughton is healthy enough that it will do well without a magnet program. They've suggested that the IB magnet program be transferred to Millbrook High School.
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That was the suggestion I made on this blog, the last time Broughton's magnet program was discussed here. I was given to understand that that was completely impossible. I think the person arguing against was a Broughton alumni. Now that Broughton parents of current students are moving in the direction of letting the magnet program go, I wonder if this will be another alumni/current student battle like the parking?
It sounds to me, anyway, that Broughton parents realize that they cannot win the battle of public opinion on this one. Sure, they could protest the reassignments - but at the end of the day, the magnet population needs to be increased to justify the magnet program. I would be on the side of the WCPSS myself, if Broughton parents tried to have their cake AND eat it.
Imagine if all high schools
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 07:53 — Dadof3Imagine if all the high schools getting the same amount of attention that Broughton gets.
So, some parents are more equal than others -- but that's not my fight. Break this monster up. Let Raleigh dictate Broughton policy any way it wishes. I don't live there, don't care to, and I respect their wishes. Let them social engineer themselves into the catastrophic blight that other social utopias have achieved -- I have kids to raise.