Tonight's community engagement meeting at Panther Creek High School could be even larger than the one held Tuesday at Leesville Road High.
Wake County school administrators say 90 people registered online to speak at tonight's meeting on school calendars. With walk-ins, there could be more than 100 speakers tonight.
The school board isn't planning right now on splitting up the speakers into two groups. School board chairman Ron Margiotta told the crowd at Tuesday's meeting that it would be unfair for people not to be able to speak to the whole board.
The hearing, which starts at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium, is now likely to go well past the scheduled 9 p.m. end time.
You can expect Margiotta to again urge people to not speak if their points have already been covered by a prior speaker.
Administrators are supposed to quickly process the feedback from tonight's hearing into the recommendations for calendar conversions that they'll make to the board on Tuesday.
Comments
This meeting was a farce; it
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 11:27 — jeannie84This meeting was a farce; it was supposed to be about calendar, yet Margiotta cut off several speakers who wanted to comment about CALENDAR; instead he let the Brier Creek residents complain about being assigned to Broughton until they'd all vented their spleens; he also didn't let anyone talk about the diversity policy -- although that was fair game at the Leesville meeting; he finally relented and let those he so rudely stopped speak at the end of the meeting, after the Brier Creek folks had left.
Mr. Hui, were you there? I am shocked that you haven't reported about this obvious reversal on the purpose (calendar) of these CEMs.
So much for "listening" to the community, BOE majority. You're clearly only interested in hearing from your supporters -- no one else!
I wasn't at Thursday's
Sun, 02/28/2010 - 23:10 — KeungHui (author)I wasn't at Thursday's meeting. One of my colleagues from the Cary News was ther. Due to the lateness of the hour and space reasons, the story wound up running online Friday instead of in the paper. I'm not going to be at every meeting, especially ones when no decisions will be made.
Isn't there a planned middle
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 21:47 — Gr8SchoolsIsn't there a planned middle and high school at Brier Creek like the Leesville campus?
Yes, Mr. Hui has at times
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 16:15 — carson79Yes, Mr. Hui has at times seemed blatantly biased to me as well. You are not the only one who has noticed this and while I've been told he doesn't have to be impartial since it's a blog, he writes the articles too and that worries me.
Once again, will all the
Sun, 02/28/2010 - 23:09 — KeungHui (author)Once again, will all the people who are convinced I'm biased against the new school board majority please note posts such as this. I'm not sure how you're getting the idea I'm being biased on the blog. Am I biased when I run the Chris Fitzsimon posts? Or is it only when I run the Locke Foundation items?
Hmm...
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 13:19 — Bob_SconceWasn't it about student assignment and calendar? You can't realistically talk about one without talking about the other.
Why are you lying?
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 13:11 — woodstockWhy are you lying? Your characterisation of the meeting at Panther Creek is a complete fabrication.
btw, do you agree Brier Creek students should be reassigned from Panther Creek (7 miles away) to Broughton (17+ miles away). If so, why? If not, why shouldn't people be oppsed to it?
Also, where does all your hatred come from?
Is Panther Creek currently
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 18:21 — changewcpssIs Panther Creek currently the high school for all of the Brier Creek children?
No, only for some it is.
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 18:51 — woodstockNo, only for some it is. Possibly it is for most of the Brier Creek students, but I am not sure of that. In the original 3-year plan is was to be Leesville...which is the closest high school.
I don't think their is any
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 13:24 — user12345I don't think their is any room for BC kids at PC ... it is near capacity .... with more kids coming ....Leesville is probably a better choice.
Sure, there is room. Brier
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 19:55 — woodstockSure, there is room. Brier Creek kids go there now. It is not a problem.
Shouldn't kids in the
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 20:09 — user12345Shouldn't kids in the surrounding neighborhoods fill up PC first before busing in kids from BC?
Which is exactly the case at
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 21:54 — loriacWhich is exactly the case at Leesville. The first reassignment plan had Brier Creek and Leesville and everyone else pushed east. Big uproar.
Brier Creek needs schools - this is a designated high growth corridor in the Raleigh master plan, yet there are no schools planned there. Until there are, they will be bused far and wide.
