One of the variables for next school year is whether there will be a big increase in the number of year-round and traditional-calendar applicants in Wake County.
As noted in today's article, staff plans to approve all calendar applications filed next month except in those rare cases when a special education requirement would be an issue. While the percentage of approvals will go up, Asst. Supt. Chuck Dulaney said they're not expecting much of an increase in total applicants.
In the case of traditional-calendar applicants, the reason why they might not increase much could be a source of anger for some parents.
Dulaney said he's not recommending any changes for next school year in the traditional-calendar options that had been used for this school year.
Some parents had hoped that there would be significant change because the resolution adopted last week says "every effort" will be made to provide a year-round or traditional option "at a school within proximity of their residence."
Parents have complained for years that Wake doesn't provide convenient traditional-calendar options for families. For instance, students who live in the Hedingham subdivision in North Raleigh who don't want to attend River Bend Elementary have Rolesville Elementary as their traditional-calendar option.
While some parents and even school board members may urge Dulaney to make changes in the traditional-calendar options, time is the problem.
The next board meeting is Feb. 2 and the calendar application period begins Feb. 8. Staff would want approval of any changes before Feb. 8 so, barring something odd like a special meeting or a vote on Feb. 2 with little time for public input, options will likely remain unchanged.
In terms of crowding, administrators are hoping to avoid a spike in the number of requests. But families who've unsuccessfully tried to get into year-round schools in recent years may try again, which could sharply increase applications.
That's a concern raised by Janny Flynt, a Fox Road Elementary parent who had spoken out against the changes at last week's board meeting. She's worried about an exodus of active PTA parents from schools like Fox Road over to year-round schools.
Comments
calendar conversions?
Tue, 01/26/2010 - 17:00 — cgnolteWhich schools, if any, are converting from YR to traditional for 2010-2011? Has that been decided, and if so, is there a list posted somewhere?
It's difficult to decide whether to apply for a calendar option if you don't know what your base school's calendar is going to be, or which school you would be sent to instead.
Not sure there is a list now
Tue, 01/26/2010 - 17:36 — changewcpssNot sure there is a list now but hearsay. Perhaps the Leesville and Wakefield folks can chime in with the application schools to be used after their conversions. What school do you attend?
Not a peep...
Tue, 01/26/2010 - 18:23 — Bob_SconceI'm at Wakefield, and haven't heard a peep.
What I don't understand is
Mon, 01/25/2010 - 15:18 — jenmanWhat I don't understand is why Chuck had to insert the 'nobody will get denied acceptance to a year round even if it means overcrowded schools'. Well, I know why Chuck did it but the BOE doesn't have to accept that.
Even though I personally wanted yr for my kids 3 years ago and was denied, I don't have a problem with there only being a certain number of seats available in the year round schools. As long as some people aren't being denied YR solely because of SES concerns, which is what has been happening in my area. I think its more crucial that we offer a traditional seat to everybody who wants one than it is to offer a year round seat to everybody who wants one. That's the ideal, mind you, but the reality is that forcing somebody onto a year round schedule is more disruptive than denying somebody a year round schedule.
I hope BoE does not reverse
Mon, 01/25/2010 - 18:02 — NWRaleighMomI hope BoE does not reverse that. Ironically, Chuck's decision might be the only good news for my family in a long time. I was hoping for a fair shot in a magnet 'lottery' but it seems it is not going to happen.
that is true. I had not
Tue, 01/26/2010 - 21:10 — jenmanthat is true. I had not thought of it that way. Good luck to you in this year's 'lottery'. :-)
...
Mon, 01/25/2010 - 15:33 — SideburnsI agree jenman. I was confused by this as well. When I read the resolution, I read "YR applicants will no longer be denied based on SES". I did not read "We will accept everyone and ignore crowding". I think this as well as not making tradt'l options more viable are just Chuck's parting gifts to the parents of Wake County.
