It looks like Concerned and Committed Leesville Parents is turning to the ballot box now that the courts and the school board have had their say on year-round schools.
In a press release sent today, Lisa Boneham, CCLP's founder. says the group is moving forward even though Leesville Road Middle School's conversion is basically a done deal. She said they've joined forces with Wake Schools Community Alliance and are looking forward to this fall's school board elections.
"Leesville Parents see this fall's School Board elections as their chance to put more responsive and family-friendly board members into place, and fortunately the District 7 School Board position is available," Boneham says in the press release. "...WakeSCA and CCLP both believe that the WCPSS has strayed from families, stability, and academic excellence, and they look forward to October's elections as the chance to put the focus back on what should be important."
Comments
The Truth About "The Yard Signs"
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:27 — Lisa_BHey Pink Slip:
I am assuming the comment is in reference to the yard signs we had made up. They were not made up in a huge quantity so they're not for sale anywhere, but there will be more (and LARGER ONES) coming soon.
Contrary to what the anonymous blogger is trying to infer, our signs do not say "Don't buy in this neighborhood" or "Buyer Beware" or anything at all that would keep people from purchasing houses in our neighborhood. If there is something out there to that effect, they are NOT our signs and I have not seen them.
One sign says:
One Campus One Calendar
Traditional Calendar for Leesville Schools
No Year Round
Another design says:
www.1Campus1Calendar.com
Stop Splitting Leesville Families
No Year Round
I have one in my own yard that says:
No More MYR For Leesville Schools
Our Bumper Stickers Say:
Keep Our Families Together
One Campus - One Calendar
No MYR For Leesville
It is comical that someone would actually think CCLP has done ANYTHING to hurt property values in our area. Be honest---WHY would anyone EVER try to hurt property values in their own neighborhoods??? We want to keep property values as high as we can, and along with keeping our families together we are trying to reverse the negative CAUSED BY WCPSS WITH MYR.
For some reason this anonymous blogger has issues and feels the need to place blame somewhere, but in this case it is wrongly placed on a group working to BRING THE COMMUNITY BACK TOGETHER. If he/she was actually aware of the entire situation, then he/she would know that it is WCPSS who forced MYR on our community and many others, and it is MYR that SLAMMED the housing market here, long before the recession even had an effect.
We have a small group in our community who are Pro-YR and do not want LES or LRMS to be traditional (well, at least not UNTIL THEIR OLDEST CHILD REACHES HIGH SCHOOL--that is understandable, and they are entitled to their own opinions as long as they don't attack others). There is also the occasional anonymous blogger who is just out to stir up trouble, but we can continue to be proud of what we are working for and what we have accomplished. When you're looking out for the community AS A WHOLE and working toward a solution that will bring CALENDAR CONTINUITY TO ALL FAMILIES ON THE LEESVILLE CAMPUS, the support is automatically going to be positive. FULL STEAM AHEAD.
I have been out of town all weekend, but as I catch up on my e-mails all I can say is WOW, what a positive buzz there is in regard to Deborah Prickett announcing that she's running for School Board. I am sorry I wasn't able to attend the WSCA meeting Saturday---sounds like it was GREAT.
For a community that has continued to rally and become even stronger each time we've had negative and UNJUSTIFIED CHANGES thrown at us by the School Board, we're THRILLED to have the possibility of FINALLY having such an honest, responsive, and caring person representing District 7 on the School Board.
Duplicate CCLP
Sat, 05/09/2009 - 10:49 — PinkSlipWhat a better place Wake County could be if every community did what Lisa B is doing for the Leesville Community. While teachers can't be vocal, we stand in silent support of this unifying effort. Thank you from those of us who must publicly tow the WCPSS line. You are sincerely appreciated.
No YR yard sign? I missed
Fri, 05/08/2009 - 00:04 — Big_PictureNo YR yard sign? I missed that the first time reading through your scattered and rambling diatribe. Tell me please, where can I get them and can I get a quantity discount? I'll plaster my 'hood. Better yet we can plaster the county. Yes indeed MYR has hurt property values but you selfishly choose to deceive newcomers. Mighty neighborly of you.
