New Wake County school board chairman Ron Margiotta has a busy 24 months ahead of him before he retires.
As noted in today's article, Margiotta, 71, doesn't plan to run for another seat on the board when his term expires November 2011. He's not taking excuses that changes are too hard to make.
"I keep hearing people say it's too hard to change things," Margiotta said in the article. "That the district is too large to make changes. I don't accept that. We're going to put our noses to the grindstone."
That would be a real retirement for Margiotta, who came to Apex in 2000 with his wife to spend more time with their daughter and grandson. He decided to raise cows because he wanted to have something to do with his time.
But his grandson's reassignment sparked him to run, culminating in him now being chairman of the board.
Greater use of neighborhood schools and no mandatory year-round schools are among the things that Margiotta wants to explore, possibly as soon as the 2010-11 school year.
But Margiotta said he also wants to address the "bright flight" of students to private schools and charter schools. The departure of these often high-achieving and affluent students increases the poverty level in the school system.
School administrators say that the net number of students returning to the district annually from charters, home-schools and private schools is greater than those who leave. But overall, there's still a large percentage of the county's schoolage population, as much as 18 percent, who aren't attending the Wake school system.
"I'm a supporter of private schools and charter schools, but at the same time i want to bring them back to us," Margiotta said.
In connection with the above goal, Margiotta said he wants to do a better job of addressing the needs of academically gifted students.
Margiotta also wants to measure Wake against other school districts nationally, not just those in the state. He said this could cost additional money in the form of new testing to make national comparisons.
In recent years, Wake has gotten away from comparing itself to other districts nationally. You don't hear Wake talk much any more about the Educational Benchmarking Network. Under EBN, Wake and a consortium of districts around the country shared data, including testing results.
Earlier in this decade, Wake's SAT report compared the district with other EBN districts such as Fairfax County in Virginia and Gwinnett County in Georgia. Wake did better than some and worse than others.
In recent years, Wake's SAT report compares the district with the other big districts in the state. In that comparison, Wake is on top.
Comments
SO let's be clear
Wed, 12/09/2009 - 10:10 — supportwcpssMr. Hui - So Ronny sent out a letter without sharing with the rest of the Board? Is that how this went down.
If so the dictator strikes again.
I heard on tonight's news
Wed, 12/09/2009 - 01:19 — red_balloonI heard on tonight's news that Ron sent out a letter to magnet parents and staff. Once the magnets are done feasting, I hope some crumbs can be given to the non-magnet schools.
Wake School Board Chair Ron
Wed, 12/09/2009 - 05:20 — AngelaWWake School Board Chair Ron Margiotta sent a letter to magnet principals Tuesday, reassuring parents and staff that magnet schools are not on the chopping block by the new board majority. But parents are skeptical.
The letter was sent via email by Superintendent Del Burns on behalf of Margiotta, who asked that it be distributed to parents and staff.
In it, Margiotta said,
"In conversations with School Board members, I can assure you that no discussions have been held about the magnet system or its future. As the Board moves forward, the magnet system will certainly be part of our discussion in improving education for all children but only with the input of parents, staff and taxpayers."
Parents at Carnage Magnet Middle School for a PTSA meeting Tuesday night were skeptical at the assurance.
"I'm not reassured by the letter," said parent Jim Martin. "I've gotten no sense that Mr. Margiotta or other of these newly-elected board members understand what the magnet system is all about. I think there needs to be an understanding before we'll gain any kind of reassurance."
Board member Keith Sutton had already been scheduled to speak with parents at the meeting. He said he had not seen the letter before being presented with it Tuesday night, but that it was good to hear how the new majority on the board felt about magnet schools.
"We didn't have an idea of how they felt about the magnet program, one way or the other," he said. "So it is a bit reassuring that that's how they feel. We'll see."
Newly-installed Board Member Debra Goldman said Tuesday that she urged Margiotta to address magnet parents after receiving hundreds of emails from parents and students.