Some are looking at the
Sat, 02/27/2010 - 09:19 — shank56Some are looking at the Leesville schools assignments as a model of what we should expect ITB too. "We were here first , and have been for 30, 40, 50+ years." Outside of calendar, the Leesville schools have been well protected from major shifts due to new school openings.
BTW: Brier Creek to Broughton, then to Leesville, then to Panther Creek, now slated for Broughton again?
Is It True That A Major Developer Would Have Helped....
Sat, 02/27/2010 - 14:39 — JanisTangoIs it true that one of the developers of Brier Creek was going to give the land and build the needed schools at cost in Brier Creek for ES, MS, and HS, but WCPSS turned them down. I heard he wanted to stipulate that the Brier Creek kids be guaranteed that assignment and the BOE said no.
Is this just an uban legend or does anyone know?
When Glen Lang was mayor of
Sat, 02/27/2010 - 15:01 — ApexterWhen Glen Lang was mayor of Cary, I believe developers were required to provide either land setasides for schools or an equivalent amount of money.
I remember a developer offering to build a school (I think it was to be in the West Park area), but they were turned down because they wanted a promise that kids in their development would be assigned there.
Cary was donating the development fees to schools that Cary students attended, but WCPSS forbade them to do so, as they didn't want Cary schools to get any extra funding. There has apparently never been an issue with Lacy or Broughton receiving money from their foundations, however.
not sure if it was Brier
Sat, 02/27/2010 - 14:51 — AngelaWnot sure if it was Brier Creek (area) but yup I've heard the rest of that too....land and schools built but because they wanted kids from that area to go there the BoE (think was under Rosa's watch) turned it down.
I believe that was Cary Park
Sun, 02/28/2010 - 16:36 — DrActualFactualI believe that was Cary Park area. Many years back I think the developer was going to donate the land and $6 mil to help build the school (ES I think) but wanted the board to let at least 50 or 60% of the subd. to attend. (Which IMO is pretty fair because they could have populated the other 40% with F&R if they wanted to) anyway, the old BOE didn't want anyone to dictate how schools should be populated. There was a gentleman that offered to donate approx. 20 acres up by Green Hope which they also turned down, (probably many more deals like this have been passed on for all we know).
Your are Correct
Sun, 02/28/2010 - 17:31 — local23There have been many developers out in the Western/Northern Wake County area that have offered land, building the school, compromises, etc. in exchange for having the surrounding neighborhood(s) i.e. 400 seats, attend that school, but for last 13 years WCPSS has turned down everyone of those offers..they keep talking about money and many have offered to help this school system..but they have turned their noses to them..this really makes me think this school system is just too big and time to turn to smaller districts..sigh..
It is always best to run the
Sun, 02/28/2010 - 18:30 — user12345It is always best to run the numbers ... developer are not into charity ... many times, you will find they want to donate the left over land that is hard to build on .... or they want to donate say $5M of land to build a $20M school that will allow him to charge more for the house and earn a profit. Nothing wrong with a profit but if the system does not need a new school in that development even a $5M savings may not be worth it to put a $20M in the wrong place.
Yup...
Sat, 02/27/2010 - 10:44 — Bob_SconceBrier Creek is an example of poor planing by the district about 8 years ago. At the time, there was plenty of land for new schools in the area. Now, not so much. It's in a difficult location, bounded by RTP, the Airport/Umstead and the County line.
"the Leesville schools have
Sat, 02/27/2010 - 09:25 — AngelaW"the Leesville schools have been well protected from major shifts due to new school openings"
due to location, location, location.....AND poor planning on where to build new schools.
in the "burbs" there is only so far one can bus too.
look at other schools closer to Falls Lake and you will see the same thing.
M8
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 22:15 — local23Site has been identified according the WCPSS Maps for 2012..but I can't seem to really find anything past 2012..which is really weird because that is only 2 years from now
I know they have been banking some land..but not sure where all of the areas are at.
there's land off of
Sat, 02/27/2010 - 14:54 — AngelaWthere's land off of Leesville, behind a CVS right off of 540 that is bought. It's been designated for a "smaller" MS, but no funds are "available" to build the school now.
plus I think there was a recent purchase of land off of Strickland for an ES which would be stupid as we don't need another ES that close to Baileywick, LES or Sycamore.
Actually...
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 15:04 — local23There are numerous students going back to Cary High..also remember there is another HS - H7 slated in the next 4 years to be built out here (between Green Level to Church Rd and Hwy 55) - I think it will be on Mill Rd.
"There are numerous students
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 19:24 — user12345"There are numerous students going back to Cary High..also remember there is another HS - H7 slated in the next 4 years to be built out here (between Green Level to Church Rd and Hwy 55) - I think it will be on Mill Rd."
I thought they were talking this or next year ... yes in four years after the new school opens there will be some more room in WW .. in the meantime, we don't need anymore kids coming this way.
Not sure what you mean?
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 21:43 — local23Not sure what you mean? 'in the meantime, we don't need anymore kids coming this way'
Please look at the nodes that are feeding into Panther Creek - many will not be there next year.
Why would parents want to be sent 17.1 miles to their HS...they understands that until a school is built in the area, then the next closest school that has the capacity for them, plus they attend PC already..should stay there.
nice try
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 13:54 — loriacNice try, User, at fanning the flames. You are soooo predictable.
Did We Go To The Same Leesville Meeting?
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 11:50 — JanisTangohe also didn't let anyone talk about the diversity policy -- although that was fair game at the Leesville meeting;
I don't recall many discussions relating to diversity. I do recall one person talking about it and Ron told them to come to a regular board meeting because that was not the topic at hand.
I totally disagree
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 11:49 — local23I was there from start to finish..the Brier Creek Parents did comment on their reassignment to Broughton from Panther Creek, but also about about the Calendar choice of Mills Park and to be TR!
These meetings were about the CALENDAR and choices for those schools to include reassignment - not about POLICY of diversity- Ron did a great job of explaning this about 20 times and made accomodations to let those speak at the end (after Calendar was talked about)..he also said those policy meetings are done during the public portion when they meet downtown!
I am not sure what you mean about the reversal of the calendar CEMs??????
They not only listened to all people present, they made a multitude of accomodations and guess what we are the supporters -we voted them in!!!
What are you shocked about?
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 11:48 — g88ky07he hasn't covered any of the meeting(s) aftermath.
just read the story in
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 11:51 — jeannie84just read the story in today's paper; obviously, he wasn't there
Do you believe
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 11:53 — local23everything you read in the paper?
It's always slanted one side to the other - that's why they sell NEWS!
Is the meeting being
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 18:05 — red_balloonIs the meeting being broadcast?
Mr Hui
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 18:05 — choice4allwill they be streamlining on the internet like the one for Leesville?
Unknown but I haven't found
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 18:45 — KeungHui (author)Unknown but I haven't found it on WRAL's web site.
Ch14
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 22:38 — local23was there and saw some camera action - mostly when some speakers tried to bring up the diversity issue - but Ron nipped that one and reminded them that this forum meeting were about the calendar year talks, not their agenda..he said if time permits as the end they can then speak to the board..very accomodating.
There was a very large crowd there and most all were in support for stopping the reassignment, bring stablity - even thou they know there probably will be some reassignments to get the house in order again - community schools, stop the busing, capacity is not the issue, most wanted TR, and some YR.
Mills Park had a great turn out for TR, Carpenter Village want out of East Cary and closer to home, i.e. Mills Park, Salem want TR, Alston Ridge wants TR, Brier Creek just wants to be left at Panther Creek and MS be Mills Park, some spot nodes spoke up - those were great comments.......and some speakers held Goldman to honor her campaign and her constinuents.. the board did make allot of notes about nodes - so we all really believe they are listening..we shall see.
I think this is allot better than in years past!
A Board that listens, takes notes, and is responsive.
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 10:39 — BWNelsonI think this is what most people voting for change really wanted- a board that listens, takes notes, and tries to rectify problems in the most reasonable way.