Come come; now just who is *me me me* as you try to hide the disgusting truth from newcomers? Yard signs will provide fair warning. Love it.
More Yard Signs Please
Sat, 05/09/2009 - 11:25 — PinkSlipWhere are these signs? Put them everywhere. I see a lot of bumper stickers on cars. I see even more hidden inside teacher binders and on teacher refrigerators. The more visible the better, but teachers can't help here. Where is 60 Minutes?
Oh My!
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 18:52 — Fabulous1500CCLP has just proclaimed that they support a group of individuals that despise diversity and are pushing for neighborhood schools. Neighborhoods that most can't afford to live in. Better check to see if you’re on that email distribution list. It's the same old sorry, pity me" I'm an affluent white middle class taxpayer who refuses to understand all the complexities of MYR and diversity so I will cling on to whoever is out there that can plead my case! After all, that’s all I’m interested in. ME! ME! ME! The Wake County School System is nationally recognized for its diversity policy. Doesn't anyone understand the ramifications that the neighborhood schools would cost?? MORE MONEY PEOPLE! Pay attention all you transplants who moved here primarily because the cost of living. Using MYR reduces costs of building NEW schools, which cost a whole hell of a lot more than MYR. And they also cost less than the costs it would take to keep a staff of teachers/administrators at a high f&r school. In case you haven't noticed, it's a NEW world out there. And in order to compete globally we need to think DIFFERENTLY. CCLP supports this new group…a group partially lead by a man who supports vouchers. Vouchers which by the way will only make him more cha ching because he has 3 or 4 charters he’s making money on. AGENDAS! AGENDAS! AGENDAS! About the “No YR” yard signs…yes let’s make the property values of homes trying to sell a little less $$. Who the hell wants to move to a neighborhood whose yard signs make us question the schools?? Hmmm…PP better think about what you want in your neighborhood. Cuz, if you neighbors can’t sell…there goes your home value. Oops! It’s not a question of mudslinging. It’s a question of who will understand all the complexities that diversity and a growing population does to a community. To just say “I support so and so because she’s gonna reverse the situation I’m in” is to think with a CLOSED Mind. This constant complaining just keeps dragging the Leesville community down a little further each time. That’s all they’re achieving. We’re tired of listening to it and reading it. BTW do you all realize that there is about only 7 of you who waste countless hours on this and other blogs? What about spending time with the family?? Isn’t that what you’re crying about? Lack of family time MYR creates? Then stop blogging and go read your kid a story!! I’m also starting to think there are alter egos in this blog. You can’t say it under your name so you’ll say it under another. Aren’t I right??!! Yep…I think I am. Prozac anyone? Oh wait I think it was a Tums commercial?!!! I just can’t remember. Big Picture...you are not.
Wow
Sun, 05/10/2009 - 08:01 — Dadof3Psychologists have long discredited catharsis theory. Here's proof why.
Why all the bitterness?
Sun, 05/10/2009 - 07:33 — designmanFabulous1500,
A stream of consciousness steeped in insults, bitterness, misinformation, and disengenuousness is not really the same thing as a constructive argument, and it s certainly is not reflective of an open mind.
By they way, I'd prefer to have schools that are recognized for more than diversity. Diversity is essentially a neutral factor with regard to education; first and foremost, schools should strive to be recognized for excellence and achievement for ALL students.
All the diversity policy in Wake County has done is to disperse the students with academic challenges throughout the system so that it is less evident that their needs are not being met. The achievement gap for low income students remains wide. Doesn't it make more sense to focus the available time, money, and energy on finding solutions that actually work?
Also, here is something you may want to consider in future posts: paragraphs.
"disperse the students with
Sun, 05/10/2009 - 10:39 — user1234"disperse the students with academic challenges throughout the system"
You understand these kids live in your community (e.g. 5 mile radius)? They are naturally distributed around the county. Take a look at the F&R map and you will see the red dots are not concentrated in downtown ghettos .... so, don't think of diversity as bussing ghetto kids to your school but more like including the trailer park / apartment complex down the road as one of your nodes.
