The school system could crack down on students who are illegally attending school in Wake.
School board members have asked that the policy committee review what steps should be taken if a student who is not living in Wake County is found to be attending school in the district without permission. Non-Wake residents are generally only in the district if they're paying tuition.
While some of you guys may scoff, there are a lot of people who live in the surrounding counties who would much rather attend school in Wake.
(Before you guys get caught up into a debate over illegal immigration, the U.S. Supreme Court says students who are in the country illegally are required to be educated in the public schools. They're valid county residents. No such guarantee exists for legal U.S. residents who are not valid residents of the district they want to attend.)
The issue came up earlier this month when Asst. Supt. Chuck Dulaney gave information on the proposed tuition rate for the 2009-10 school year. (The board approved on Tuesday a tuition rate of $4,290 in 2009-10, up from $4,083 this school year.)
Dulaney explained to board members that tuition isn't charged to make money. But he said they needed to set a rate to deal with those few cases a year when tuition is charged.
Dulaney said tuition is charged when a non-Wake student is found to be in the district. There are also times when a family moving out of Wake wants their children to continue their education here, such as rising seniors.
Dulaney said they'll discover a few cases a year in which families who live near one of the borders with Wake are sending their children into the district. He said sometimes it's a mistake by the family and other times it's deliberate.
Dulaney said they don't want to disrupt a child's education so they'll offer the the option of paying tuition to stay the rest of the school year. But they're expected to leave after that point.
The families are also expected to pay tuition for the years they were illegally in Wake.
Dulaney told the case of one family that was in the district using a false address for eight or nine years. They balked at paying the rather large bill for back tuition.
School board member Patti Head questioned why they're letting non-Wake residents stay at a school when they're making people move who are legal Wake residents but who are using a false address.l. While they're not paying tuition, they are told they have to go to their correct school.
School board member Lori Millberg agreed that while they might not kick out a student with just a month to go they might do so in September.
We'll see how this get handled by the board's policy committee.
Comments
Illegally in schools
Mon, 06/22/2009 - 02:09 — klanders65I don't think Wake can make much from charging tuition, and I don't much want to punish kids whose parents are in a bad situation. Remember when those millions were stolen from the transportation dept. and the excuse for not noticing was that they spend millions per day and would hardly notice a few million missing.
Within Wake, many wealthy parents fake addresses to get into Ligon, or code their children as "mixed race." Everyone is mixed race. Race isn't even real. The definitions of race vary by culture and over time.
I have had friends who faked addresses to or purchased homes they didn't live in to get into the most desirable magnet schools. That to me, is worse than undocumented people sending their innocent children to our schools.
Opposite problem
Sun, 06/21/2009 - 09:29 — cframeWe have the opposite problem in the schools in Western Johnston County. We have MANY Wake County students who claim they live in Johnston County just to go to our schools. This is a really difficult issue. Our high school is 1000 kids over capacity and the middle schools are capped. We don't have the time or resources to check the address of every single student. Too bad all of the Wake County Schools aren't up to the same standard, but it is a diverse place, huh?
What a riot!
Sat, 06/20/2009 - 09:02 — kmisegadesWhat a riot! WCPSS has done nothing to find and prosecute illegal aliens who send their kids to our schools. In fact, these are labeled as "migratory workers" and immediately signed up for the free meal program, bypassing the normal income checks. These kids can also get free breakfast and lunch when they are on vacation, since cafeterias in YR schools are open. Your tax dollars at work. But WCPSS is going to crack down on legal residents who try to circumvent WCPSS' convoluted assignment rules and send their children to the school of their choice? That's hypocrisy to the 10th degree.
Why don't these same parents take control over their childrens' futures and do the right thing - reject the government schools altogether? There are plenty of options in our area.
Huh?
Wed, 06/24/2009 - 08:18 — Bob_SconceKent, I normally fully agree with you. But, I don't really wants WCPSS to be in the business of finding and prosecuting illegal immigrants. WCPSS isn't a law enforcement agency.
Doesn't the money for the F&R lunches come from the feds? It's still tax dollars, but that's not really the first place I want WCPSS looking for savings.
I haven't heard about illegal immigrants automatically being signed up for benefits -- do you have a reference? Not doubting you; just want to learn more.
These are children
Wed, 06/24/2009 - 01:51 — stopAs a proud Southerner, tax payer, and American it is my right and my responsibility to tell you: you are out of line.
These are children you are talking about. They are not "illegals" and they are certainly not "aliens." I will not stand by and let you spout off at the mouth(or wherever it is coming out of) on how feeding children is a crime and a waste of our tax dollars. You are out of line, and you certainly do not speak for us all.
Fake Addresses/Transfer Requests
Fri, 06/19/2009 - 08:38 — swimchikI agree with the use of fake addresses to obtain the "right high school." I too know of parents who outright LIED to Board members at their transfer hearings to assure their children won't be reassigned to the new Heritage High School as rising 10th graders by transfering out of Wakefield High to Millbrook High School for their rising ninth graders. Unfortunately, money talks and, as mentioned some have the financial means of obtaining apartments to obtain their necessary false addresses. Has it come to neighbor against neighbor?
Neighbor vs. neighbor - ABSOLUTELY
Sat, 06/20/2009 - 23:10 — SDR256Has it come to neighbor against neighbor? You must not have attended any reassignment 'hearings' with the BoE. Every year you will hear parents there making well researched cases for their own children to the effect of 'take this neighborhood - LOOK the date is so much more compelling - take them, not US!"
dispicable.
This is how low WCPSS has brought us all - 'the crab pot' as I heard one concerned citizen call it lately.
and the scary part
Sun, 06/21/2009 - 13:30 — loriacThe scary part is that there has to be any 'data' at all to determine what school your children should go to. My very white caucasian friend has always filled out her children's forms as mixed race (mixed European maybe :-)).. the BOE relies on unverified reduced price lunch applications to determine if a child is economically disadvantaged. What has this accomplished? Wake students 'sneaking' into the Johnston County high school (see above post), neighborhoods ratting other neighborhoods, parents fleeing the system to homeschool their kids (while putting their own careers on hold) .... so much energy that could be focused on educating our students and helping our schools, is instead wasted.
Rosa Gill's legacy - someone should write a book.
Wake students 'sneaking'
Sun, 06/21/2009 - 14:06 — gwaihirWake students 'sneaking' into the Johnston County high school (see above post),
=======
Don't forget the "Lost Colony" trying so hard to stay in the Granville schools.
Doesn't really surprise me, this is just another way out of the WCPSS for some. I think that once one realises just how poor the education on offer is, in the WCPSS, then the important thing becomes stability. Why would a parent subject their child to instability when the education on offer isn't worth it?
Panther Creek vs. Apex High
Fri, 06/19/2009 - 08:02 — cybercris2I know of 2 families that are planning to use fake addresses to attend Apex High rather than Panther Creek. There are also multiple wealthy families that rent apartments in the Davis Drive area in order to attend. Should neighbor turn in neighbor?
Loophole
Fri, 06/19/2009 - 07:41 — GSoto423Crackdown will not be a problem for those US citizens currently cheating the system. Simply renounce your citizenship and/or move to Cancun during the summer, return illegally, and attend whatever public school system you desire--- free of charge. Since you already speak English, the transition should be phenomenally easy, provided you do not drink the water while south of the Border.
So simple.
Such a strong word...
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 16:34 — rpmoore33Illegal is such a strong word. Why not "undocumented" residents? As far as the real illegal students, does the school at least charge those students that are in the U.S. illegally to attend our schools? After all, they probably are not paying income taxes to support our schools. I guess they could garnish wages if their parents were on the books. Why do our governmental agencies continue to punish legal, tax-paying citizens and always letting illegal aliens off the hook?
I agree totally
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 20:39 — fredflintstoneThe children of documented residents are not "illegal" they are mearly "undocumented". Why does the Rude and Disturber use the word "illegal" when it involves legal residents and citizens but they use "undocumented" when it comes to illegal aliens. Fact is I went to the courthouse the other day and was surprised bu the number of people charged with "undocumented activities" Strange that legal residents have to go to court for their "undocumented activities" yet illegal aliens face no penalty for their undocumented activities.
WASTED
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 14:27 — NOFANOFWAKEMADNESSthis is what wake county has at the top of their "TO DO" list. are you kidding? If they remove 100 kids then i guess we can turn off the lights in 4 more classrooms. the parents in wake county have quite a different "list" they can start working on.
Laurel Park
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 13:39 — MudcrutchI have heard about the track situation at Laurel Park from one of my neighbors. It is absolutely UNACCEPTABLE to combine 2nd/3rd grade classes. Third grade just has too much curriculum to cover and too much testing (EOGS, Cog At's, Iowa's) to combine with another grade. The principal needs to come up with another solution to this problem. Many people who fought against MYR predicted that bubbles in grades would create this type of problem. If only they had listened... and who pays the price for these misguided decisions? Teacher and students of course!
Definitely NOT "world class"
I would expect outrage at
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 20:58 — Big_PictureI would expect outrage at this *solution*. Are other schools forced into this arrangement as well?
we're having combined
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 17:04 — AngelaWwe're having combined 3rd/4th....difference being promised, smaller class size and parent approval needed....(but oh yes, MYR calendar).....
Aren't you at Leesville
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 21:06 — Big_PictureAren't you at Leesville Elementary Angela? How do the families feel?
Completely unacceptable everywhere
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 17:01 — Bob_SconceEven a 1st/2nd grade combined class is unacceptable. What are the older students going to do while the younger students are being taught (or vice-versa). No matter how you slice it, at least one group will be shafted.
This is a direct result of the year-round schools. In a traditional calendar school, the rest of the classes would each be made slightly larger. But, year-round tracking makes that sort of rearrangement impossible.
Yet another case where the district's acceptance of an ivory-tower theory yield unexpected side effects. Time for them to stop experimenting with our kids.
No one will be shafted
Mon, 06/22/2009 - 09:22 — shank56Sconce,
Combo classes have been used for years when needed - yes, even in traditional schools. Because of testing differencces, I can see that a 2/3 combo may not be the most desirable- but the numbers of those grades must make that option necessary.
"What are the older students going to do while the younger students are being taught (or vice-versa). No matter how you slice it, at least one group will be shafted. "
Most likely , the principal will pick one of the best teachers who is adept at differentiating instruction and who has energy and a postive attitude. The younger kids chosen will be those who are well -behaved, who are self-motivated and able to follow directions easily. The kids chosen may not be all AG , but they will be able to "hang " with the others.
One of mine was in an elementary combo as a younger student - it was a great academic experience - and okay socially as well.
...
Mon, 06/22/2009 - 11:13 — SideburnsWell, that just sounds wrong. One class filled with hand-picked self-motivated possible AG students with "one of the best teachers"? Is that what your child ended up with when you were cherry-picking their teacher? What school are you at again?
Little touchy aren't we??
Mon, 06/22/2009 - 11:52 — shank56NEVER, EVER, EVER cherry picked a teacher. In my schools , that was the best way to get the worst teacher- asking outright for a particular teacher.
What I alluded to in an earlier post, is that many, many parents I know will state in writing or conference the style of teacher their child needs, or identify a specific strenghth that needs to be met (writing, math, computer, etc.). Sometimes, this will help to avoid the WORST teacher in the grade level or in the school. Once, your child has a year with one of these BAD teachers(my kids have several times), you will do anything to make sure it doesn't happen again.
FYI, in middle and high, school counselors worked with me on 2 occasions. Child one had a pathetic math teacher in 7th - counselor immediately recognized and agreed with me and assured child would have a strong math teacher in 8th (didn't pick by name but child assigned to the team with the math teacher who was considered by reputation to be the "the best." Within the team , the science teacher was really weak).
Child 2 had pathetic HS English teacher. Counselor even laughed when I told her over the summer who we had -and guaranteed a strong Eng II teacher- which we got.
Call it what you will, but I have and will continue to be my children's advocate to make sure they get what they need.
...
Mon, 06/22/2009 - 13:27 — SideburnsNice back-pedal. You were speaking of yourself and your children in your prior posts -- not the "many, many parents" you know. Here's your prior post:
It seems the only difference between you and the many other parents on this blog is that you choose to look out for you and you alone. The many others on here choose to make the system better for everyone.
Nice assumption
Mon, 06/22/2009 - 14:10 — shank56"that you choose to look out for you and you alone."
Believe me, I 've paid my school dues and spent a whole lot of time for others for a whole lot of years. Don't worry..I sleep very well at night at peace with my volunteer efforts for schools and other kids.
But when given the chance to profile or lobby for the type of teacher my kids needed,
Interesting that you seem so PO'ed that a parent should actually take the time to help their own. Heck yeh, I will take every opportunity and chance given to help my child.
So.. if the teacher gives you a chance to conference, do you ignore it? If a principal sends a form asking you to fill out a profile of your childs needs, do you ignore it? If a principal or counselor tells you what hours or days they are available to meet, do you ignore the opportunity even if your child has experienced teacher issues?
...
Mon, 06/22/2009 - 14:30 — SideburnsLet's not make this about me -- this was about you and what you do for your children.
PO'ed? Far from it. I don't get riled up about blog posts. I save my passion (or misread anger) for a real purpose.
So..
Mon, 06/22/2009 - 09:56 — Bob_SconceWhile I recognize that it can work (heck, in the 40's, my grandmother taught school with something like 7 grades together), I think the question is really whether it's ideal. The fact that some schools are seeking parental consent also helps, since the parents might have some input as to which situation is ideal for their kids.
Recognize that this is happening in multi-track schools, so the principal cannot easily just choose the best teacher, since the best teacher may be on a different track.
Bob it is not ideal but
Mon, 06/22/2009 - 11:55 — shank56Bob it is not ideal but principals are forced to this with unbalanced numbers - to avoid having at least one grade level with reall overcrowded classrooms. (At least that is what I've seen).
Agreed, but...
Tue, 06/23/2009 - 13:21 — Bob_SconceYear-round schools make it worse. What happens, for example, if in 2nd grade, you have 30 students on track 2 and 44 students on each of tracks 1, 3 & 4? The school's options are, basically:
None of these are good options. (Option 2 is good for students, but smaller than schools usually want.)
In a traditional calendar school, you would just have 8 classes, each with 20 or 21 students.
I learn more from time to
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 13:32 — henryeI learn more from time to time about the Supreme Court
after looking at many of their rulings regarding schools,
and other rulings they have made, It seems as if they have become a branch of the A.C.L.U.
Following Geitner's example
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 13:08 — TheLoneRangerFor the couple that were billed for the nine years the statue of limitations most likely expired after 7 years at the most and using our current sitting Sec of Treasury - pay only the years you have to legally. Ethically it doesn't matter about the other years not covered by the statue of limitations.
Really?
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 12:21 — bendalWCPSS is now considered "world class"? Since when? Perhaps there are 'some' schools that are above average, but there are a lot that are average or below average.
As for those who "don't care" what the Supreme Court says, sorry, officials can't pick and choose what they can "care" about and what they can ignore. If they're here, they must be educated, period.
I'm looking forward to news coverage of the mass searches by Wake police and videos of the vans used to haul off these people on suspicion of being illegally here. That will REALLY give this area an aura of being "world class" won't it?
"World Class"
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 12:18 — WuptdoYep, they are "world class" alright, especially compared to Haiti, Somali, or the Chicago/Detroit School systems. How much is WCPSS paying the PR Flak, Mike Evans? Now there is a story -- justifying the "Department of Communications."
Note of interest: The Supreme Court ruled, that is correct. Too bad Congress won't would write a law to overturn this ruling. Amazing what type of "crap" was added on top of the 14th Amendment over the years. Plyler v. Doe is just another nail in the coffin what was once America.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0457_0202_ZO.html
Question: How many kids are we talking about here? 100, 200 or more? Also, how many parents choose not to let their kids be educated by the WCPSS and pay for private school or home school? Another good way to evaluate a "world class" school system.
They need to do this!
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 10:58 — clarkebdWe are from Laurel Park, and because of budget cuts have lost a teacher we expected to have. So we have too many students now in some of the grades and a letter was sent home to select families asking them to make a decision to move to a different track -or- face multi-age classes (i.e. 2nd/3rd grade combined classes for example).
WCPSS is NOT world class...they may be above average, but when you consider what average is in America today that is not saying a lot.
Above average for NC is not
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 21:24 — Big_PictureAbove average for NC is not cause for celebration. NC can not even compete in the US. Until the BoE starts caring more about educating kids than their selfish pursuit of meaningless awards, world class is an impossible dream.
Yes, that's all wake county
Fri, 06/19/2009 - 02:19 — dryeraseuserYes, that's all wake county is interested in. Fly off to receive an undeserving award, post new reports on the wonderful job they are doing or having another person write a book about the schools and what a great job they are doing. ALL while they are dragging the teachers, students and parents behind the cart, helpless!!!
I'm scoffing!
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 10:19 — g88ky07How many people would this account for 100? 200? Big deal! Want to get us excited, tell us you're going to crack down and yank the illegals out of OUR system!
I'm not wasting my time getting caught up in a debate over illegal immigration, I could care less what the U.S. Supreme Court says, the fact is THIS issue is wasting millions of our $$$! No debate to that!
Not Scoffing...
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 09:45 — Bob_SconceI dispute that Wake is a "world-class" district, as its supporters love to say. However, it's not a horrible district either and is better than most of the counties surrounding it. [Some saying about the one-eyed man being king....]
I suspect that the bigger problem Wake has is with students who actually live at one address in Wake County, but are registered with the district as living at another in order to allow them to go to a school they like. However, no tuition loss there.