Read the full text of Margiotta's letter below:
Staff and parents,
Over the past several weeks, many concerns and questions have been raised about the future of magnet Schools in our Public School system. I heard many comments during the Dec.1st. School Bd. meeting as well as numerous stories in the media that have created uncertainty and frustration with parents and staff. As Chairman of the School Board I feel it is necessary to address this issue with those who are involved with Magnet Schools on a daily basis to quell further rumors and hearsay.
Magnet Schools serve as an integral piece in educating children in Wake County.In conversations with School Board members, I can assure you that no discussions have been held about the magnet system or its future. As the Board moves forward, the magnet system will certainly be part of our discussion in improving education for all children but only with the input of parents, staff and taxpayers. Your involvement in the discussion process is vital to achieving academic excellence for all our students.
I thank you for your work and commitment to the children of Wake County and look forward to your guidance in the future.
Ron Margiotta
Chairman Wake County School Board
The uninformed just keep
Tue, 12/08/2009 - 01:16 — changewcpssThe uninformed just keep crawling out from under their rocks don't they?
"Ron and the people that have supported them are of an extreme," said Rhonda Curtright, a North Raleigh parent and leader of BiggerPicture4Wake, a parents' group that backed school board candidates who ultimately lost. "A majority of the citizens of Wake County find the school system to be a success."
This woman needs to get out more. The supporters of change are parents who are extremely involved and concerned about all children in the system if you want to label that extreme. Those who find the school system to be a success need to broaden their horizons to see that there is a real world outside failing WCPSS land. Anyone happy with the current status quo needs to open their eyes.
Suggestions on Fixes
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 13:29 — RMC10Stop teaching to the test. Teachers - stop rushing through chapters, ideas, math theory, units. We are in 6th grade at AMS, and the core subjects seem rushed through some on what seems a touch and go on plan. All in preparation for the EOG tests. So children pass the test, but really don't absorb for the long term the theory behind the rote homework.
Offer more AP classes - make magnet school curriculum the "standard" in all schools. Don't dumb down the kids for test scores. Make them stretch for the test scores. Yes, moms out there, I agree not every kid is college bound, or even high school graduation material, but if we keep telling them, downgrading the schools they are attending, and not challenging those who can, we're going to keep the bar too low for those who want to.
Make school days longer - get rid of the tiered bus systems, so kids aren't going to school on 5-6 hours sleep and are too sleepy to learn. Hard to get a 15 year old to go to bed at 8:00 for the required sleep time and still get to the 6:00 A.M. bus.
Lastly, the current system does not even count the electives on AYP. Those are the classes that students choose, tend to have more interest in, and tend to stick with and do better in. Yet they get no "count" in EOG/AYP scores. Test the WHOLE person. The schools only really check and report the core subjects. But doesn't test their interests, passions, things that add IQ points, not necessarily the EOG grade. The EOG grade often underscores a child's intelligence and knowledge, leaving shildren in slower classes, with no interest in say algorithims, but give that child a paintbrush and he might get all A's in art. The current system pidgeon holes certain groups, ethnicities, cultures as Less Than Perfect individuals setting kids up for that self fulfilling prophecy failure and drop out statistic risk.
"Make school days longer
Tue, 12/08/2009 - 23:35 — user12345"Make school days longer "
I agree but any thing that messes with people's day care is like swatting a bees' nest.
Not when
Wed, 12/09/2009 - 01:00 — TrailerParkGirlit reduces the need and cost.
like swatting a bees' nest - good one
ok try it reduces family
Wed, 12/09/2009 - 19:43 — carson79ok try it reduces family time...like swatting a bee's nest.
Just like most of the suggestions I read here
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 19:26 — exYank_WCprin1. Business community demanded accountability before they would support a pay increase for teachers 15 years ago. You will need to contact the Chamber, etc. or DPI to change testing requirements. My guess the budget shortfall will cause it to happen..except for 5 tests.
2. AP classes are determined by the number of students who request them. If you want to offer AP classes with less than 15 students it will cost 100,000's from WCPSS or the state..or convince more 11th/12th graders to sign up for them...good luck....
3. You currently have a 3 tier system..to go to 2 would require many more buses...oops....we're against spending $$ for more buses. Take the computer, cell phone, TV , etc from his room and he will go to sleep earlier...oops...no guts......
