More to come but here's a quick recap on the revisions that staff proposed today for Wake County school bell schedules this fall.
They're now eliminating the changes that had elementary schools shift from a 9:15 a.m. to a 9:25 a.m. opening time. The new plan also only has 53 schools seeing changes for this fall with only five schools seeing shifts of more than 50 minutes.
Staff is now projecting a $12.6 million saving over two years. It's different from the one year $10 million savings mentioned before because they say Wake's transportation efficiency rating will drop this fall no matter so they'll lose some funding.
There's another proposal, not recommended by staff, that would allow them to not have the five schools shift by more than 50 minutes. It's not being recommended because the two-year savings is only $10.3 million.
Staff is warning that whatever the school board does it might need to be changed again because they'd possibly have to adjust the school year by five days and 25 hours this fall. Wake's waiver is still in limbo but the General Assembly may drop the requirement.
UPDATE
Click here to view the revised bell schedule.
Click here for the survey results.
Click here for the staff presentation.
Comments
waiver
Thu, 02/23/2012 - 14:30 — louiselee44Waivers for the 5 days were granted this year, so probably will be next year (to systems that apply), although there's no guarantee. You're right, there has been talk that legislators might make changes. The reason for the 5 day addition makes for interesting discussion - not to go into here. :^) Of course, I have a definite opinion on that, based on so much time spent down at the Gen'l Assembly (plus past history, "deal-making" information, etc.!) Not gonna open that can of worms!
The state Board deferred
Tue, 02/28/2012 - 19:11 — KeungHui (author)The state Board deferred action pending what the General Assembly does but has said they're not expected to give any waivers for the 2012-13 school year.
is 5 extra days in play?
Wed, 02/22/2012 - 18:11 — tsgcoupso what about the 5 extra days that the state wants added to each school year. You can't do that at year-round schools. Will they have to add time to each day....change the bus schedule again? Or is WCPSS trying to get a waiver?
You can...
Thu, 02/23/2012 - 13:26 — Bob_SconceBut, it's messy -- the administration came out with a plan that had all 4 tracks in service on some days. Another alternative is Saturdays.
waiver
Wed, 02/22/2012 - 18:39 — turnerk1WCPSS is trying to get a partial waiver. I can't remember the details now, but I think if the waiver is approved, it won't affect the school year.
I think I also read that the
Wed, 02/22/2012 - 18:40 — jenmanI think I also read that the Gen Assembly may get rid of that requirement. Or at least people are hoping? lol
Me too
Wed, 02/22/2012 - 18:44 — turnerk1I've read the same.
So it looks like this is
Wed, 02/22/2012 - 15:55 — CaryMomof4So it looks like this is still just a proposal and they decided not to let us know the final bell schedules before the end of the choice selection period. I thought that was the point of adding the extra meeting yesterday to get it done while we still had a chance to choose schools with different bell schedules if we needed to.
That is correct
Wed, 02/22/2012 - 22:45 — FSandYOUYou won't have a clue until well past this Friday. Typical wcpss and now that we have Martie, Susie and Kushie plotting behind the scenes to STILL, let me repeat, STILL STOP THIS ASSIGNMENT PLAN, you may not know what's going on for months.
Again, typical wcpss fashion when the liberals are in control.
As for the 5 extra days, I heard very clearly not long ago they are not going to provide any waivers to anyone. So who knows. It's like the Friday school lunch menu, is it mystery meat or just puddin'?
Still seeing change for the sake of change
Wed, 02/22/2012 - 11:48 — jedaviUnfortunatley they didn't seem to look at elementary schools that are close together that seem to be switching bell schedules. Lead Mine and Lynn Rd are within two miles of each other and this proposal still has them switching bell schedules. Would be much less disruptive to leave each alone as there still seems to be a need for one 8:30 start and one 9:15 start in that area.
Staff didn't discuss that
Wed, 02/22/2012 - 12:02 — KeungHui (author)Staff didn't discuss that particular shift but they discussed a similiar situation involving Briarcliff Elementary and a nearby school that would flip schedules. They said that Briarcliff was moved to 9:15 a.m. and the other school was moved to 8:30 a.m. because Briarcliff runs more buses and needed the extra time.
survey results
Wed, 02/22/2012 - 11:07 — EBDarcyWere the results of the survey presented?
It's part of the
Wed, 02/22/2012 - 11:25 — KeungHui (author)It's part of the presentation handout linked to in the third paragraph.
THird paragraph
Wed, 02/22/2012 - 11:31 — Bob_Sconceof what?
Mental block. I meant to say
Wed, 02/22/2012 - 11:35 — KeungHui (author)Mental block. I meant to say the third paragraph of today's post on the bell schedule.
It turns out that I didn't
Wed, 02/22/2012 - 19:45 — KeungHui (author)It turns out that I didn't link to the survey results themselves, just the staff presentation. I've now included it in the update to this post.