A donation of at least $50 could get you a week at Wake County school board candidate Jennifer Mansfield's beach house in Emerald Isle.
For every $50 a person donates through Aug. 30, you will receive an entry in a raffle to win a week of your choice at Mansfield's "fabulous Rancho Relaxo." Mansfield said she started the raffle as a way to encourage donors to increase their contributions.
The raffle is legal under campaign finance law, something that Mansfield said she confirmed first with the State Board of Elections.
Kim Strach, deputy director of the State Board of Election's campaign finance division, said holding a raffle to raise campaign contributions is generally legal.
Strach said the donation of the beach house has to be from a person and not from a business and fall within campaign contribution limits. She said the value of the week's rental would need to be reported on campaign finance reports as an in-kind campaign contribution.
In this case, Mansfield is donating her own beach house. Plus, there's no limit to what she or her husband can donate to the campaign.
The 2009 listed weekly rental rate for the beach house is $700, plus a $75 cleaning fee.
Mansfield, who is touting that she is an independent, said not having the support of a political party is making it harder to raise cash. She reported having raised $141 as of her last report. That's far behind District 3 Democratic incumbent Kevin Hill's $9,935 and Republican challenger Heather Losurdo's $12,749.
Comments
Wow great odds of winning~!
Tue, 08/09/2011 - 16:45 — MrRaleighAs of June 30th Jennifer had ONE actual Cash donor. That makes pretty good odds of winning a week at a beach house. So I guess Jennifer is in favor of Gambling in our Schools since she is using a lottery gimmick to find donors. This doesn't look good for someone who is looking to be elected as a sculpture of our childrens moral paths. Whats next dice games at lunch with the school system taking a rake.
Think I'll save my $ for when Ronnie M...
Wed, 08/10/2011 - 16:56 — paulastam....raffles a sleepover at his Apex mansion...
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
Question?
Sat, 08/06/2011 - 09:55 — Jeff_morseWho is Shane Michael O'Donnell ? And does he know that HE is making a Fair Market Value of the Weekly Rent of said unit as an Inkind donation?
her husband...and one would
Sat, 08/06/2011 - 10:12 — AngelaWher husband...and one would hope so.
"Wealth"
Sat, 08/06/2011 - 08:18 — shank56While I respect Jenman, she has been obsessed in the past with ITB "wealth" and the cost of homes in certain neighborhoods ITB. That she is touting her vacation home on the coast is somewhat amusing.
Note to Jenman: perhaps you can afford to live ITB too if you unload your vacation home. ; )
ITB "Wealth" Deserves Better Schools
Sat, 08/06/2011 - 12:56 — NoRalNerdSo you not only admit that there's a higher-standard of schools ITB, but you'd encourage others to buy their way into that better education.
Not only is that sad, it's exemplary of the problem that Jenman has spoken out about in the past.
And I never heard Jenman touting "her" home. I read that she was raffling a week at "a" home.
I've said nothing about
Sat, 08/06/2011 - 18:11 — shank56I've said nothing about schools ITB. I don't believe there is a higher standard of schools ITB. Look at the Schools of Excellence and other NCLB scores.
I just find it very highly amusing that Jenman has taken potshots at ITB and defined "wealth" as she sees it. Yet now we learn she has enough "wealth" to own a vacation home on the NC coast - whether for personal use or for rental /investment use. Just my opinion- nothing more, nothing less.
FWIW, if I lived in her district, I would vote for her.
the problem b/t ITB and the suburbs
Sun, 08/07/2011 - 07:39 — snordoneThere has been a long-standing policy that non-magnet schools could not call themselves a STEM school or a school of the arts, nor could they have magnet-type classes. The former director of the magnet program, Caroline Massengill, told me that it was because there would be no incentive for parents to leave the base and go to magnets if base schools had electives, languages, etc. The technical purpose of magnets is desegregation and we needed an incentive for desegregation. I think that Jenn and the rest of us feel that the gap in resources and school quality became excessive. For example, 4 foreign languages at one school and none at the other. This was exacerbated by the fact that the politically well-connected were always able to get into a (non-Title I) magnet, whereas for the rest of the county it was a weighted lottery. If you lived in a node that served a high poverty school (for example: Jeffrey's grove, Baileywick, Stough, York) you stood no chance of getting into an elite, F&R capped magnet.
My kids go to Baileywick, and no one helped us until Tony Tata gave us some small schools money. We were left with declining enrollment, high ESL for which we did not have the resources, and limited enrichment opportunities. Since the small school designation our enrollment is on the increase - which means we will have more resources - $ and human capital. If we have leadership that understand the problem completely (like Jenn does) then we can fix our problem. Jenn said she is left-leaning, and if so, she is the only quasi-democrat in the county that clearly sees our problems and the necessary solutions.