I actually do understand
Sun, 05/10/2009 - 11:13 — designmanI actually do understand that. But that begs the questions as to why, for instance, some students are bused from the Wake/Durham county line to attend school in Apex 21 miles away and why other students are bused from, Rock Quarry Rd. in S.E. Raleigh to Panther Creek High School.
If F&Rs are naturally distributed, why wouldn't neighborhood schools be appropriately diverse enough so that constant reassignments would be unneccesary?
"If F&Rs are naturally
Sun, 05/10/2009 - 12:01 — user1234"If F&Rs are naturally distributed, why wouldn't neighborhood schools be appropriately diverse enough so that constant reassignments would be unneccesary? "
First, I think it all rests on "neighborhood". If neighborhood is defined as 1-2 miles around a school it probably is not real diverse. If you think of neighborhood as 6 miles around a school (e.g. community based) you pick up much more diversity. Note I am talking income here.
Second, the constant reassignments are 2/3 growth and 1/3 diversity. Growth just gives them a chance to rebalance schools. Town and County officials approve new development with adequate sewers and water but not adequate schools.
Third, constant reassignments is also due to poor planning where so many schools are opening all the time that kids are constantly being shuffled to fill seats. If we accepted a higher cost, a new school could remaing mostly empty and fill naturally over time instead of being 100% filled day one and kids would not "slosh" back and forth with each new opening.
Fourth, if I were the WCPSS, I would remove any "wierd" node assignment like you mention where when you look at the map you see one far off node. While those far off nodes don't involve a lot of kids they give amunition to their critics since they are so visual and easy to reference. Personally, I think many of these are "computer errors" where the computer did what it was told but a human would have "seen" the complications. Couple that problem with groups that don't have the money, experience, contacts and clout of MacGregor, Preston, or Leesville so they are ill informed and powerless to fight.
Fifth, there will always be a few outlier on either end - all black, all white, all poor, all rich - and without very harsh measures can not be corrected and so we live with them. But than we need to pour extra resources into schools with high concentrations of high needs kids to compensate.
Oh my is correct. Looks like
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 22:29 — Big_PictureOh my is correct. Looks like another clueless soul is drinkin' the WCPSS-aid. CCLP's success seems to have you chapped and a wee bit envious. Leave them to take care of their business and y'all just find someone else to bully. As for who WSCA is and what they are about you are off base but welcome to attend Saturday's meeting to become informed. Your ignorance does not warrant more of a response; show up Saturday if you want the truth.
The Wake County School
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 21:18 — SouthEastWakeMomThe Wake County School System is nationally recognized for its diversity policy.
I'd rather pay my taxes to and have my child enrolled in a district that is known nationally for its ACADEMIC achievements and QUALITY OF EDUCATION provided to all of the children enrolled in its schools.
WCPSS is nationally
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 21:47 — CaryCurmudgeonWCPSS is nationally recognized, by other education bureaucracies. There are about 60 school systems in the entire country that have adopted anything close to our assignment model. If WCPSS is such a beacon of diverse learning, you'd think a few more would follow suit.... Starting with Chapel Hill :)
Here's One For You!
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 20:34 — JanisTangoPlease explain how having Sycamore Creek on a MYR calendar with 450+ available seats is helping? How is that saving money and using the facility efficiently. Chucky boy himself said those seats are being 'SAVED' for overflow from Brier Creek and PROBABLY won't be needed for another 5 years (or ever IMO)! If they aren't needed for 5 years why use the facility 12 months of the year now! Explain that one to me! Even with the ruling from the supreme court they aren't planning on filling that school! It wasn't even listed in the 3 year reassigment plan!
"Please explain how having
Fri, 05/08/2009 - 17:41 — user1234"Please explain how having Sycamore Creek on a MYR calendar with 450+ available seats is helping?"
The website say the capacity is 862 and 648 attend so there are 214 available seats. Did something change?
On "save" we have discussed in other places the value of letting the population grow into the school over time so as not to be disruptive to surrounding school "sloshing" kids back and forth with each news school opening.
