The school board's discussion of funding Leesville Road Middle School's conversion to year-round saw some sharp words thrown out.
Beverley Clark kicked things off Tuesday by saying they need to base this year's budget on the immediate situation facing Wake. She said the growth now facing Wake doesn't demand converting LRMS, especially when several year-round middle schools are under capacity.
Clark said it especially makes sense to delay conversion because the state Supreme Court hasn't ruled yet on the year-round case. She expects consent forms will have to go out.
"For this year, why would we spend the money to make the conversion and not wait?" Clark said.
But Lori Millberg said there has to be a point when decisions made by the board are final. She said you can't bringing up issues to see if you'll get a different result.
If they delayed conversion, Millberg said she can't imagine what would happen to the families whose applications were accepted to enter or leave LRMS.
"It’s very, very unfair to put this community in turmoil," Millberg said.
Since the board had voted 6-2 in November to convert LRMS, chairwoman Rosa Gill asked if it could be brought up again on Tuesday.
Board attorney Ann Majestic said it's possible to discuss it as budget issue. She compared it to Congress passing enabling legislation but then not funding a program.
Ron Margiotta said removing the funding for the conversion would allow him to vote for the budget.
"I can’t support a conversion of a school when it’s just not necessary this year," Margiotta said.
Margiotta, like Clark, said they could always convert LRMS in the future if the need is greater.
Eleanor Goettee asked if Asst. Supt. Chuck Dulaney could discuss the "compelling reasons" for converting LRMS if they were going to bring up the issue again.
Horace Tart asked how much had been spent so far on conversion.
Chief Business Officer David Neter said they're planning on reusing carts from other year-round schools. (That's $100,000 of the $250,000 figure cited by CCLP in saying going forward with conversion would waste money.)
Dulaney said the only money spent so far has been postage letting people know if they've been accepted in or out of LRMS.
Patti Head pointed out that the teacher transfer fair had already been held and that they had spent a lot of time on the issue.
But Clark said the board didn't have the updated capacity figures for each school when they approved the conversion. She said the need for conversion is less compelling with all the families that will not give consent this year.
“If this is not a compelling need why would we spend the funds if it’s not needed at this time?" Clark said.
The board then voted 5-3 against removing the funding from the budget. Clark, Margiotta and Tart were on the losing side.
Comments
well well well, delegated to "on-line only"....how convenient
Sat, 04/04/2009 - 09:26 — AngelaWhttp://blogs.newsobserver.com/opinion/leesville-road-and-other-school-letters
I just watched on tape the
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 20:09 — shank56I just watched on tape the public hearing portion of the board meeting, and I am very impressed by the factual presentations, courtesy, and respect shown to the BOE by Lisa, Eric and Louise. We do not always agree (totally) , but your professionalism is to be commended and I admire YOUR passion and dedication.
I was equally impressed by the remarks from the reps on the TIME committee , speaking on behalf of the PLC decision.
Thank You
Fri, 04/03/2009 - 08:31 — Lisa_BHey Shank56:
Thank you very much for the kind words. This has obvioiusly been a VERY emotional time for us, and the closer this unwanted and unjustified conversion comes to becoming a reality at LRMS, the harder it is to fathom. I have only been involved in school issues for 4 years, while Louise is a true pioneer. (and Eric's involvement as a calm, rational, honest person sure has been refreshing too)
Having undeniable facts on our side should make this a no-brainer, but unfortunately we do not have a judge presiding over this issue. When political agendas get in the way, logic and reason seem to go out the door. It is a shame that the WCPSS School Board operates in that way. That is one HUGE reason I am so excited about the new WSCA alliance. People from all over the county are coming together to make a REAL difference. That in itself is energizing.
In the end, we are just parents looking out for what is best for the families and the staff members in our community. We will continue to fight for what is right, and will remain hopeful that logic and common sense prevail. (and we have 250,000 reasons/$ to keep LRMS on the traditional calendar too--sure doesn't hurt!)
P.S. Was the footage available online? I am so curious to see the budget discussion that occured after I left.
Lisa and Shank56
Fri, 04/03/2009 - 10:10 — louiselee44My heartfelt thanks as well - to both of you...