4. AYP was a federal law passsed by President Bush....contact new Sec. of Educ or new President.
Gee.. simple solutions don't work ...what a surprise
How about a radical solution?
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 21:57 — g88ky07Once the new neighborhood school system kicks in, cut 1/3rd + of busing out totally and make those kids/parents responsible for their own transportation? Don't think it could happen, tell me where we are with the budget this time next year! Heck, why wait until then.
I second this notion: "make
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 13:34 — red_balloonI second this notion: "make magnet school curriculum the "standard" in all schools."
kind of... within the
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 14:07 — JSBinNCkind of...
within the magnets themselves there are huge variances, right? The magnet school my kids attend doesn't have 6 language offerings or robotics etc - the "magnet" is the teaching methodology. There are no electives.
They do however - get Spainsh. Our base didn't offer additional language at all.
So you cannot just say "make magnet school cirriculum the standard" because even it is non-standard.
Got it though the term
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 14:23 — red_balloonGot it though the term "magnet school curriculum" refers to enhanced curriculum in general. This would be a big leap forward for non-magnet schools paraded as schools of excellence where students are dumbed down on a daily basis.
My kids were accepted into a
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 13:00 — shearertwMy kids were accepted into a magnet program and we declined. I guess I have 4 heads......
I can see myself declining
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 13:31 — red_balloonI can see myself declining it based on safety and commute times. Any specific reason why you declined it?
"safety" What do you mean
Wed, 12/09/2009 - 19:48 — carson79"safety"
What do you mean by this - is it accidents at early morning bus stops?
yeah! I was wondering the
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 13:34 — JSBinNCyeah! I was wondering the same thing... totally understand if you don't want to share - but if you applied and got in - what happened to change your mind?
Two main reasons we
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 13:49 — shearertwTwo main reasons we declined:
1- Commute would have made some of the extracullicular activities my kids are involved in nearly impossible.
2- We strongly believe in and desire for our children to be involved in a community based school. I want them to be able to interact with the friends they make in school outside of school as well. I want to know the parents of my kids friends.
When we applied for the magnet school, the change was looking hopeless (last spring). We went to the magnet fair and saw some very nice programs. It was exciting but it also pissed me off that the magnets got all these nice programs while my kid's school got squat! Then I met some WSCA parents (before there was a WSCA) and saw some light at the end of the tunnel. We were hoping the school system would change and were willing to give it one more year before sending them 45 minutes away to a magnet school just to pull them out and send them to the local community school 2 years later. I'm hoping the gamble paid off and I'm counting on the new board to make the changes they promised. We'll see.
Different strokes for different folks
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 18:21 — cary_parent- And, for us, the commute isn't an issue although we haven't run into any extra curricular scheduling problems.
- Our kids have school friends and neighborhood friends, and, as parents, we're meeting the parents of their friends -- irregardless of where the friends come from.
The longer bus ride is a trade-off for what ourfamily values, and it works for us. I'm concerned that we won't have that option in the future.
tried both
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 18:50 — loriacWe actually tried both this year - a magnet high school, before transferring back to the base high school (when the magnet school cancelled a key offering).
For us, the magnet was a huge mistake. Here the neighborhood kids all go to our base school, so they are always making plans, getting together for studying or movies. The bus ride from the magnet was 1.5 hours long coming home in the afternoon which would have meant no more sports team. Getting together with friends would not happen much if i had to drive 1/2 hour (vs 5-10 min) each time I picked up and dropped off - that's just the reality of being a working mom. When they cancelled a key beginning class at the magnet school - that was the last straw - no reason to put up w/ the distance anymore. And - the base school still offers this class.
Thank goodness we were able to transfer back. Going to the neighborhood school was the right decision for both scholastic offerings, quality of life for being able to do things w/ friends, as well as being able to participate in sports.
I thought I read that once
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 18:54 — shank56I thought I read that once you entered a magnet school, you had to saty at least for a full semester before returning to base.
How did you work getting back to base so soon?
transfer request
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 19:11 — loriacI had saved all the paperwork that showed applying for the class at the base school, being approved by the teachers, all that - when it was cancelled at the magnet and no longer available, we requested the transfer back.