Shila, Ms. Mansfield did a
Mon, 08/08/2011 - 22:55 — RKCurtrightShila,
Ms. Mansfield did a good thing in identifying the magnet school application process and she has remained involved, therefore encouraged improvements. The fact that you, she and Backhouse are democrats, and I am Republican does not define us, don't you think? It should not be what divides us either. Mr. Hill is someone who has acted based on logic. I'd like to hear specifically the issues Mr. Hill has been off on.
Ms. Mansfield seems to have decided to stand on her own without the ties that bind Mr. Margiottas' team. This is a good thing,though the concern is if Ms. Manfield sees clearly what has happened and what is coming. For example, Mr. Tedesco seems to have good intentions and has a true heart for this job. Though politics does seem to come first and this is worrisome when it comes time to ask for funds to resource theme schools and build up high poverty schools with all that they need.
This last election certainly defined some changes. Some were done to fulfill promises. Changes were done in such a way that left us all broken. Now we are left with the promise of a new assignment plan when all we might have needed were some tweaks to improve what we had. Or maybe this new assignment plan will be everything we need, which is what was sold to us in this last election. Now we have bought into it. Let’s hope we are willing to pay for it.
In terms of magnets, theme schools, wcpss should look at what the right balance may be so magnets remain desirable and there are resources for all schools as well as theme opportunities at schools such as Baileywick.
A child at a magnet school can get foreign language from kindergarten through High School and still not be able to communicate effectively in that learned language.
O O OOn paper it may appear magnet schools offer much more than what the student is getting. You get out of anything what you give, though foreign language class gives little opportunity for children to converse in real world situations and this is exactly what they need to get, retain, and learn effectively a language.
We could tackle so much of what makes academics more valuable and effective for students if we worked hard to encourage open discussion without worry that someone wants to tear us down in order to build up their own ideal.
I would be more interested more in hearing what the candidates stand for specifically: what direction do they see improvements in academics for all children? We all really want what is best for our public school system and that involves improvements in academics, a new, more family-friendly assignment plan, efficient use of money, resources for teachers and students...
It is obvious real debate is derailed with people focused on building their own candidate by simply pinning a label onto their opponent. Some are good at this game. GOP backed candidates may win, though the tactics of insults, labeling to bait into a senseless debate is what shuts down conversation.
We all have realized the neighborhood bully is really just a sad, misunderstood guy who feels most comfortable looking out the window than looking in the mirror. Bias blinds to others’ views. This creates walls when what we need are bridges.
Succeeding in what we all want is about real conversations and working together toward changes we needed and done it in such a way that keeps all sides engaged.
An argument telling what the other candidate IS NOT with labels and half-truths is hurting us all in the short and long term. If someone supports a candidate it needs to be discussion about what their favored candidate IS, not focused on what the other is not.
If we have learned anything in this is that a fire storm is hard to control. We have to pay the consequences of half-truths, distrust, defensiveness, and loyalties for years. Party loyalty boxes people into a promise that may not be their own and may not be what is best.
What I have learned in all this is we need each other’s perspectives. If we start pinning one candidate against another to win then we all lose.
Ok...
Tue, 08/09/2011 - 08:48 — Bob_SconceI'd like to hear specifically the issues Mr. Hill has been off on.
I don't have a ton of time, so here are four. Perhaps I'll post more later.
I'll note that #1 is going to lose him a ton of votes in Wakefield. Heck, even I voted for him 4 years ago.
Thnx, Bob. Will b brief;}
Wed, 08/10/2011 - 17:25 — RKCurtrightCorrection, no new HS or MS in last 20 years, not 25.
Reagrding Hill.Were all of Mr. Hills’votes the best, based on hindsight? I’m sure some were and some were not. If they are based on a genuine concern for our teachers and children and based on staff, and perspectives in education and citizens, then it is valuable. do you trust he will vote based on what is best for wcpss and listen to families as well?
You bring up some good points regarding Mr. Hill.
Past action by Board members took recommendations from staff about crowding, etc. If we all have the luxury to be the Monday morning quarterback on all decisions made during the growth and projected growth to come, we will always find flaws.
#1. Staff has stated Wakefield is will need the extra seats that year round provides. True? Wakefield Elem. parent survey in response to the question, “How satisfied are you with your experience so far with the calendar, 59.19% were satisfied or very satisfied. As far as the school being “significantly under-enrolled”, depends on if you count trailers. Also,now that Wakefield Middle has been converted to traditional I'm sure yr is less popular.
2010-11 WCPSS demographics, the 20th day enrollment was 762. The school building capacity is 733. The Annual School Campus Capacity is listed at 76.9%, but that is including the 11 trailers. To put that in perspective, the Wakefield High (with 66 trailers) is listed at an Annual School Campus Capacity of 82.9%. The fact that we factor trailers into capacity is a little messed up, though trailers are the reality and our future.
#2. This sounds interesting and possibly was a bad decision. I am not familiar with this enough. Have not heard both sides.
#3. H6 was land bought during a time when wcpss fely urgency in acquiring land to handle the influx of students. The climate when the Margiotta team cam in was crazy. No one knew what was going on and people were concerned and questioned the motives of the new board. Did we see the economy slowing? No. Are all our school site in the best place? No. We should probably reevaluate every land site and line it up with proximity/need in terms of a new assignment plan.
#4. As far as I know from the few conversations I have had, Mr. Hill knows we must move forward and supports this new change in assignment plan. He understands that we are changing and is receptive of that. The public wants a more family friendly assignment plan , and we all should support academics being part of assignment and try to avoid high poverty schools. Even the best teachers and principals will tell you a school with 80-90% ED population is extremely difficult for teachers to teach, extremely expensive to fund, and the needed resources are so high that you will be Robin Hood and robbing from the affluant schools to fund the poor ones. All wcpss schools must be desirable and we all must be willing to give each school what it needs to be desirable.
Were all of Mr. Hills ‘votes the best, based on hindsight? I’m sure some were and some were not. If they are based on a genuine concern for our teachers and children and based on staff, and perspectives in education and citizens, then it is valuable.
Was he blind to some issues. We all were. We have evolved and grown to understand one another. Now, who in district 3 will be the best person to fit into this role?
A couple of points
Wed, 08/10/2011 - 20:42 — Voice_of_Reason_Wakefield Middle was never YR, it was once slated to go but blocked.
Wakefield Elementary having gone YR has had a poor record of achievement. The trailers are there and take up a signignificant amount of the playground. The school is underenrolled. Being from the communitity. it has seriously disrupted the neighborhood children playing together. A lot of people left to private school. Also it should be noted that Wakefield ES, MS, & HS are right next to each other, the school zone situation is confusing with only one in YR status. And two new Elementary schools [Forest Pines & Forest Pines North] are a little over a mile away and are located within the PUD. Most people with multiple children here do not like having a YR elementary school that is not even necessary.
Thank you VofR
Wed, 08/10/2011 - 21:42 — RKCurtrightThanks, VofReason, for the insight on Wakefield and correction re. Wakefield middle school. Months ago when wcpss staff and Mr. Tata were looking at 14 under enrolled year round schools. I was pleased Tata took the time to ask Principals and teachers their preference. Re. WES, I was told the seats were needed ( there would be a shortage of ES seats in that northern part of WC beginning in 2012 year). I think this is why Mr. Hill supported it remaining yr. There are ways a school can operate for the same cost as traditional (running on two or 3 tracks, one track ). There are ways to get creative,save on resources, consolidate, etc.
I can understand how frustrating the different calendars are for families. If many have left for private school then this is unfortunate. This situation sounds very similar to the Leesville situation. How to balance family wants/needs with what staff projected needs are is a tough decision.
Should Mr. Hill have ignored staff recomendation and gone with what family wants? If he had he would be more liked right now.
Year round schools are needed in Wake County. The question is which ones should be yr and which traditional. Legislation should provide more flexibility with calendar (modified calendar options and Trad. schools to start by mid August). This is another subject;}
A new assignment plan must provide calendar choice and continuity in calendar within reason. The calendar survey expressed anything over 10 miles was unreasonable. It is important that any conversion in calendar, school site, is done with forethought into how it partners with a new assignment plan. Alos there must be a plan, a solution to the consequenses any vonversion or change causes.
So...
Thu, 08/11/2011 - 10:03 — Bob_SconceFirst of all, it's impossible to justify 5 years of underenrollment based on the idea that we might eventually need more space. The school is stil basically running only 3 tracks. If they needed space sometime in the future, then they should have waited until sometime in the future to convert the schools. (Or used another option, such as the WHS 9th Grade Center that the district is vacating this year.)
Secondly, it is NOT possible to run for the same cost by only running 2 or 3 tracks. Why not? Once you get more than a single track, the school has to be open for 240 days. That means an extra 60 days of paying secretaries, cafeteria workers and custodians. It means an extra 60 days for the Gym, Art and Music teachers. It means an extra 60 days of heat (or A/C).
Should Mr. Hill have ignored staff recomendation and gone with what family wants? If he had he would be more liked right now.
The purpose of a governing board is NOT to be a rubber-stamp for whatever the administration wants. They have a duty to inquire, to question, to be skeptical and to exercise independent judgment in directing the district. The old board was booted largely because they were unable to balance the crazy things Del Burns wanted with the reasonable expectations of the people who put the board members in place. This is why school board members are elected -- they represent the community's interests in how the schools are run; the staff does not.
It's not like Leesville
Thu, 08/11/2011 - 09:35 — Voice_of_Reason_The Wakefield Plantation is a large, more or less isolated development in Raleigh. Most of the residents are transplants trying to establish themselves in NC. Making friends among children in this case is even more important since most of them have extended families elsewhere. Efforts were also made to provide economic diversity in housing in this PUD. Having three Elementary schools in that development is unique too. Two of the schools are YR. IMHO it would of a great "choice" experiment for YR. The word on the street was that WES was converted just prior to those new schools opening for spite, not due to need. It also make no since to keep so many older trailers there taking up so much of the playground. Kevin Hill has upset many people here.
School planners need to consider more than just seats in this situation, they need to think of long term health of the community. One of the things that originally impressed me in this community was the use of public schools even by the higher income families, that is changing and will get worse.
It should be noted Wakefield ES went from a top rated Honor School of Excellence in 2005 to a School of Progress today (only two ES schools in WCPSS have a lower rating) under Kevin Hill's watch and the advent of YR.
Oh yeah, the original alternative "choice" traditional school for WES was one of those two lower rated schools for most of us.
AND- per your comment on seats were needed up here. It would have to factor the bussing from outside the area and an unrealistic growth projection to that. Most of growth up this way right now is in lower income apartment housing near the new ES schools. You can make the needed seat argument anywhere if you include busing from outside the area. That busing is from outside Kevin Hill's district for the most part.
community
Thu, 08/11/2011 - 11:56 — EBDarcy"long term health of the community" - I agree that this should be considered however some people disagree. Every time someone mentions the impact schools have on job/business recruitment and retention and the local economy the majority's supporters says that the economy shouldn't be a factor in education decisions. They seem to think that maintaining a healthy public school system and the good things that come with that should be of little concern when making decisions about the future of the system. They are quick to pounce on anyone who points out that WCPSS has been an economic driver and the uproar the last year and a half is not helping.
It's more than economic
Thu, 08/11/2011 - 13:56 — Voice_of_Reason_In Elementary School it is much more than economic, it has to do with building community. It is for this reason I am for neighborhood schools for elementary students. Not only to students make friends, parents meet and often work together.
I find the economic issue you point out hypocritical since anybody that is thinking of moving to or locating a business here that asks for information on the community gets a whole bunch of propaganda about the excellence of Wake County schools. Unfortunately they don't point out that most of the excellence is in the magnet schools that only a few get to attend. And it is much, much harder to get into those schools if your child is past 1st grade and you live outside the beltway. The ITB people are the worse, especially since the magnet programs significantly prop up their property values.
"If many have left for
Thu, 08/11/2011 - 07:16 — woodstock"If many have left for private school then this is unfortunate."
What is "unfortunate" about a family choosing a private school?
"Year round schools are needed in Wake County".
No, they are not needed. YR schools are very expensive to run unless they reach capacity... which they never do because that would entail forcing students onto very unattractive tracks that almost everyone opts out of by one means or another.
Woody - Really?
Thu, 08/11/2011 - 08:45 — Voice_of_Reason_What is "unfortunate" about a family choosing a private school?
Try less financial and political support to the public school system.
...
Thu, 08/11/2011 - 10:56 — SideburnsWhat is unfortunate is that families chose to leave WCPSS just to maintain one calendar for their children. And to stop being yanked around and ignored by the system. I wonder how many leave to have stability and the sense of a community school -- rather than for academic reasons. Over the past years, my guess is many have.
Why should the public school
Thu, 08/11/2011 - 10:41 — woodstockWhy should the public school system be the only game in town? Why shouldn't a school "system" include all the educational resources available?
Also, how do you figure there is less financial and political support? When a student enrolls in a private school, his/her share of public fundiung does not go with them. So, essentially, there is more money for the school on a per student basis. As for politically, most rational citizens desire, and see the benefits of, an educated populace, so support for public school does not change when one chooses private school.
So...
Thu, 08/11/2011 - 11:10 — Bob_Sconcesupport for public school does not change when one chooses private school.