Time Warner in Raleigh
Fri, 04/03/2009 - 09:23 — shank56Time Warner in Raleigh broadcasts the entire meeting on Thursdays and Fridays (I think) at 1:00 pm. So set your dvr for channel 11 at 1:00 today.
Thank You For The Info
Fri, 04/03/2009 - 11:43 — Lisa_BHey Shank56:
Thanks! I'll set my DVR.
Since I had prepared remarks but didn't use my notes, I can't even remember what I said. (If only I had given more thought to hair/makeup/wardrobe before that meeting too!) :)
Speaking of funding...
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 14:07 — louiselee44...just heard about this - worth going just to hear the dynamics :-)
http://wakeupwakecounty.com/cms/node/121
Thank you for that
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 14:55 — Big_PictureThank you for that announcement. WEP Stan Norwalk and Bigger Picture in bed together. Shocking.
A chance to speak up - April 6th
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 13:30 — louiselee44Several people have mentioned contacting Wake County Commissioners with various concerns. Unless something changes, their next meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 6th. Now is the time to really speak up in person and not just discuss the need to do so! See below for details.
Wake County Board of Commissioners
Meeting Procedures
The Board meets on the first and third Mondays of each month (unless changed for holidays or other reasons) in the Wake County Courthouse, Room 700, 7th floor. The meetings begin at 2 p.m., with public comments at 3 p.m. A 30-minute sign-up period precedes each public comment period.
afraid of the facts?
Wed, 04/01/2009 - 18:04 — louiselee44Those School Board members have received a lot of new, very pertinent facts and concrete data SINCE the other times they discussed this! Are they afraid of what it shows? It's either that or some of them never bothered to study the NEW information placed in their hands.
We deserve to hear the so-called rationale behind their decision!!!
The game of *protect the
Fri, 04/03/2009 - 10:57 — Big_PictureThe game of *protect the guilty* has got to end. Keep the pressure on and the truth will expose the coverups.
SUCH an UNINFORMED Decision
Wed, 04/01/2009 - 14:00 — Lisa_BHey Keung:
Thanks for providing this update. We have to be thankful for those who actually PAID ATTENTION to the facts and gave this some thought (Beverley, Ron, Horace) I wonder what happened to Anne M? I thought she also voted to continue with traditional?
Could you please let me know what "compelling reasons" Chuck Dulaney came up with when questioned by Eleanor? I am DYING of curiousity, since I am 100% confident that THERE ARE NONE.
As for the postage already paid to send letters, I'll be happy to reimburse WCPSS for that $20 and then they can save the county $250,000---WOULD THAT WORK? I would guess that the vast majority of those who wanted OUT would love to stay, and of course our Wood Valley friends are receiving conflicting info (or NO info) so they're up in the air and we'd love to have them stay. (there is still space on the traditional calendar!)
What a JOKE to hear Lori Millberg said "It’s very, very unfair to put this community in turmoil". Well, it appears that she FINALLY got something right. What she conveniently forgot to mention is that it is WCPSS who has already put Leesville in turmoil, and we have suffered with unnecessary MYR at LES for 2 years now. They have the ability now to CORRECT THEIR MISTAKES and prevent further damage---if she REALLY cared about our community she'd do something about it.
I hate to admit this, but I am hoping that the County Commissioners actually cut the budget for WCPSS. Best case scenario, they'll approve the total amount but specify the $250,000 that is designated for a MYR conversion at LRMS needs to be used to fund programs or teacher salaries or something WORTHWILE and cannot be WASTED on the MYR conversion.
Better yet, the State Supreme Court ruling will come back in favor of Wake Cares and MYR can be HISTORY for good.
I guess we'll keep dreaming about a family-friendly future, and keep FIGHTING the insanity!!
McLaurin did vote last week
Wed, 04/01/2009 - 14:30 — KeungHui (author)McLaurin did vote last week to study converting some schools to a tradtional calendar. But when it came to a specific vote on Leesville yesterday, she sided with the majority.
Dulaney actually wound up not having to get up and discuss the reasons.
No Compelling Reasons???
Wed, 04/01/2009 - 14:35 — Lisa_BHey Keung:
Thanks for all you're doing. Just to clarify---Chuck Dulaney didn't even get up to give the "compelling reasons" when Eleanor questioned what they were?