I'm confused. I thought
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 19:46 — shank56I'm confused. I thought you applied to a magnet for the program- gifted and talented, AG, etc. Even for high school.
So you can micro apply to just ONE COURSE ? Is that available to all students?
you're reading too much into it
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 20:01 — loriacThe technology school cancelled a beginning technology class, it was available at the base school, so I applied for the transfer and it was approved. I'm glad they transferred him back so he could take it his Freshman year and be able to take all the advanced classes later.
Loriac--do you mind telling
Tue, 12/08/2009 - 10:38 — jenmanLoriac--do you mind telling us what class was cancelled? I'm assuming that this was SE Raleigh High. How did they justify cancelling a beginning tech class that would prevent students from taking advanced classes later? That is just crazy!
ok
Tue, 12/08/2009 - 11:52 — loriacComp Sci 1/II was cancelled. Due to the budget cuts, the principal said there weren't enough kids in the class so she had to move the teacher to teach other math classes that were overcrowded.
I pointed out that if she cancelled the beginning class, then there would never be enough kids in the higher classes so she was effectively ending the program (a key program at a technology magnet). She said the class MAY be offered in the spring, but gave no promises. I think there's a problem if the technology magnet is not attracting enough kids to the curriculum to keep offering the classes. The principal felt her hands were tied, so we opted for the transfer.
Other note - SE had a grant to purchase a room full of MACs that were used in some of their other classes. I've heard that some or all of these MACs were stolen... this is just a darn shame, never heard anything about it in the news.
" the principal said there
Tue, 12/08/2009 - 23:41 — user12345" the principal said there weren't enough kids in the class so she had to move the teacher "
Advanced classes are cancelled all the time or not offered at low wealth schools .... when there are too many poor kids in a school there is not enough "interest" ...
So change
Wed, 12/09/2009 - 01:04 — TrailerParkGirlSo change the kids' interests. I've started reading There Are No Shortcuts. The author, a teacher in inner-city LA, has his largely low-income Latino students reading Hamlet and doing Algebra in 5th grade.
Oh wait I've seen this
Wed, 12/09/2009 - 02:12 — carson79Oh wait I've seen this movie!! Of course since there is a book about it, everyone must be able to do it and all our teachers just need to get a copy of this book! So you are not done with the book?
There is a good critique of this book online somewhere, I'll try to find it, it shows how Esquith's success is twisted into the rights' defense of separate but equal schooling, written by the social studies teacher of the year the same year that Esquit won.
There are no easy answers that is for sure. Handing this book to all the teachers in Wake that are going to enter a classroom of poverty dwelling inner city kids is not going to get it on its own either but it may be a place to start.
I'm concerned that we won't
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 18:41 — NWRaleighMomI'm concerned that we won't have that option in the future.
We never had this option. We applied/denied/appealed/denied every year.
what school were you
Wed, 12/09/2009 - 19:50 — carson79what school were you applying for? where do you live in NW Raleigh?
I skipped the magnet fair
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 13:56 — red_balloonThanks for sharing. I skipped the magnet fair since I didn't need the aggravation of knowing in finer detail what the privileged are entitled to in WCPSS. Seeing the Magnet ad (with the word "options") on the N&O website was annoying enough. Hearing my kid's teacher state that she is not allowed to go beyond the basics was particularly irksome.
equally irksome is the fact
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 13:59 — AngelaWequally irksome is the fact that teachers have been teaching without textbooks as well....thanks WCPSS.
Magnet schools, private schools, and community schools
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 10:24 — cary_parentIt will be interesting to see how this all plays out. After multiple rounds of applications, our kids were accepted into a magnet school that we feel follows a more rigorous academic program. With the possibility of losing that opportunity -- either through re-assignment or de-magnetization -- we're now considering private school -- maybe this is also "bright flight", but in the opposite direction of what's discussed in the original posting.
I'd be thrilled if there were real opportunities for stronger academic coursework and rigor at a broader set of schools, or, ideally, all schools. I'm sceptical that this can be accomplished without raising taxes or passing more bonds.
My kid goes to a non-magnet
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 12:42 — red_balloonMy kid goes to a non-magnet school. If he continues to not have access to a better standard of education, I too will have to explore private school options.
I understand you want both
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 11:06 — NWRaleighMomI understand you want both low taxes and rigorous coursework for your child. How about other children who are also deserving of challenging curriculum?
Wanting both...
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 11:17 — cary_parentActually, I'd be willing to pay higher taxes and fund additonal bonds. However, I don't think Wake County (the elected leaders, or the citiizens) has the appetite for this.
And I never said anything about other children *not* deserving a challenging curriculum. I'd love to see a rising tide raise all boats. How do you propose achieving that?
How do you propose achieving
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 11:33 — NWRaleighMomHow do you propose achieving that?
If ALL parents demand rigorous curriculum from administration/BoE/county commissioners, it will be done. If magnet parents lobby just for themselves, it won't.
That's exactly what has been
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 11:45 — shearertwThat's exactly what has been the problem in the past (either intentional or not). WCPSS set up a system of haves and have not’s based on a lottery. The magnet parents have a common interest that bands them together. They can therefore easily demand more and more from the magnet system. Non-magnet parents are then fractured throughout the county such that even neighbors don't have kids in the same school. Throw in YR vs Trad and those fractures are split again. The amazing thing that WSCA was able to accomplish was to pull some of those fractured parents together. Imagine what that power can accomplish to raise standards if applied on a local level, school by school.
Well Said
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 12:56 — JanisTangoWell said Shearertw....well said indeed. If everyone would throw down their swords and stop judging each other and other parents in general then we could band together to accomplish some amazing things. I had a magnet parent tell me I was a fool by not applying to a magnet school. They looked at me like I had three heads when I said I don't want magnet for my children! I'm not going to judge the magnet program...it just doesn't happen to be what I want for my children!
No it won't
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 11:44 — supportwcpssOnly 30% of the county are parents. Demanding will not get you a rigourous curriculum. There will be compromises because 70% don't want their taxes raised.
What will, in your opinion?
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 12:10 — NWRaleighMomWhat will, in your opinion? I remember you writing that you didn't agree with magnet schools implementation in this county?
First, I doubt that all 70%
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 11:50 — shearertwFirst, I doubt that all 70% of non-parents don't want their taxes raised because some of them realize a good, local school will raise their property values far more than the taxes. Likewise, all parents (or 30%) don't want higher taxes either (including me). Like I said, its not funding, its a mindset. You don't have to pay a teacher more to teach higher level math to 2nd graders. The teacher is there for the same amount of time each day. Its what they do with their time that's different.
It is a mindset
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 14:00 — TrailerParkGirlThere is a mindset of the community aspect.
Explains why my hometown, which also has majority non-parents, does not have trouble raising funding for education. The city describes itself as commited to family, education and local government. The community in general values education. This "only parents with kids in the system care about education" mentality here is new to me.
...
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 14:05 — SideburnsI agree, TPG. And it's so quickly rattled off.
The children of today are the caretakers and decision makers of tomorrow.
from little things, big
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 14:11 — AngelaWfrom little things, big things grow.
I find it ironic that the loudest complainers are basing their hatred and distrust on ONE meeting, parents of WCPSS have been dealing with arrogant board members for years whom ignored public outcry against items jammed down their throats, (MYR, Wacky Wednesdays, reassignments thrown into plan at the last minute for some off the cuff examples....the list goes on and on...)
talk about disrespect....
Unlike
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 16:24 — supportwcpssSome on here who used the hate word when referencing the old board.
I never said I hated anyone but I do distrust them. The one meeting is what I have so far and it my opinion that the behavior and process was not good. I will be objective going into the next meeting.
riiight.....is that before
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 16:50 — AngelaWriiight.....is that before or after you throw alphabet blocks at them?
Calling them Hilter is not
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 16:40 — trollwatcherCalling them Hilter is not worse than hating them Diana?
why do you keep doing this,
Wed, 12/09/2009 - 02:14 — carson79why do you keep doing this, going around calling people Diana?? Am I missing something??