As you know by now, Wake school leaders gave final approval Tuesday to a$319.2 million budget to run schools for the 2008-09 school year.
Board members have spent weeks debating on which programs and services to cut after commissioners said they were only allotting $319.2 million, still an $18.5 million increase over this past fiscal year.
During those discussions, one of the items board members debating keeping $200,000 to stream school board meetings. Several board members favored this idea, however with all the cuts that needed to be made having that capability was chopped off the list.
During Tuesday's meeting school board members Lori Millberg and Patti Head reiterated the importance of being able to stream school board meetings. Board members have pointed to such technology being used during the county commissioners' meetings.
Some board members hinted that streaming could be made possible with money the district is supposed to recoup from fines paid by former House speaker Jim Black, since he was convicted in Wake County.
But school board member Ron Margiotta said with all the cuts that had to be made, any money recieved should go towards other items that had be cut. He mentioned adding more funds back to hire more teachers.
But both Millberg and Head countered that the ability to have the public listen to the discussions that take place during meetings is valuable.
"This is really in keeping with our efforts of keeping the public informed," said Head. "Hope that this could be a priority."
Comments
Makes you wonder.........
Fri, 07/18/2008 - 08:27 — WuptdoI wonder if the "F&R" students at the various High Schools also have to pay for parking if they drive to school?
More circumstantial evidence
Thu, 07/17/2008 - 21:35 — Voice_of_Reason_Report from the front.... upstart Thales Academy in Wake Forest went from an enrollment of 38 last year to 162 this year. Are the affluent voting with their pocket? Or is WCPSS doing their job? I report, you decide.
Not Affluent but definately casting my final vote!!!
Fri, 07/18/2008 - 11:49 — J8307200I was one of those parents at the new Thales Academy Open House last night. We were a diverse group with most races, nationalities, and socio economic interest represented. One BIG difference - we were all there because we feel like we just left a sinking ship. When Bob Luddy got up to speak, the look on most of the parents faces looked like they had just gotten their children on the last life boat of the Titanic. The applause for this man's vision was amazing. I have been walking around on cloud nine all day knowing that we made the right decision. No longer will the decisions regarding the best interest of my child lie in the hands of anyone except my husband and myself. It is the best $4700 we have ever spent!!!!! The teachers there are amazing as well as the curriculum and we are very impressed with the Direct Instruction method. We have finally found the "Community" school we were looking for since we moved here. THANKS BOB LUDDY! YOU SHOULD BE NOMINATED FOR SAINT HOOD!!!
Is that for the Raleigh
Fri, 07/18/2008 - 09:09 — NCBoyMommyIs that for the Raleigh Campus alone or does that include all three campuses (Raleigh, Apex, Wake Forest)?
Thales
Fri, 07/18/2008 - 20:28 — Kent Misegades (not verified)Thanks for the kudos. I am leading the Apex Thales effort. Annual tuition at all schools is $5,000/year with a few special discounts. Contact thalesacademy.org for details. One note: Thales parents come from all levels of income. $5,000 is about half what the government spends from our taxes per child for Wake public schools right now. Average day care costs in Wake County are $10,000/year or more. Thales is a great value at $5,000.
for the few
Thu, 07/17/2008 - 18:18 — Forget_not_the_...Now for me personally I would love for the BOE to stream their meetings on the internet--I am not a subscriber to TW cable....and I appreciate and agree with the frivilousness of the $200,000 expense.
One thing I would like to point out is that there are countless people, or it is families or whatever that would be incredibly enlightened if they could view via the internet what happens at these BOE meetings.
Many of our confusions--that we face and discuss here--could be clarified.
I vote they move a few children's schools closer to home and cut the transportation costs and utilize those funds to educate us on what is going on...
Parking Fees
Thu, 07/17/2008 - 12:08 — Chris (not verified)Panther Creeks parking fee went up $50 after the budget approval. Does anyone know if parking fees go directly to that school or into the Wake County School District coffers?
Why pay the fees?
Fri, 07/18/2008 - 20:32 — Kent Misegades (not verified)2/3rds of the kids now getting free meals in Wake County schools now do not qualify, however they are never held accountable. So why bother paying for the parking? If it becomes an issue, demand that all the kids getting free meals also be forced to pay.
Coffers...
Thu, 07/17/2008 - 13:36 — Bob_SconceBased on this, I'd say that they go to the district's coffers.
Students do have a way to fight back: just don't buy the parking pass. The district has already shown its disinterest in stopping kids from parking on neighboring streets, so just park off-campus and walk the rest.
Or, alternatively, take the school bus. The resulting overload of students would almost certainly cause enough of a problem to get the district's attention.
This approach would, naturally, require the kids to band together -- five kids won't make a difference, but if a school's parking revenue drops by 80%, the school will have to do something to get them back. After all, now they're relying on the revenue.
Coffers....
Thu, 07/17/2008 - 17:45 — Chris (not verified)Well hate to say - my boy is going to be a Senior and with a first period bell of 7:20AM and a bus that comes at 6:30AM - I have been doing carpool for 2 years and I have a 2nd at Salem Middle with same bell time - in another carpool (so kids can get a little more sleep )- I am ready for him to drive himself or carpool with his buddies - I was hoping money went towards Panther Creek itself, Also we already paid the initial cost - now when we gp to pick-up pass it will be another $50.
One more question - why is the fee different per each Hoigh School - does anyone know?
The issue is a problem
Wed, 07/16/2008 - 16:46 — bigwinnieThe issue is a problem statewide -- 23,550 students dropped out of high school in the 2006-07 school year:
http://news14.com/content/school_news/597242/n-c--leaders-focus-on-graduation-rates/Default.aspx
•Wake County's dropout rate stands at 4.21 percent.
•Orange County's number is slightly higher, at 4.28 percent.
•Guilford County's numbers are lower, at 2.99 percent.
•Cumberland County's dropout rate is 3.56 percent.
•Durham County's dropout rate stands at 4.90 percent
•Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools saw a 6.39 percent rate.
Dropout versus graduation rates
Fri, 07/18/2008 - 20:37 — Kent Misegades (not verified)Be careful when looking at these numbers as the NCDPI and WCPSS are experts at hiding the reality. The important rate is the so-called "cohort" graduation rate which has been defined by the US Department of Education. Many states, in particular NC, have been slow in adopting this definition as it reveals the sobering reality that many counties in our states graduate less than 60% of their students. For minorities, the rate is rarely greater than 50%. In the Lexington City district, the rate for minorities is about 25%. It is a disaster and a disgrace, not to mention they massive waste in tax money that should be given to parents as vouchers to allow them to spare their children from government schools.
so WCPSS does not use this
Sat, 07/19/2008 - 16:16 — bigwinnieso WCPSS does not use this rate at this time? is there a formula or a place you can direct me to? thanks.
Hours to Cut $39MM
Wed, 07/16/2008 - 15:05 — al_in_garnerBUDGET CUTS MADE
Four hours later, the school board has made $39 million in cuts to the budget.
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/wakeed/budget-cuts-made
Remember when Judge Manning ruled for WakeCARES and WCPSS / BOE came back within 24 hours with their "well thought out CHOICE plan" ??
When the sole directive is DIVERSITY AT ANY COST, everything else is simply justification. The budget option they chose, from those worked up by staff, was the highest option availabe. Then we were told it took only hours to make the cuts.
Or am I just confused by the truth here? Sure looks like a pattern to me.
A Joke
Wed, 07/16/2008 - 14:40 — rr77rr99Sure are conceited huh? What's wrong with posting all the detailed discussion minutes online instead of having streaming? Do they pay to have the meetings broadcast on time warner cable with a second rebroadcast on Sunday nights?
Folks, this "house of cards" standing on a ledge has to come to a crashing fall soon. I know, in the meantime, waiting it out, we are all suffering. My child was forced int MYR, now the school is under enrolled, said child will attend the new year in a trailer, and probably next year as well, now the foreign language is cut and the pull outs for AG? Are they next? ... it's a joke. One big joke. Yet, crank those AC units as the rates increase and fill those tanks with fuel... and send home those lists of everything teachers need "donated" from home to have an "effective learning environment"....
And how much money......
Wed, 07/16/2008 - 14:25 — WuptdoWhat is the budget for the Public Relations Department? How much is the PR Flak's Mike Evan's salary? Can someone explain to me why WCPSS needs a PR Flak, besides getting national awards to undeserving, overpaid, administrators? If there is one department that can disappear overnight and no one would miss it is the PR department (Communications Department).
Also, I bet for a small rental fee, the BoE(eR) can have their meetings at the new Cary Town Hall, complete with lighting & cameras. Cary already has its own TV station.
Of course, there is always the $40 million (plus) wasted on "Busing for diversity."
Thinking outside the box
Wed, 07/16/2008 - 17:40 — Bob_SconceThat's a great idea. The Commissioners also have the equipment. Why not just use the same space?
$40M seems a bit high, even with gas prices where they are. But, whatever the number is, it's clearly over $200,000.
Why streamline when all the
Wed, 07/16/2008 - 14:03 — choice4allWhy streamline when all the GOOD stuff is in closed session and we can't see it anyway. Maybe hold the meetings at a decent hour where people could actually attend. 200 thousand $$$'s is a bit much to just watch all of the back slappin....sheesh. Now that everything is almost HD the next thing in the budget would be hair and makeup and lighting and..............
Amen.
Wed, 07/16/2008 - 17:38 — Bob_SconceYou have hit on one of my pet peeves. Recruiting board members is difficult, in part because the current board has scheduled its meetings at biazrre times. Many school board members across the country are local business people, who go straight from work to the evening school board meeting. By constantly scheduling meetings during the day, the board severely limits the number of people who could take the job.
Focus, board, focus
Wed, 07/16/2008 - 13:16 — Dadof3Just focus. Streaming is nice but you've got to be kidding. Give the extra money to a deserving teacher, not freakin' A/V to http equipment.
Why the concern......
Wed, 07/16/2008 - 12:33 — WuptdoSince when did the BoE(eR) ever care about what the "public" thinks? Beside, with the NandO, WRAL, and other media outlets acting as their Public Relations department and SPIN doctors, why worry. All local media ever reports is "sunshine & puppy dog tails" about the BoE(eR) and WCPSS.
Too bad, local media doesn't treat the BoE(eR) and WCPSS like any other public official or government agency. Image how much better the BoE(eR) and WCPSS if they were treated like Uncle Jim Black, Department of Transportation, and now that he is the "lamest duck" ever, Gov. "Tax Hike" Mike.
I wonder why Cary moved from 9th place to 15th "Best place to Live" in Money Magazine?
I saw an interview with
Wed, 07/16/2008 - 14:22 — Anonymous (not verified)I saw an interview with someone from Money Magazine and they did say that one of the reasons Cary moved to 15th was due to excessive growth and crowded schools.
For Shame, putting the money
Wed, 07/16/2008 - 11:38 — bigwinnieFor Shame, putting the money back into the schools SHOULD be a priority, thank you RON, wit all the complaining and carrying o and BLAMING that the BOE did about the cut in funding the first thing they think of is something like THIS??????? we have teachers and assistants dropping like flies at our school this year and you think I want to waste a dime on the thought of streaming this BOE? Why so I can really catch them in a lie? they'll STILL find ways around it, they always do.