Without Chuck even trying to spin any "compelling reasons", and knowing 100% that if they go through with this unjustified conversion they are wasting $250,000, WHAT in the world did those 6 people use to justify this waste???
They said they had discussed
Wed, 04/01/2009 - 14:38 — KeungHui (author)They said they had discussed the issue before many times.
Who is "They"?
Wed, 04/01/2009 - 14:44 — Lisa_BHey Keung:
So Eleanor asked, Chuck was in attendance, and he didn't even speak?
Let me guess---PATTI HEAD wouldn't allow a real discussion to take place? It just burns me up that she is VERY AWARE of the facts and still trys to pretend that there is a crisis in our area.
Jogging my memory, what I
Wed, 04/01/2009 - 15:48 — KeungHui (author)Jogging my memory, what I believe happened is that Rosa Gill said it didn't make sense for Dulaney to speak again uniess there was support on the board for not funding the conversion. After that no one asked him to get up. As I mentioned before, other board members who supported going ahead with the funding said they had discussed the issued before on many ocassions.
So in other words BoE knew
Wed, 04/01/2009 - 17:11 — Big_PictureSo in other words BoE knew there were no compelling reasons so they had to protect the guilty (Chuck D.)?
Lisa B tirelessly fighting
Wed, 04/01/2009 - 14:25 — Big_PictureLisa B tirelessly fighting for the good of her community; thankfully some things never change.
I hate to admit this, but I
Wed, 04/01/2009 - 14:22 — CaryCurmudgeonI hate to admit this, but I am hoping that the County Commissioners
actually cut the budget for WCPSS. Best case scenario, they'll approve
the total amount but specify the $250,000 that is designated for a MYR
conversion at LRMS needs to be used to fund programs or teacher
salaries or something WORTHWILE and cannot be WASTED on the MYR
conversion.
Better yet, the State Supreme Court ruling will come back in favor of Wake Cares and MYR can be HISTORY for good.
I hate to poop on your party, but I will. First, the new majority on the County Commission has already shown that they want the School Board to have more lattitude on how the spend money, not less. And even if they tried to cut or direct the $250K, Patti & Co. will dip into their slush fund like they did last time (for the 22 MYR conversions).
And I don't think WakeCARES prevailing in their lawsuit will mean that Leesville gets converted back to traditional. They can continue to operate on a YR calendar with a traditional opt-out and be within the law.
The only way to unconvert this school and others is to elect new board members who will decide to make it so.
I got some Rice-A-Roni
Wed, 04/01/2009 - 15:16 — g88ky07for you if you can elaborate here.
"The only way to unconvert this school and others
is to elect new board members who will decide to make it so."
So let's go with nothing happens until then.
That's probably a pretty sure bet, unless Chuck delivers on his threat to undo
them all because he gets his feelings hurt after losing the case!
THIS is what I want to hear from
these people surfacing who want to run. WHAT are they going to do to
UNDO this MYR mess and how soon is it going to happen?
The amount of educators being lost, programs being
cut and BIG money being wasted in MANY of these MYR camps
that are not needed, and especially those under capacity, with even more opt
outs to come after tracks get forcibly changed, IS ABSURD!!!
How long after October 6th do we have to wait to
get our lives back??? These people need to devise a plan that addresses the
MYR issue and have out in front of their campaigns and often!
MERCY for those who have caused this mess and are carrying out
the chaos for them! Don't let up and the CC"s defintely need an ear
full! They are next in line!
g88KY07
Wed, 04/01/2009 - 23:26 — DrActualFactualA previous post said that many students were no-shows at Green Hope Elementary (a school that has been converted back) IF THE COURT RULING COMES DOWN IN MAY FOR wcpss THEY HAVE SAID THEY WILL THEN FORCE PEOPLE TO GO WHEREVER THEY WANT TO PUT THEM. IF THE DECISION GOES TO WAKE CARES YOU GET AT LEAST AN OPT OUT OR PERHAPS THEY REVERT TO TRADITIONAL. hOPEFULLY THEY WON'T SCRAP VYR TOTALLY--WHO KNOW. BUT IF NOOOOOO DECISION COMES DOWN IN MAY THEN PARENTS MAY NEED TO TAKE MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS BY WITHDRAWING THEIR KIDS FROM SCHOOL AT THE END OF THE YEAR AND NOT INDICATING WHERE YOU PLAN TO SEND THEM. THEN YOU GO TO THE SCHOOL OF YOUR CHOICE ON THE DAY YOU WANT TO START AND BRING YOUR PAPERWORK FOR ADMITTANCE. THE PREVIOUS GREEN HOPE SITUATION AS PER THE BLOG DID NOT RESULT IN THE KIDS BEING NOT PROMOTED EVEN THOUGH THEY SHOWED UP SIX WEEKS OR MORE AFTER THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO START. IN THE END THEY CONVERTED THE SCHOOL BACK. I KNOW THIS SOUNDS HUGHELY NONCOMPLIANT BUT WHAT ARE PARENTS LEFT TO DO? WE HAVE TO TAKE A STAND SOMEWHERE. THIS WOULD BE DANGEROUS AT THE MS LEVEL BASED ON BLOCK CLASS STRUCTURE AND 8TH GRADERS WOULD LIKELY SUFFER THE MOST IF TAKING EARLY HS COURSES--YOU MAY WANT TO SEND THEM ON THE TRACK ASSIGNED. THE ONLY THING I CAN SAY IS IF YOU BUMP IT UP A NOTCH TO CREATE CHAOS FOR THEM IT MIGHT GET THEIR ATTENTION. I HOPE IT DOESN'T HAVE TO COME TO THIS BUT DESPERATE TIME CALL FOR DESPERATE MEASURES. IF YOU TRULY HAVE THE PARENTS ON BOARD THIS NONCOMPLIANCE MAY WORK FOR YOU BUT IT COULD ALSO BACKFIRE IN SOME UNEXPLORED WAY. GOOD LUCK, SORRY THE LEESVILLE SAGA CONTINUES. IF THEY ULTIMATELY CONVERT I HOPE LARGE TEACHERS LOSS WON'T OCCUR.
Thanks for the idea and info!
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 09:12 — g88ky07I like the sound of that and would like to know more about how it worked for those that took this approach or from anyone who knows more about this!
Two, or Two Thousand, can play their game!
Candidates who want the
Wed, 04/01/2009 - 16:32 — CaryCurmudgeonCandidates who want the WSCA endorsement must commit to abolishing Mandatory Year Round, but keeping Voluntary Year Round (even if Chuck says different). These candidates must also commit to stable neighborhood schools, and most importanty, better education for ALL Wake County children.
The root of these objectives is simple, we want School Board members who listen to parents and understand that they serve us, not the staff and not their own personal agenda.
In the case of the Leesville conversion, I believe several School Board members put their ego's ahead of the best interests of our school system. There can be no other explanation. Track assignments haven't even gone out, there's no way parents were 'making plans' already. And in the same week they make a decision which changes schedules for the entire county, not just one school campus.
Watch for candidates who are endorsed by WEP and the other groups who have been propping up WCPSS -- those are the 'more of the same' candidates. We have already seen one candidate who was recruited by Stan Norwalk to run. They won't run on a 'more of the same' platform, but if Stan and WEP are backing them, you know what you can expect.
Very good to hear and know.
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 15:32 — g88ky07"commit to abolishing Mandatory Year Round"
That should get 20,000+ votes there!
"stable neighborhood schools,"
BINGO BANGO!
"better education for ALL Wake County children"
DONE!
Any noise on a Dist2 candidate with that perspective??
Update
Wed, 04/01/2009 - 22:54 — CaryCurmudgeonRita Rakestraw is the first of the status-quo candidates to announce. She has the backing of Stan Norwalk and is already firing up the fund raising engine. Rita spoke briefly at tonight's CCCAC meeting, and said she was in support of wcpss policies. She has my respect for running for office, and being straightforward about her beliefs. WEP has already fired up their PR machine, hosting a round table tomorrow featuring Mr. Kahlenberg. WakeUp Wake County is not far behind, hosting an education forum on May 12th where they may roll out more candidates. You can register for their forum at http://wakeupwakecounty.com/cms/node/121
If WakeUp Wake County or
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 14:19 — Eric_BIf WakeUp Wake County or WEP endorse a candidate for school board, I have an Letter of Complaint ready to be filed to the IRS.
Non-profits that accept tax deductible contributions are not allowed to endorse political candidates!
Given...
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 14:25 — supportwcpssThat they never have endorsed anyone and adamantly say they don't when I have attended their functions I don't know why you feel the need to make this comment.
Who is "they"? WEP or
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 14:41 — Eric_BWho is "they"? WEP or WakeUP Wake County?
WEP has undertaken advocacy for passing the 2006 school bond. This may have been illegal. See, for example:
http://www.wakeedpartnership.org/news/edubrief_archives/20061013.html
and the mention of support for the bond and the bond rally held at the RBC Center.
IRS regulations state:
Of course, school board elections are different than legislative activity and are even more strictly regulated. WEP and WakeUP Wake County will be under scrutiny to make sure they do not violate IRS regulations and I can ensure you that a letter of complaint will be filed with the IRS if these regulations are violated.
The last thing we need is corporate money donated through WEP used to influence school board elections. If they clearly state they do not endorse candidates, great!
Sha ZAM! Most excellent
Fri, 04/03/2009 - 10:30 — Big_PictureSha ZAM! Most excellent research Eric B.
Pathetic
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 10:49 — supportwcpssTo label people before we know anything about them. Norwalk backs her so she must be bad.
Pathetic.
...
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 14:43 — SideburnsGlad you agree. :>)
I'll 2nd it!
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 15:27 — g88ky07PATHETIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is there ANY reason
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 09:01 — g88ky07why ANY of us should support someome who Stan Norwalk is behind?
I doubt it!
Rita's Own Words
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 08:59 — KnightdaleParentFrom the Sept. 7, 2006 Eastern Wake News fighting the Wal_Mart rezoning that she lost.
“I’ve learned a lot from this situation,” Rakestraw said. “I’ve learned that you have to be persistent. You have to be upbeat and keep talking to your neighbors. I’ve also learned that elected officials sometimes don’t listen to the people. It seems like they’re voting with their own interests in mind, not the interests of the people who elected them in the first place.
I hope we can change that."
Maybe we can hold her to her own words if she does win.
Did Kahlenberg speak
Wed, 04/01/2009 - 23:02 — DrActualFactualDid Kahlenberg speak tonight--any recap for us?
Yes, he gave a
Wed, 04/01/2009 - 23:14 — CaryCurmudgeonYes, he gave a presentation. Email me and I'll get you my notes. Nothing new in the presentation that we haven't heard already.
I think one candidate for
Wed, 04/01/2009 - 18:03 — gwaihirI think one candidate for Millberg's seat was invited to observe a board meeting by Millberg - I'm pretty sure I read that in the N&O or in a blog post by Mr Hui. I guess that is another way to differentiate the candidates. If they look like they are being "groomed" by board memebers, then they are likely the status quo candidates.
I'd be suspicious of what any candidates say prior to the election, frankly. Didn't Eleanor Goettee have a change of heart after her election? Any one can say anything. Best to look at the track record - look at past actions, not campaign promises. 4 years is a long time to wait to the next election...
I hope things do change after this election. So many houses are up for sale that are not moving, and this has deterred us from listing our house at present. Part of the reason is the economy of course. However, I wonder how many people moving to this area are now avoiding the Wake school system? Trianglemommies for example, get a lot of hits from relocating families wanting info, and they get warned about the reassignments.
I know of one family leaving
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 09:52 — Falcto move back to area where I am from (which is doing much worse economically than here) whether their house sells here or not. They happen to have jobs that they can do from any place.
One of the primary reasons - want their kids in their home town school district instead of WCPSS.
I really worry what will happen to this area and the school system long-term if these trends continue.
And I know 10
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 10:53 — supportwcpssFamilies who just moved here because of a job and unbelievable low cost of living. Until the growth goes negative which will not happen in our lifetime I don't think we have anything to worry about.
And I know 14
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 15:20 — g88ky07that said Poo on it and left since January 1st! 8 said they'd leave today had they stayed around long enough to get start time and early release FEST shoved down their throats!
Next!
Unbelievable low cost of living
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 13:24 — Falccompared to some areas of the country, but certainly not others. As I recall, you are from the NE so from your perspective that may be the case, but not the case for others.
When I moved here we paid 2x for the same square footage home and my salary here was same as the job I left there.
My concern is that the area where I live is not growing and more NED families continue to leave for private school and where that leaves the public schools. They leave not because they do not want their kids to go to school with certain kids but because they are frustrated by reassignment and the non-lottery application process.
Cost of living, not unbelievable
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 11:33 — Voice_of_Reason_Don't kid yourself, I moved from Oklahoma City three years ago. I could buy a nicer home about 30% less, the food prices were lower, restaurants were cheaper, and the property taxes were a lot lower. The city had a decent growth plan and had wonderful leadership. School land was already dedicated for future growth for the distant future. True, the schools weren't that good except in the suburbs. However, a very good improvement plan was in place. The city was larger than Raleigh in size and similar in population. Bad points were the extreme weather, travel distances, the lack of diversity (not racial or ethnic, but not a lot of transplants from other states like here.. bad because of "clickish" behavior in business) and lack of high paying jobs. Oh yeah, another good point, a lack of liberals (even among most Democrats).
Talk about lying...
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 11:57 — supportwcpssYou dont think anyone is going to check on your claims. I spent 5 minutes looking up Oklahoma City. Apples and oranges. Yes the cost of living is less because housing is 50% less. Of course you forgot to mention that salaries are 25% less. Basically it's a much poorer area with nowhere close the number of high paying jobs or industries.
As for property taxes, I looked up the rates and overall the % is the same. Of course the overall taxes are lower because the houses are cheaper. I don't know about their schools but a quick look at a few ranking sites don't put them very high at all in terms of numbers and impression.
Talk about a know it all!
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 15:21 — g88ky07being decimated by your buddies!
You need to know more
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 12:33 — Voice_of_Reason_Unlike Raleigh, the school system is neighborhood schools, some public schools are pretty good. Wealth is generally confined to the suburbs like Edmond, OK so the income levels appear lower. From my observations living there for many years the true poverty is much higher here. Money went a lot further there. The infrastructur is in much better shape than Raleigh. The parks are better, the libraries are better, the interstate system is better, the downtown growth is also better. The airport is slightly smaller, but just as nice. BTW- I did mention that high paying jobs were less plentiful. To be fair, it's not quite so hilly, rocky, and wooded.. and definitely not so scenic as it is here.
Oh I forgot to add, a world class Vo-Tech system.
“However, I wonder how
Wed, 04/01/2009 - 20:57 — user1234“However, I wonder how many people moving to this area are now avoiding the Wake school system?”
I don’t know if you saw in the paper that our unemployment rate is above 10% not because of a lack of jobs but because so many people are moving here. At this time, I don’t think schools and assignments are on people’s mind as much as employment and survival. Worries about schools are way do the list for many desperate families looking for work now.
I saw it. However, I also
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 19:56 — gwaihirI saw it.
However, I also see relocating families coming to Trianglemommies to ask about the North Durham school system, or the Chapel Hill system, or the new schools in northern Chatham.
There's more options than Wake for people moving to work in the Triangle, you know.
I find that interesting if true
Wed, 04/01/2009 - 22:27 — Voice_of_Reason_I think people really take a leap of faith to move somewhere new without a job in hand. If they do, they are probably in that F&R category already. But here is an anecdotal observation from my daughter in Wakefield MS; she says several members of her class are moving out of state because their parents lost their jobs or their salaries were reduced. I think that this is a more likely trend we will see since a lot of people in Raleigh don't have roots here. People that fall on hard times usually rely on family. In addition, the Mexican "visitor" population has been reduced because of the slow down in construction jobs. I actually predict the school system will be way short on their growth predictions. But that's just silly me, I guess time will tell.
Mark your calendar
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 08:43 — user1234"I actually predict the school system will be way short on their growth predictions. But that's just silly me, I guess time will tell."
I'll put that on my calendar ... my bet is that growth will not be the hyper levels of the past but will continue to be above surrounding areas. Also, the demographics will change like you mentioned … fewer LE as Mexicans move home and more F&R as old and new residents lose their jobs.
Sadly, now is the probably the best time to buy property for new schools with so many companies and builders going out of business. There are probably all kinds of deals on land that could be used in the future when the economy picks back up …. Think 20 years in the future planning …