The present board was right to do away with the Wednesday early release, and now if they can help the people unhappy with their assignments, again in a reasonable and responsive way, the board will have done a good job. Also, the concept of a neighborhood-based system that includes magnets, like Mr. Tedesco envisions, should be considered and a trial system set up. This type of hybrid sounds interesting and if we can see less money spent on bussing kids all over the place, that money could be funneled into better academic programs. Also, if Mr. Tedesco wants to persue a tax increase to offset part of the costs of establishing a trial neighborhood-based system, I'm sure many of us voters would be supportive of that. Tax money spent on improving education is money well spent for the area.
If the board goes beyond this and continues to attack "diversity", risking the label of being "rascist/resegregationist", then they may find it very difficult to keep their majority. It is unreasonable to bring a wrecking ball through an award winning school system when some surgical tweaking would solve many of the frustrations parents/voters have.
Debra Goldman was right to not second Chris Malone's motion. I hope she continues to exercise such good judgment. If not, the voters who elected her will let her know.
Unfortunately, not all of
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 11:03 — user12345"Carpenter Village want out of East Cary and closer to home, i.e. Mills Park, Salem want TR, Alston Ridge wants TR, Brier Creek just wants to be left at Panther Creek and MS be Mills Park, some spot nodes spoke up ...."
Unfortunately, not all of these folks can fit in these schools.
Not True!
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 11:16 — local23If the board and GM re-do the community school neighborhoods nodes along with Mills Park will only be around 950 (capacity on TR is 1275) then there is PLENTY of room!
Carpenter only has 73 kids (last I looked) and please remember..there are waves and ebbes in demographics and guess what - there is not much left to build out here--heck the Durham/Chatham borders are less than 1 - 2 miles away--there are many areas that will never be built out here because of the 540 and expansion roads, wetlands, ponds, etc. Also Del Web is a huge community and I mean huge - so no kids coming in the future from there.
Hmm....
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 11:22 — supportwcpssAbout a year ago when I looked at the numbers, there were over 4000 new homes still planned for west of 55 and north of Morrisville Carpenter.
Obvously the economy has slowed that down but don't say there isn't room. Wait until Cary annexes Durham ;-).
Thanks for the update. Sound
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 07:31 — changewcpssThanks for the update. Sound par for the course. The difference will be whether the board is just listening or listening and actually hearing what is said and then taking appropriate action.
Agreed...
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 22:49 — Bob_SconceI was at one of these things at Wakefield HS a few years back, and Chuck Dulaney (I believe) was downright beligerant toward people who spoke against busing even more kids into Wakefield ES.
Funny
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 22:56 — local23you bring that up, because some speakers had long memories of Chuck and group and were not afraid to say it.
Del looked like mannican..I assume he was just listening very hard.
Those memories are
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 07:32 — changewcpssThose memories are nightmares. Was C Dulaney even present last night or can we rest assured that he is packing his office and leaving as promised?
No he was not there
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 11:18 — local23I just love how WRAL wrote in their article how there was an interest in TR..ROFL!!
Over 100 people spoke and trust me over 85% want TR!
I hope it all goes well for
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 16:32 — changewcpssI hope it all goes well for the families.
I'm not surprised there are
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 15:35 — DrActualFactualI'm not surprised there are 90 speakers. Will Mill's Park MS open up as YR or Traditional? It will feed into Panther Creek HS. The recent survey indicated that 55% of respondents from Salem MS YR want it to go Traditional--some of those nodes feed into Panther Creek HS, Apex HS, Cary HS and Green Hope HS. The three-year reassignment plan calls for moving many of the northern nodes from Salem MS into Mills Park MS. The plan also designated pulling many nodes out of PCHS (nodes near the airport) to send to Broughton HS that is phasing out its magnet program right? Looks like a lot to be discussed.
The crystal ball says...........
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 16:02 — g88ky07Mills Park, Holly Grove and the other one, I can't recall, will all open as the previous board and the 2 quitters intended for them to, as YR.
As for tonight, good luck folks. The crystal ball says 48 will speak in support of traditional, 41 in support of year round and 1 will call the board racists!
1 will call the board
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 16:53 — jenman1 will call the board racists!
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Oh good Lord, it will be way more than 1! :-)