This is more of the same double-talk
Mon, 01/25/2010 - 16:21 — stacy123I know I said I was going away so they had 400 kids to re-assign at the last meeting to supposedly make way for "projected" year round growth at certain year round schools. even though their last "projected" assignment plan was supposedly for 3 years.
So much for "every effort" to accommodate a traditional calendar close to home.
What a joke.
no change in traditional options
Mon, 01/25/2010 - 14:19 — tc_apexI simply do not understand why changes are not being made to allow for closer traditional options, especially in hard hit areas like Apex. Baucom converted back to traditional this year and Green Hope ES is scheduled to convert back to traditional for the 2010-11 school year. So, at least some people should be able to attend a traditional school closer to their home.
Chuck Dulaney needs to "REASSIGNED" to another position until his retirement.
Totally Agree
Tue, 01/26/2010 - 22:31 — local23Carpenter ES (MYR 2006) TR option is Ready Creek--what a haul - why not Davis or West Cary or gosh it would make so much sense to have Mills Park (scheduled to open as a MYR this summer) be a TR MS instead and allow the feed pattern all of the ES schools in this 3-5 mile radius to a TR Middle School. If parents want MS YRis, then the established Salem or East Cary YR could be used. I thought East Cary was going to be an IB school?
This entire area has desperately needed a TR MS for over 10 years and many of us who have watched the fiasco over the years were so mad when GM & BOE made this new MS MYR
I was thinking they would
Tue, 01/26/2010 - 23:16 — user12345I was thinking they would make the fastest growing areas like Mills Park, Salem YR to pack as many kids in as possible and make the old stable areas like Davis and Reedy Creek TR. I find a lot of people don't mind having East Cary / Adams be YR since they travel that way to get to work anyway.
Maybe
Wed, 01/27/2010 - 23:07 — local23For those of who live in this western/northern part of Cary and work in the RTP - going clear across Cary is just not working..we still need a MS TR out here, especially since Green Hope HS and Panther Creek HS are our feeder HS's. Reedy Creek and East Cary go to Cary HS. There is also another HS scheduled to open next to the Toll Brother Dev - Mills Road in about 4 years. So that will be right at the edge of western Cary to Apex.
Same Old - Same Old
Mon, 01/25/2010 - 13:02 — stacy123I guess it does not matter who you elect; results will be the same. Not surprising tho. Happens at every form and level of government.
I know this be favorably received by some that but I am no longer going to be reading or blogging (not to mention wasting my time writing the WCPSS Board.)
What a useless democracy we live in! Federal govt. has a huge legislative majority and can not get anything passed. This Board can not even priovide a reasonable choice for parents by looking at some spreadhseets. This could have been by 12/15 with choices being closer to the homes, and calendars that are workable.
Good luck to all.
So NO EFFORT was made to
Mon, 01/25/2010 - 12:04 — DrActualFactualSo NO EFFORT was made to change any of the traditional calendar school options. And people had the audacity to say that Dulaney would be someone who would hinder progress for the board and would block parents efforts toward change. Chuck may have found and/or created another tipping point.
So...
Mon, 01/25/2010 - 12:36 — Bob_SconceIn general, I think that the board is moving too fast on dropping MYR. BUT, it's Dulaney's JOB to do his best to implement board policies. And, he's not doing it here -- there are clearly some changes that could be made to give parents more proximate traditional calendar options.
We usually agree, but on
Mon, 01/25/2010 - 13:01 — DrActualFactualWe usually agree, but on this I think they are moving too slow in converting schools. Those schools, staff, parents need to know that they will be converted back for cost saving reasons that will come back to enhance classrooms and programs. The earlier the notice, the better you can plan. Dulaney has always delivered his presentations with "here's YOUR BOE" plan, it is under your direction that I have followed these guidelines and here are your options. In fact, he has always presented a clear-cut view of things which is good. Unfortunately, the guidelines the previous board had given him had no ranking so he could use his judgement as he saw fit--too much latitude in operation IMO. Could he argue that he has met the "proximate" definition by changing nothing? I have a feeling the board will be hearing a record number of transfers if he does nothing.
