For now at least, the days of county commissioners dictating how the school system will spend county dollars have come to an end.
As noted in today's article by Michael Biesecker, commissioners voted 4-3 on Monday to end the "purpose and function" budgeting requirements that were enacted on the school system last year. It was a straight party vote with the new Democratic majority backing the change and all three Republicans in opposition.
Under the old rules, the school board had to ask the commissioners for permission if school administrators shifted spending by more than 15 percent of its approved budget in any of several broad categories.
School board members had bitterly complained about the requirements, saying it added extra work on principals and administrators.
The school board had asked the commissioners to lift the "purpose and function" requirements when it agreed last month to give back $5.7 million to the county.
Yesterday's vote wasn't exactly a model of harmonious cooperation.
New Chairman Harold Webb was so eager to vote he declared the item approved immediately after he and the other Democrats said "aye," forgetting to ask whether anyone on the board was opposed, as is required.'
Later on, Webb ended the debate when he declared GOP Commissioner Tony Gurley out of order. Gurley had been attempting to run down a list of examples when, in his view, the school board had fallen short of being fiscally transporent.
First on his list was the system's busing policy, which Gurley said costs taxpayers millions because of the system's diversity policy.
After several of the board's Democrats objected, Webb ruled that Gurley's views on school spending were not germane to the debate and called for a vote.
Comments
Economic turndown makes school-building cheaper
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 17:25 — AngelaWhttp://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20090116/UPDATES01/90116035
what are the chances THIS will happen here?
http://wakecommunity.blogspot
Thu, 01/15/2009 - 11:33 — AngelaWhttp://wakecommunity.blogspot.com/2009/01/if-youre-bill-mcneal-and-youve-wrecked.html
Reject the government
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 22:03 — kmisegadesYou can all voice your opinions with your feet. Reject government schools - no one can force you to keep them there. Tighten your belts and find alternatives for your children. Try home schooling. Start your own schools. With children, you'll pay a little now, or a whole lot more later. I'm a father of 3 grown children, WCPSS graduates doing well thanks to parents who filled the many gaping holes in their mediocre education in Wake County. I wish I had not bought into the Wake propaganda when they were young, and pulled them out of WCPSS schools. But many of you still have a chance. Nothing will improve government schools faster than competition. Helping start Thales Academy in Apex is my small contribution to your children's future.
Ken, you are a successful
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 23:52 — user1234Ken, you are a successful man and community leader and we are fortunately you built TA but disparaging the competition (e.g. WCPSS) is beneath you and appears to be an act of desperation to fill your school which I know it is not.
So...
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 17:47 — shearertwOK, so that's about 35% of the people. Most of whom, probably pay very little taxes anyway.
lifting budget requirements
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 14:52 — Elect_StanNSome observations:
The budget reporting system required by the previous BOC has never been used.The Wake BOC has never had the power to determine howoperating funds should be used. The Wake BOC does have the power as to the amount of the suppliment of the State's funds.
WCPSS is 85th in funding operations per student among the 116 school systems in the state. The county, which is second in wealth, is 17th in contribution to operational funding. The state is 42nd in the nation.
IMO the reporting system was political window dressing.
91% of the counties in NC have chosen not to use the reporting system.
The NC DPI has the oversight responsibility for school operating cost variances. I don't believe that the Wake BOC has any power to demand that WCPSS correct the variance. The NCDPI and the NCGA control the standards that determine how much money is needed, e,g, class size.
The Wake BOE is faced with enormous challenges. Resolving those challenges require close cooperation between both boards. The useless reporting system was an obstacle to that cooperation.
Stan Norwalk, Wake County Commissioner
Seems like an easy out
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 22:45 — g88ky07Seems like an easy out Stan.
"The Wake BOE is faced with enormous challenges."
It seems they care nothing about having parents/voters support for the "enormous challenges" they face, so since they now have your genius mind to help them out, you guys should be able to continue running over and squashing parental existence and support for years to come.
But, that means NO BOND support either Stan. When EVER the day comes again that they, and you, want us to pass another bond, calling it an "enormous challenge" is an understatement. Your challenges, and theirs, have ONLY just begun to escalate and believe this if you believe nothing else, you won't have many Wake County parents/voters in your corner for those battles. Not the way we have been alienated by ALL the reassignment BS they have served up over the last decade + and certainly not the way our children have been, and are being, treated!!