That's a nice theory, but it unfortunately does not play out in practice. Consider, for example, the support that the public schools in Richmond, VA, get. Nearly all of the middle class families send their kids to private school and, thus, are generally uninterested with what happens in the public schools, except when it comes to raising their taxes. And, at that point, they're opposed.
Middle-class parents of public school children form the basis of political support for the public schools. Poor parents are generally not politically active and, even if they were, generally lack the clout to advocate for good public schools.
As to financial support, at the surface you're correct about the money -- families who pay their own kids' tuition are, in effect, subsidizing the public schools. However, once you get enough families who have left, they will push for drops in school funding (or, more likely, push against increases in school funding). The net effect is that public school financing is less than what it would have been if the families had stayed in.
Those bad effects are why we need a public school system that is good enough to successfully compete against the alternatives.
Well, you pooh-pooh'd all
Thu, 08/11/2011 - 10:59 — CaryCurmudgeonWell, you pooh-pooh'd all the criticism about the decrease in per-pupil funding, insisting that the flat gross-level funding was adequate given the circumstanes. But if we have an exodus of students from the public school system, you're not going to look for funding to be decreased? I doubt that.
No surprise there,
Thu, 08/11/2011 - 08:51 — CaryCurmudgeonNo surprise there, woodhead's in the camp with Paul Stam and company who would prefer we abolish the public school system.
Personally, I think it is a huge shame that so many of fled WCPSS -- 18% of students last time I looked. The board's goals should include winning back some of these students.
Are you against school
Thu, 08/11/2011 - 11:36 — woodstockAre you against school choice now too? Or is it that you are just for limited choice that includes only public schools?
I'm all for choice. I even
Thu, 08/11/2011 - 11:39 — CaryCurmudgeonI'm all for choice. I even tried private school one year with one of my kids, but it didn't work out. But I think a strong public education system (including charters) is crucial to our country's competitiveness, and I don't know what the number is but there has got to be a tipping point where if enrollment in public schools drops to a certain point, the taxpayers just won't support them anymore.
That's a pipe dream and misguided
Thu, 08/11/2011 - 09:26 — Voice_of_Reason_I am all for vouchers to help relieve overcrowding and add a bit of competition, but you still need a strong public school system. I hope the removal of the Charter school cap will help too. All of those programs still require public money and support of education; punching out and going private does not.
regarding #1
Tue, 08/09/2011 - 11:37 — EBDarcyWhy is it Hill gets blasted for opposing the conversion, but Prickett is praised by some people here for converting LRES when it was not what the majority of parents and staff wanted and when it was far from undercapacity? And in Prickett's case the survey results were overwhelmingly against what she did. And didn't Ron ignore the survey results from one of the schools in his district?
Did Someone Pee in Your Cereal?
Tue, 08/09/2011 - 15:22 — KevPerdueI've talked to some Leesville parents and they are fine with the conversion (they said they were happy with their school in the survey) as long as they were able to stay at Leesville. The ones that didn't want traditional probably went down the street to that other year round. Boo Hoo they had to travel 3 miles instead of 1. You shouldn't have any problem getting Pricket voted out since you seem to know what ALL people think and say!
Since you are all for the old ways of doing things...let's move you 10 miles away like my kids were all the in name of diversty. Get real!
I'm on the fence re KevPerdue....
Wed, 08/10/2011 - 16:59 — paulastam...still trying to determine if "Kev" is Jeffery1 or Woodstock...fairly sure it's one of thre two given the propensity for juvenile moments! :)
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
I'm On The Fence RE PAULASTAM.
Thu, 08/11/2011 - 08:45 — KevPerdue....still trying to determine if PaulaStam is Del Burns by chance.....fairly certain since Paula hates Tony Tata and all the positive he has done in the short time he's been here. Talk about juvenile moments....I think PaulaStam's posts speak for themselves!
huh?
Tue, 08/09/2011 - 20:19 — EBDarcyYou can't seem to see around that chip on your shoulder. It's some how okay to blast Hill when Prickett's record on this same subject is far worse but she gets a free ride? fair? Read the survey, the majority of LRES did not want the calender changed despite what a few people told you. The question you should be asking was why couldn't the people who wanted traditional move right around the corner, a mile away, to Hilburn? How is forcing other people's children - because it's never their kids that get moved, okay just because you don't like a calender? How many of their children have been reassigned? Did you ask that question?
Huh?
Tue, 08/09/2011 - 21:36 — Bob_SconceRhonda specifically asked "I'd like to hear specifically the issues Mr. Hill has been off on."
I gave her a list of a few issues where Hill's been off when it comes to his district. I don't know why that's "blasting" him -- I just answered a question. And, I wasn't purporting to do a full analysis of each board member's position on those same issues. Why not? Because they weren't relevant to the question.
Chip On My Shoulder....
Tue, 08/09/2011 - 21:28 — KevPerdueChip on my shoulder maybe, but pot meet kettle! You have to blame all of that Leesville mess on the previous board...of course you won't will you...talk about giving someone a pass! I didn't say I was a big fan of Prickett, but at least it looks like her schools are becoming utitlized in a little better fashion. You don't seem to care that people at Leesville either wanted the school or the calendar. It sounds like all those parents that wanted one of those choices had their choices met. They may not have gotten both, but Boo Hoo. Why don't you travel to other parts of the county and see what some kids have had to endure! It's criminal. If that is all the Leesville community had to endure....please!
P.S. My friends that were pleased with Leesville before the conversion are still just as satisfied without year round. I bet if they did the survey again, you would see the results that were very similar except for the few disgruntled like you obviously are!
Wouldn't the survey have
Tue, 08/09/2011 - 21:24 — jeffrey1Wouldn't the survey have some survivorship bias in it. Presumably, those that wanted traditional had already left, and those that wanted YR replaced them. I think a more accurate measure might have been what parents wanted before the school was converted. But I have no idea what those parents favored.
funny, there WAS a survey
Tue, 08/09/2011 - 22:47 — AngelaWfunny, there WAS a survey done before the forced conversion that got "lost", then the (previously unknown-but then "discovered") Growth Committee (head-ed by (pun intended) the then BAC Rep--RCK), continually pushed for another one, but was "surprisingly" blocked repeatedly ---and thusly the Growth Committee dissolved by that same BAC (under Head's direction)
imagine that?
long twisted history.
(dirty) water under the bridge.
Thank you Angela
Wed, 08/10/2011 - 15:26 — RKCurtrightThank you, Angela, for bringing up the issues with the Leesville campus. The Leesville schools were overcrowd and are now. The decision to switch LRS back to traditional was driven by parents like you who needed to have calendar continuity, or wanted the summer break. I understand the need. I was more driven by the needs of the teachers,students and the financial realities of the system. We both were right in many aspects.
The current reality is this area has not had a new HS or MS built in our district for the last 25 years. We have had 2 new ES built. I would say conservatively we added 15k homes in the last 13 years. LRMS was built for 876 students. It will increase to 114% with 1386 students with 16 temporary classrooms.
Things that can be done to alleviate crowding at schools include :
Parents can deal with these changes and overcrowded schools. They do not seem to mind all the mobiles and modular’s as long as they can stay at Leesville. What parents cannot deal with is the constant change and the ever increasing fear that we are putting our kids into a school where teachers are stressed and unable to do the best job they can.Teachers deserve to work in a school environment that allows them teach their students in a healthy, nurturing environment. We must listen to what our teachers say. They know what is best in the classroom. It is wcpss job to provide the classroom seat and give them the resources, funding they need.
As you know,schools get funding based on the number of students they have. More students equal more teachers,.More funds means more resources. When is too full just too full? No fire code? When do teachers get a true voice?
I’m sure you understand there were certainly two sides of this issue. The decision to switch back to traditional fractured parents trust and belief that they were doing what was for the greater good and those that rolled with it suffered more instability and change for their children. Year round schools did not come about as a life style choice for families, but they bought into the idea that it was a necessity to control growth and would decrease the need to build new schools.
Many of those who adapted to year round had Leesville as their base school. They were then reassigned to Hilburn the next year. They asked to have Leesville as their year round school instead of Green. The Growth Committee also asked to have Hilburn as the Traditional school option instead of Stough, and it was granted. So, calendar applicants had been assigned to Leesville all along prior to the conversion. Everyone has adjusted and moved on, though many are disheartened.
Next time I hope we can treat one another with more kindness and understanding. (Patti Head was pinned as the enemy and treated hatefully, as was I by you and others on this very blog)- Drity water under the bridge, as you say;}
The decision to convert the Leesville schools to year round was to increase facility capacity.
There was a survey done at Leesville back when there was something that needed to be done to gain capacity at schools and it expressed that parents preferred to remain at Leesville above all else.
Then the next calendar survey was done when Prickett came into office and it showed:
Leesville Elementary School Page 571:
96% were very satisfied - satisfied with the school regardless of calendar.
78% were very satisfied to satisfied with the year round calendar
63% prefer year round
31% preferred traditional
Staff: Assuming that you continue to work at your current school, would you prefer that the school keep the same calendar or change to another type?
Keep calendar: 78.96%
Most prefer traditional calendar : 44%
Most prefer year round:56%.
67% wanted to keep the year round calendar
31% wanted to change the calendar
Leesville Road Middle School Page 576:
85% very satisfied to satisfied with their school
54% satisfied with the yr calendar
45% dissatisfied with the yr calendar
60% would prefer traditional calendar
36 % would prefer year round
Staff:
Leesville Road Middle:
prefer traditional calendar: 30%
prefer year round calendar: 64%
In Feb of 2010, the Year-round calendar was credited for dramatic decrease in discipline issues at Leesville Road Middle School. Incidences of violent behavior and school suspensions dramatically decreased at Leesville Road Middle School since the school converted to a year-round schedule for the 2009-2010 school year.
According to the 2008-2009 WCPSS Healthy Schools Report, LRMS recorded 370 suspensions involving 188 students. In contrast, since the year-round conversion, there have been 90 suspensions involving 62 students reported between July 1, 2009 and Jan. 19, 2010.
School officials credit the year-round schedule for the improvement. They say the multi-track, year-round schedule has enabled them better to identify students who are at higher risk for discipline issues and proactively work one-on-one with them to avoid incidences that could lead to suspension.
LRMS staffs were using the year-round calendar as a tool to improve the school’s learning environment.
Suspension increases the likelihood that students will drop out of school.
Sycamore Creek ES is the year round elementary school in this area. Sycamore Creek is now the second largest elementary school in Wake County. Brier Creek Year Round Elementary School families of middle schoolers who want calendar continuity in year round go 13 miles away to East Cary Middle. Sycamore Creek families who want year round continuity go to Durant Road Middle which is 10 miles away.
The bottom line is the conversion of LRMS to traditional has created a real need for a yr middle school feeder option for these year round students. I’m sure you are very happy with the school all one calendar and one school. Please convince me that 1400 adolescent-to teen, hormone driven students who are challenged with identity, awkwardness, self esteem, peer pressure, in a crowded middle school is best for the students and the teachers. I am open to your perspective Angela and I appreciate the fact that you have placed a lot of your knowledge into some discussions. You have a lot to offer as long as we are able to listen and learn from one another.
Honest Question
Thu, 08/11/2011 - 07:20 — JanisTangoRKC...I'm not trying to attack you with this question, but I honestly would love to hear your answer....
Sycamore Creek ES is the year round elementary school in this area. Sycamore Creek is now the second largest elementary school in Wake County. Brier Creek Year Round Elementary School families of middle schoolers who want calendar continuity in year round go 13 miles away to East Cary Middle. Sycamore Creek families who want year round continuity go to Durant Road Middle which is 10 miles away.
I was privey to an email that was sent to my principal at Jeffreys Grove earlier in the year where you recommended some options to allieviate the crowding at LMS. You recommended that Wood Valley families from JGE be sent to Carroll Middle school. Do you realize CMS is 12-13 miles away from Wood Valley versus 2.5 for LRMS. There is a lot of history as to why WV is at JGE and Leesville. Do you honestly believe that the YR families traveling that far is a problem, but when it comes to the Wood Valley families that is just another sacrafice they are expected to make? I know there are a lot of issues that need to be solved and I wish I had the answers, but before making random recommendations, it might be helpful to understand exactly what you are recommending. I read this blog to learn. I do understand the issues are complex and not easily solved. I spout off sometimes because of frustration and for that I apologize to all, but I get really upset when I see the parents pitted against parents. This was the mode of opertion of the G&P in the past and this really needs to stop.
Ms. Lawrence, I appreciate you bringing this email up
Thu, 08/11/2011 - 16:39 — RKCurtrightMs. Lawrence,
I sent this email out as an idea to help alliviate Leesville Middle over crowding. I was looking at the distance from Jeffreys Grove to Carroll and did not investigate the distance in the actual homes currently assigned to JG. I was assuming we were moving to priority of assignments based on proximity and the feeder schools that Leesville captures have JG, which is closer to Carroll. Is Wood Valley the only neighborhood assigned to JG and Leesville Middle? Are all the rest assigned to Carroll already?
I predict most current Sycamore Creek Yr ES familes in this Leesville area will choose Leesville Middle school because it is close by instead of chosing a yr middle school 10 miles or further away. The calendar survey established 1`0 miles was too far. Currently Sycamore Creek and Brier Creek do not have a yr middle less than 10 miles away. This is important for a new proximity based assignment plan to look at solutions that help make a new Assignment Plan work for Wood Valley and every neigborhood in WC.
This is an excellent example of why any changes must consider the consequences it creates that ripple far beyond our own home or school.
Thank You For Your Reply...
Thu, 08/11/2011 - 17:55 — JanisTangoactually JGE fed 6 middle schools as of last year (Carroll, West Millbrook, Centential, Daniels, Leesville and Carnage) with the changes we are experiencing in enrollement this coming year this list will probably change. About 60% of our kids live within proxomity of JGE, the rest are bused in from North Raleigh (3 neighborhoods north of 540) and other areas of Raleigh.
I do agree that they need to start looking in the Leesville area in regards to building a year round middle school. I would like to see all the parents have the choice of a TR and YR within proximity to where they live.
I also agree about consequences and the ripple affect that can be created. I have seen JGE loose many committed and wonderful families over these past 6 years because of the turmoil and uncertantity that they previous assignment policy created. Many of these familes felt they had no choice but to move their kids elsewhere because they wanted stability and proximity in the future when their kids attend middle and high school. This has hurt our school and I'm thankful that we have so many dedicated families, teachers and staff that have stayed throughout the turmoil. We do have some of the best teachers and staff around.
Like I said...I wish I had the answers, but I don't. If there is one thing I have learned over these past few years is to never assume I know better than another parent on what is best for their kids or their family. Everyone's needs are different and need to be respected. I don't know how this choice plan will work in the end, but if it does guarantee stability then that is a huge step in the right direction IMO.
Uh...
Wed, 08/10/2011 - 15:51 — Bob_SconceThe current reality is this area has not had a new HS or MS built in our district for the last 25 years.
If I recall correctly, Leesville Road High School and Middle School both opened in 1991.
Also, a suggestion: more people would read your posts if they were a bit more concise. It's just difficult to follow a long post in this medium.
Rhonda,AFAIK, you left for
Wed, 08/10/2011 - 15:46 — AngelaWRhonda,
AFAIK, you left for a magnet middle and Sycamore Creek, so how you profess to know what Leesville teachers "want" or what their "voice" is any longer is beyond me.
I do not wish to engage in a back and forth and (continue) to air "dirty" laundry on the blogs. You probably still know how to reach me.
Someone else brought up LES first, I was simply providing history. (oh and I do apologize, when I listed your initials as the BAC rep back then I reversed them-meant to put RKC)
I agree a YR middle IS needed in this area and HAS been, the land has been banked for that for years and it was (as I was told) Chuck Dulaney that put the kibosh on building it a few years' back. Why? well.....I guess we'll never know.
LES, LMS and LHS are all decreasing in student size this year and would have last year as well, but as you noted # of children - $$ for the school, so perhaps last years' numbers were achieved simply for that. Time will tell.
What...
Wed, 08/10/2011 - 08:10 — KevPerdueWhat.....Head potentially ignored information from her community based on a survey that was done prior to the conversion.....NO...it can't be.....can it? It probably got lost because they didn't like what the parents had to say. The previous board was so parent friendly...I find that hard to believe!
"It probably got lost because they didn't like what the parents
Wed, 08/10/2011 - 08:26 — AngelaWhad to say"
BINGO.
So...
Tue, 08/09/2011 - 13:54 — Bob_SconceTake that up with the voters in their districts. Hill represents district 3, and #1 is a big reason why people will vote against him.
Yep
Tue, 08/09/2011 - 20:20 — EBDarcyAnd I'm sure the District 7 voters will be remember this when the next election rolls around. That's if Prickett runs again, which is unlikely.
...
Tue, 08/09/2011 - 00:12 — SideburnsIf we start pinning one candidate against another to win then we all lose.
Isn't that how someone is elected? How do we all lose when one wins?
"We all really want what is
Mon, 08/08/2011 - 23:48 — woodstock"We all really want what is best for our public school system and that involves improvements in academics, a new, more family-friendly assignment plan, efficient use of money, resources for teachers and students... "
Statements like that just demonstrate that you are either completely out-of-touch or you are profoundly naive. You cannot listen to the mouthpeices for the Democrats on education in Wake County -- Barber, Gatewood, Brannon, Goodmon, Petty, etc. and honestly say that they want "what is best for our public schools." You want to hold hands and sing Kumbaya and pretend there is not hard-core racial politics at play. Your "real debate" will never happen until you acknolwledge that.
I agree with your view.
Sat, 08/06/2011 - 10:32 — kbrooks500I agree with your view. While some magnets have affluent bases, most do not. In addition many of the homes are older and probably less desirable. Having magnet school bases would continue to encourage families to move into those areas.
Why
Sat, 08/06/2011 - 20:09 — NoRalNerdWhy is this the schools problem? Is WCPSS just a tool for Raleigh to do economic development?
I think the good people in Knightdale, Garner, Apex, etc., would disagree with your view.