Well...
Mon, 01/25/2010 - 13:10 — Bob_SconceToo slow or too fast, this will be an interesting lesson for the new board about giving leeway to the administration.
I am slowly becoming more convinced that the top administrators need to go. You can't have an administration undermine the board's goals like that.
Yes, top administrators need
Mon, 01/25/2010 - 13:28 — NWRaleighMomYes, top administrators need to go. Unfortunately, with Goldman joining the Dark Side, they will stay. I hope I am wrong.
Dark side?
Tue, 01/26/2010 - 20:21 — raleighlauraThat's a little harsh.
I do not think so
Mon, 01/25/2010 - 13:06 — stacy123as the traditional calendar choices for most people are cross county and do no work for most parents I disagree they will get more or less the same as last year not a record by any stretch. My understanding is people who opted into the traditional option have to do it each year so they'll have a similar amount as last year is my bet.
I'm hoping the board will
Mon, 01/25/2010 - 13:15 — DrActualFactualI'm hoping the board will intervene and make GM change options to "proximate" schools but if the application timeframe is missed then all those changes would have to be addressed via transfer process. I am still hopeful that they will deliver on CHOICE this year. If BOE alters course, then you are likely correct in the number of transfer apps. being more consistent.
So..
Mon, 01/25/2010 - 08:54 — Bob_SconceBasically, Janny Flynt wants to force families to stay at her school even if the district offers an alternative those families believe will be better for them.
News flash Janny: what those so-called "active PTA parents" decide to do with their time belongs to THEM, not to you or to the district. You have no right to the benefit of their efforts.
News flash Janny: what those
Mon, 01/25/2010 - 15:13 — jenmanNews flash Janny: what those so-called "active PTA parents" decide to
do with their time belongs to THEM, not to you or to the district. You
have no right to the benefit of their efforts.
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I agree with this Bob. It isn't just Fox Road parents who are opposing removing SES as a factor in YR and Magnet acceptances. Other rim schools are also fighting to keep their base families from leaving. I understand their concerns, but EVERYbody in this system should have equal access to the school of their choice.
This is a popular debate-
Tue, 01/26/2010 - 20:29 — raleighlauraI exchanged tense words with another PTA mom last winter at a meeting at York on this very subject. She said the solution to our under-enrollment problem is for WCPSS to not allow any more York base students to join magnet programs. That's shutting the barn door after the horses have fled! And why not aim for ATTRACTING people rather than imprisioning them?
Unfortuantely, WCPSS listened to this parent, and less than 10% of our magnet applications (from York) we accepted last year. I don't think the BOE is going to take up equitable distribtion of magnet seats now, and I'm just sick about it. We all deserve the same chance at a seat, and because I live where I do, my child and others from York are being denied a fair shot.
This is similar to a certain
Tue, 01/26/2010 - 23:42 — loriacThis is similar to a certain neighborhood lobbying to keep WV at Jeffrey's Grove ES because they needed our involvement, numbers etc. Well - now due to the 'logical progression' logic, we are sent to West Millbrook MS (used to be a Leesville Road MS).
We are a Leesville neighborhood - so now do we apply for YR there to get accepted, or are they going back to traditional? Do we have a shot at going back to LRMS?
I refused to be forced and opted out - thumbed my nose at Chuck and crowd - you can't keep people imprisoned. Many people in our neighborhood did the same. The first step is to get people back to their neighborhood schools.
Yep, there is at least one
Tue, 01/26/2010 - 21:08 — jenmanYep, there is at least one Stough parent who is actively trying to keep the current discriminatory 'lottery' in place. I understand their concerns--they don't want to lose any more active parents. But I cannot condone denying somebody's child a fair chance at a magnet seat. This is academic opportunity we are talking about, not which school has the most money to buy Prometheus boards or new playground equipment.
Getting into a magnet school in K is the key to getting into a magnet in middle school and high school. