Funding gap narrows between Wake and Charlotte schools

I don't think the growth here is all that transient -- sure, we all came here for good jobs, good climate and quality of life.  And, if the jobs disappear and go elsewhere, many will be forced to leave, but that's been true of every location in the country.

 What you do see, though, is a bunch of people who came from places with great schools in much smaller districts and they're in a bit of shock when they become familiar with the monstrosity that WCPSS has become.

Just as an example, most smaller school districts recognize that their main supporters are parents.  So, they go out of their way to be as parent-friendly as possible.  But, WCPSS is so large that it's really out of touch with the needs of families.  And, as a result, you see things like early-release Wednesdays, year-round calendars, constant reassignments, etc....  The original Forest Pines fiasco ("We'll put the temporary school where WE want it, not where the parents want it") is another example.

Well, I'm not running at this time, but you can do the next best thing and vote for Goldman, Prickett, Malone or Tedesco :-) They get what the issues are and what needs to happen and they see the possibilities.

My hometown (on a much smaller scale than the Triangle) actually has seen periods of growth, and unlike the Triangle periods of decline, which means that there has been transience although maybe not as preplanned as for some here. If you think dealing with growth is tough, try rapid growth, rapid decline, strong growth, strong decline, decent growth, slow decline. For example, my HS was built for 650 but enrollment went to 1100 (then economy started to decline but voters approved a bond for additions anyway), then down to 800, then back to over 1100. One of those growth spurts included a new, large lower income Arab population that spoke little or no English and no one in town knew how to speak Arabic. A lot of the younger ones got a start in the pre-K program. The older ones to the 80% F&R school that is still meeting AYP. Did the teachers run screaming from the school? Nope, they worked through it. They have weathered the changes by keeping the right priorities and attitudes like focusing on can instead of can't and coming together as a community. There have been long time residents that have helped with that, but certainly newcomers have joined in.

While I agree that there are some here who are temporary, there are also many longer time residents and people who plan to stay. Actually, in my area of Wake turnover is very low. I do believe that sense of community can happen here, but we have to start by changing certain attitudes and assumptions that seem to divide.

So, I keep hearing about inequitable resources between different middle and high schools here. I know there will be differences with magnet v. non-magnet, but sounds like this is between different non-magnets. Can you help me understand how/why that is happening? My understanding is that resources are allocated based on enrollment and we are all one district so it's not like one school (outside of magnets) should be getting more funding per student. So, is it a matter of how/to what the schools are deciding to allocate funds or is it that they allocate things on enrollment without consideration of demand (i.e. each HS of X size gets 3 art classes that can have up to 30 students (i.e. 90 spots) regardless of whether 70 students or 120 want to take art)? Or are the differences in things that say the PTA helps fund? Also, please tell me that at least at the HS level they have enough textbooks for each kid.

Support the ADHS band by buying BBQ at their fundraiser tomorrow (10:00 - 5:30) - lunch orders of 6 or more plates will be delivered to area businesses or smaller orders can be picked up at the Swift Creek Community Center. I don't have a HS student, but I saw the signs they posted around the community. It does happen a little bit here :-)