The next step toward building public support for Wake County's new student assignment plan kicks off tonight with the first of six informational meetings that will be held over the next two two weeks.
During the meetings, the student assignment task force will give an update on the choice-based plan and also answer questions from the public. Tonight's meeting is at Middle Creek High School, followed by Thursday at Wakefield High, Sept. 7 at Apex High, Sept. 8 at Southeast Raleigh High, Sept. 13 at Broughton High and Sept. 15 at East Wake High. All run from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The meetings were initially announced on Monday with the district revising the meeting dates and locations yesterday. The short notice for the meetings prompted a Monday blog post from Bob Geary of the liberal Independent weekly asking "what's the rush?"
Superintendent Tony Tata had said last month he would hold staff-led meetings sometime in September. The school board is also expected to hold meetings at some point.
(I'm still getting caught up on things today so please be patient.)
UPDATE
Fewer than 50 people showed up tonight at Middle Creek High. The questions from the audience, along with answers, will eventually be posted online by the district.
Comments
Bizarre Wake Forest maps...
Wed, 08/31/2011 - 13:15 — Bob_SconceThere are three elementary schools in Wakefield, only one goes to Wakefield Middle and Wakefield High. Not all of Heritage Middle goes to Heritage High.
Are they so short handed at the N&O
Wed, 08/31/2011 - 10:58 — FSandYOUthat this blog had to go almost 2 weeks with no new info added to it? As they say on SNL,
REALLY.
I've basically been doing
Wed, 08/31/2011 - 11:25 — KeungHui (author)I've basically been doing this blog single-handed for the past five years so calm down. Time permitting, I try to write posts in advance to cover the periods when I'm not going to be in the office. That's not always possible.
I was wondering the same
Wed, 08/31/2011 - 10:37 — mnordbergI was wondering the same question why the sudden meetings with short notice with no real new information released. I would like to see a 95-98% final proposal before even getting to the point of commenting. We already know what it is going to look in general; it is the details that matter with the financial impact, how to fill new schools, what the test drive showed for expected % of 1st,2nd,3rd choices per node, transportation per choice per node, etc. I hope they don't go from these "general comment" meetings to a final voted on proposal without more comment.
Smoke and Mirrors
Sun, 09/04/2011 - 09:38 — brighflightThis is ridiculous. I and several others I know have repeatedly asked questions of the board and have received no answer (this is nothing new), such as:
1. You say 90% of families will get their 1st or 2nd choice of schools. Well, exactly how many of that is 1st choice? How many is 2nd?" In some areas there really is no good 2nd choice.
2. Looking at the plans, a single bus stop in a small neighborhood that currently serves 3-4 schools could now serve 10-12 or even more, given the number of choices and magnets. How is this a) cost effective or b) promoting 'neighborhood' schools?
3. How exactly are you determining proximity? As the crow flies? Drive time? Road mapping software? Many of the "closest" schools listed on the board-provided sample plans are grossly in error except perhaps as the crow flies. And of course school buses--and parents--have yet to learn how to fly.
I have no real expectation that the board will address these questions, nor that they will do anything other than precisely what they want to--so these forums (I've been to quite a few) seem little other than a measurement by the board of how many voters take the time to show up.