1124 student capacity
Fri, 05/08/2009 - 18:51 — Eric_BIt's 1124 student capacity next year. During the first year of operation a school's capacity is lower. Look here:
http://ap2008.wcpss.net/assignment-proposal/schools/569.html?view=profile1
Notice the projected capacity: 1124 (with 0 trailers)
We're talking about operating the school on a traditional calendar, not "sloshing" kids back and forth.
so are they going to have 20
Sat, 05/09/2009 - 13:48 — user1234so are they going to have 20 teachers (400/20 kid per)talking to empty classrooms?
Go figure. How does that
Sat, 05/09/2009 - 16:13 — Big_PictureGo figure. How does that make sense? Time to change status quo. Off to see Ms. Prickett.
The websites are always factual?
Fri, 05/08/2009 - 17:57 — g88ky07.
Fri, 05/08/2009 - 17:56 — g88ky07Alright, Patti Head is up from her nap!
Fri, 05/08/2009 - 07:25 — g88ky07You're not on the "distribution list", but 1,000's of others are! The 1,000's who will out # your sad bunch this fall and elect someone WHO GETS IT!
"nationally recognized for its diversity policy" so that's why SO many other districts and areas are following in the miserable footsteps of our lost school board huh!
"complexities of MYR and diversity" what complexities? you just force people to do as they're told and there's no problem is there.
"which cost a whole hell of a lot more than MYR" REALLY? tell that to the families with kids on 2 and 3 different calendars!
"neighborhood schools & vouchers" you betcha! Especially if it makes people like you this irritated!
"we need to think DIFFERENTLY" maybe you haven't looked around lately, but that's ALL they've done. and it's failed miserably!
"We’re tired of listening to it and reading it" we didn't ask you to stop by, so keep going on your way to Patti, Lori and Horace's poker game.
Lisa B., looks like we finally heard from 1 of the 3 who don't agree huh! A true "out of the box" non-thinker! Go take your Midol Patti Jr.!
We Really Are Excited About Our Mission And Our Direction
Wed, 05/06/2009 - 22:56 — Lisa_BHey Keung:
Thanks so much for all you do regarding Wake County education issues. As frustrating as it's been dealing with the "decision making tactics" of our School Board, you have been willing to give us a place to share ideas and opinions and I do appreciate it. It would be nice to have these issues truly exposed for the general public to see, but if that's not going to happen, at least we have this place to vent. You never know who actually reads these blogs.....there may be a time that the right person sees what is really going on in our school system, and has the power and authority to make POSITIVE changes.
Hearing Ms. Prickett's announcement today is really exciting. Knowing that there is someone with her qualifications and attitude interested in running for the District 7 seat is SOOOO refreshing to those of us who have felt ignored and even "targeted" these past few years. It is my hope that our new representative will be focused on FAMILIES, Stability, and Excellence in Education, and she seems to be a great candidate for that position. Yes, things are moving in the right direction.
I realize that getting the School Board to change their minds about Leesville Middle now are slim to none, but I do believe this should still be done for the 2009-10 school year. Since the facts clearly prove that it would be a COMPLETE WASTE of money to force that conversion, I still hold out hope that the recent budgeting problems will FORCE them to make some budget cuts that would be true savings and would NOT affect classrooms and staff members. Operating LRMS traditional and reversing MYR at several schools would be a GREAT start. Next year, with a new board in place, it is my hope that all MYR will become a thing of the past, and the year-round program will become voluntary once again.
THANKS to everyone at WakeSCA for all you are doing, and again THANKS Wake Cares for all you have done. It certainly feels like the tide is finally moving in the direction of FAMILY FRIENDLY policies and EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION. What an exciting few months this should be!
We're proud of you Lisa!
Wed, 05/06/2009 - 22:40 — momof2goodboysWe're proud of you Lisa!
Rock on Lisa B. Keep
Wed, 05/06/2009 - 19:17 — Big_PictureRock on Lisa B. Keep fighting for a responsive BoE. Keep the pressure on to abolish MYR. Your new District 7 candidate is impressive too. The future is looking brighter for Leesville every day.