Let that soak along side of your dentures for a while!
the NCDPI is aware of WCPSS
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 17:06 — AngelaWthe NCDPI is aware of WCPSS violation of class sizes and gave a one year "grace period", that time is now over...continue to write to the NCDPI demanding accountability of the BoE and Del Burns to right this wrong. It is legislated that the Superintendant's pay is contingent on fulfilling this...keep in mind WCPSS is not the only school system the NCDPI is charged with and despite the overwhelming and unmanageable size locally, they are far from the only school system tracked. We tend to forget that as we are mired in their muck, but NC is a LARGE state with LARGER school problems, test scores, etc....keep after these people and make them ALL held accountable....including the above writer who was elected to his position. If he and others want to give the WCPSS free reign with taxpayer's money, then let the CC's know how unhappy you are with their decision...they ALL work FOR us, they tend to forget that. They need reminding....constantly.
Shame
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 21:30 — SDR256Did you know that Del Burns makes about $330,000 per year? $330,000!!!! I would be so embarrassed if I were him, given the failure of the system! This is highway robbery!
Yep, his salary is higher
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 21:52 — CaryCurmudgeonYep, his salary is higher than the governor's. Look on the bright side: Del's Wake County schools are screwed up, Easley wrecked the whole state :)
Yes, that's a positive way to look at it
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 23:00 — Voice_of_Reason_Isn't it funny the highest paid public servants in this state all have to do with education (I'll include the education lottery - now there's a over-payed bureaucrat). But how have they performed? And since when does an education degree include management?
Now THAT would be funny if
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 22:01 — AngelaWNow THAT would be funny if it wasn't so damn true (and disturbing!)
yes, yes i did and that
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 21:33 — AngelaWyes, yes i did and that despite last years' fiasco's AND being slapped by NCDPI for class-size waivers, the economy, MYR, failed projections, test scores dropping, etc the BoE gave him a RAISE?!??!
Thanks for you comments
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 15:13 — shearertwThanks for you comments Stan.
The problem in Wake Co. is that a large portion of the people are disappointed by the narrow minded vision of the current WC BoE. Their stubborn reluctance to give up on a failed “bussing for diversity policy” coupled with a failedMYR policy has destroyed community based support for the school system. Both of those policies destroy community schools. Several of the current BoE members have even gone so far as to say that (eliminating community schools) is one of their goals. If WCPSS would implement more community friendly policies, I guarantee the people of this county would support higher property taxes to support such a system. I know I would. The issue could also be helped if NC would lower income tax rates making higher property taxes more palatable. In the mean time, I will support any measure that limits funding of the school system or makes it more difficult for them to operate and implement their community destroying policies. Period.
Shear, I couldn't have
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 17:33 — CaryCurmudgeonShear,
I couldn't have said it better. My kids (hopefully) only have two more years in WCPSS. I would gladly support more bonds and pay higher taxes if the school system wasn't run by a board which is hell-bent on MYR and busing. Even when my kids are out of the system, I'd gladly continue to pay more because I understand how much a healthy school system can contribute to our community.
But until we get a school board who will reverse the idiotic MYR and busing policies, I'll vote against every bond and fight every new tax. More money just means more of the same.
I'm glad you have that opinion
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 17:45 — supportwcpssUnfortunately a poll a year ago indicated half of the 70% of people without kids don't think they should have to pay school taxes at all. Talk about ignorant.
Good!
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 22:48 — g88ky07Yes, there will always be a
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 19:09 — CaryCurmudgeonYes, there will always be a segment of the population who do not want to pay for schools, or want to pay as little as possible.
In the past, there has always been strong support for investment in schools from parents with students in the system, and that support has been enough to tip the scales. But that is no longer the case. So many parents with children in the school system have become so alienated by the school board and their policies that I believe the scales have now tipped to a majority of the public not supporting bonds or higher taxes.
It didn't take much. The last bond passed by a percentage point. Since then, two major diversity-powered redistrictings, and an arrogant position by the school board that they do not need to justify their diversity policy. And a failure of the MYR experiment, which parents didn't want to begin with.
The school board has forgotten that THEY WORK FOR US, and it is going to cost us all dearly unless they get religion.
Always been a struggle
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 23:24 — supportwcpssHistory has shown that passing bonds and getting funding has ALWAYS been a struggle in this county.
well, the struggle just got
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 23:31 — CaryCurmudgeonwell, the struggle just got worse
and maybe this is part of why...
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 23:43 — AngelaWhttp://www.wcpss.net/Board/minutes/02-13-2007--minutes.pdf
On November 7, the voters of Wake County did approve a bond by 53%, which was based on a Capital Improvement Plan that we along with our County Commissioners worked on for at least 18 months and did incorporate the use of conversion dollars in order to have additional seating at the elementary and possibly the middle school level...They did approve dollars for our renovations and the modular units for the traditional campuses to increase our capacity there. But again, they denied the appropriation for conversion and modular units we needed for that.
The subject is funding for year-round conversion costs for 22 schools and associated moving of mobile units. Hence, that brings us to today for this special called meeting. The subject is: Funding for Year-Round Conversion Costs for 22 Schools and Associated Moving of Mobile Units.
Susan Parry made the motion to approve funding seconded by Eleanor Goettee....
David Neter made a presentation to the Board requesting funding for the cost associatedwith converting 22 schools to the year-round calendar. The funding that is being requested includes the moving of mobile units, teacher carts, teaching materials, library books, and related supplies. Funding for the teacher carts, teaching materials, library books, and related supplies will come from the undesignated fund balance in the amount of $1, 523, 660.Funding for the relocation of mobile units will come from current capital outlay budget and also from the undesignated capital outlay fund balance.Don Haydon gave a summary of the agenda item. Mr. Haydon stated that we will berelocating 18 additional modular/ mobile classroom units at elementary schools and 7 at middle schools for a total of 25 new units. We estimate that will take about 1.4 million dollars and money available at about $730,000, leaving a requirement of an additional $670,000 from fund balance.
Susan Parry requested that the numbers be repeated. It was estimated that 1.4 million dollars are required, and we have $730,000 available in operating budget now, leaving a need for an additional $670,000.
“The school board has
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 20:22 — user1234“The school board has forgotten that THEY WORK FOR US, and it is going to cost us all dearly unless they get religion.”
Ironically, everyone may get a little of what they want. Homeowners won’t get their taxes raised, parents with kids will get to stay in their favorite over crowded school with their kids meeting in the hallway, new comers will be turned off slowing the growth and the WCPSS can spend less time on building schools.
Let's see,
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 22:52 — g88ky07- No new taxes
- Kids stay at the school they should be at in the first place
- Slower growth
Sounds good, where's the problem?
Obviously parents do not
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 20:41 — CaryCurmudgeonObviously parents do not want over-crowded schools and kids meeting in the hallway, do you have a real point to make?
Not so obvious ... given
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 23:01 — user1234Not so obvious ... given say Panther Creek where they are seriously over crowded and going to another school 5 miles away which is less crowded parent go with the crowds. Recently, one node was excited to see another trailer added to Apex so they could stuff their kids in it. Give a favorite school some parents would let there kids meet in the bathrooms to be part of it.
Given no one likes higher taxes, a minority of voters have kids and they diss the school system all the time, I predict we will live in a stalemate meeting what ever the minimum state and national requirements needed to not get taken over.
wake allready does not meet
Thu, 01/15/2009 - 09:57 — vsheehanwake allready does not meet Fed regulations and no one has taken them over. Believe me the last thing Wake cares about is Fed regs.
Did this really happen??
Tue, 01/13/2009 - 22:27 — louiselee44"Later on, Webb ended the debate when he declared GOP Commissioner Tony Gurley out of order. Gurley had been attempting to run down a list of examples when, in his view, the school board had fallen short of being fiscally transporent [transparent] :-)."
Does this scare the dickens out of anyone besides myself? A County Commissioner denied the right to run down a list of actual expenditures by the school system - before his own board?? Unconscionable to me...
Tip of the iceberg
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 11:15 — Voice_of_Reason_I think similar things will happen on the national level too. Doing things like shutting the opposition up just because you are in power is not Democracy. At least they need the right to talk, if nothing else to let them go on record why they oppose things. Stan Norwalk is happy now, he can't stand Commissioner Gurley, I've heard that from his own mouth.
I think similar things will
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 11:24 — NWRaleighMomI think similar things will happen on the national level too.
Yes, that will happen, unfortunately. It will get worse until it gets better...
We are in Carter era again...
Repeat what you hear
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 17:39 — supportwcpssI'm glad you can repeat what you heard during the election with no real understanding of what the Carter era was about.
Let's see
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 22:17 — Voice_of_Reason_Carter disengaged from Iran - result The Iranian Hostage Situation, we are still living with the aftermath today. With the exception of Egypt, his foreign policy was abysmal.
Carter cut military spending - resulting in the embarrassing hostage rescue attempt.
Carter's lack of a good economic team - result double digit inflation, high unemployment, high interest rates.
Of course President Carter was smarter than President Elect Obama in science, he also had a lot more business, military, and executive experience too. And his world views are to the right of Obama's.
That's what I remember about him, I met him once when he was running against Ford. I was independent then, even voted Democrat a couple of times; after Jimmy Carter, never again.
So, enlighten me... What
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 17:45 — NWRaleighMomSo, enlighten me... What Carter era was really about?
I blame what we have today
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 14:23 — user1234I blame what we have today on Bush and the Republicans which is the reason I could not vote Republican in the last election … those greedy rascals have spent our national resources (people, wealth and good will) building schools and bridges in Iraq and Afghanistan instead of her in the US. If anyone is a true Republican (low taxes, small government, and limited foreign entanglement) than you can not support or affiliate with what passes for Republicans now a days. They have lost their way and sadly are still trying to figure out why.
Did you hear Bush yesterday that not finding weapons of mass destruction inIraq
ncdad2, huk, huk,
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 14:59 — shearertwncdad2,
huk, huk, huk.........blaaaaugh.
No doubt repubs lost there way but that was by trying to look like democrats! If you still believe the repubs were the only people in the world who thought Iraq still (still, because they absolutely had them at one point) had WMDs, you might try getting your info. from somewhere other than Mr. Moore's movies.
There is no doubt that there are many repubs with your mindset that will compromise us right into socialism for the "good of the public". Those are the repubs we need to get rid of.
“There is no doubt that
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 16:14 — user1234“There is no doubt that there are many repubs with your mindset that will compromise us right into socialism for the "good of the public". Those are the repubs we need to get rid of.”
My Republican friend ask me if I am scared with Obama … I say with two war, trillion dollar deficits, 10% unemployment, loosing lives in and rebuilding countries that don’t want our help, could it get much worse? The present Republican leaders have driven us in a ditch and unless you send them a message they won’t change. They need to be fired and benched. Remember the irony is that we are only staying afloat because Communist countries likeChina Beijing
Yeah
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 11:41 — Voice_of_Reason_Only this time it's already starting with a bad economy. I remember the Carter era when I was in the military. I also remember getting my first home with a 12% interest rate mortgage near the end of his term. I hope this is wrong, but I'm a realist.
Yes it is frightening
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 07:56 — Dadof3The denial and double-standard of the new incoming governance at all levels shows what a rough road lies before us. Accountability my foot. We've gone from drunk hens guarding the hen house to wolves.
I doubt Tony is going to
Tue, 01/13/2009 - 23:12 — g88ky07I doubt Tony is going to take much crap from Mr. Webb. Webb is lucky to be where he is, so he better watch out!
Good question. If not
Tue, 01/13/2009 - 16:54 — shearertwGood question.
If not them personally, at least their ideology. We can do our best to prevent people with their mindset from making it onto the BoE. Now that they have the power to waste our tax dollars however they see fit, they must also own the results....Their ideology will fail as it has in the past, hopefully damaging the ability of anyone else using these arguements/excuses in the future.
heaven forbid
Tue, 01/13/2009 - 15:00 — Forget_not_the_...heaven forbid we make admin or principals do extra paperwork....
wasn't it the Dems that were hollering about oversight and rules during the recent financial scandals????
paper trails are important...
not germane to the debate
Tue, 01/13/2009 - 13:12 — loriacInteresting that the busing policy is not germane to the debate, even though it costs taxpayers millions and is directly affected by the school board's policy 6200. Unreal.
Let me translate what "not
Tue, 01/13/2009 - 13:17 — shearertwLet me translate what "not germane" means in liberal political speak.
not germane = an arguement I cannot win
Let the "spreading of
Tue, 01/13/2009 - 12:54 — shearertwLet the "spreading of wealth", and students across the county, even more than before begin!
Now that they have the power they've been looking for, will you (folks out there) please hold these fools accountable in November?
The power they are looking
Tue, 01/13/2009 - 22:34 — CaryCurmudgeonThe power they are looking for includes TAXING AUTHORITY!! This is on their 2009 legislative agenda, and the school board will be lobbying the (Democratic majority) state legislature.
Can you imagine giving them free reign to determine their own budget? "Liberals Gone Wild, Wake County Edition!!"
Accountable how exactly?
Tue, 01/13/2009 - 16:30 — g88ky07How exactly do we hold them accountable? Patti and Lori aren't running, correct? Even IF no one runs against them?
Has old timer Horace decided yet?
Is there going to be ANYONE who wants the grief and will run to fill these headless voids of human life's seats???
Please join us.
Tue, 01/13/2009 - 13:28 — SDR256Shearertw - - Please come and help us do just that. Join our diverse cross county action oriented group on this topic. Send me an email at sdr256@hotmail.com for more information. We have to do this together and not wait anymore. We need all of you to put your action where your blogging is. :)
email sent....
Tue, 01/13/2009 - 13:41 — shearertwemail sent....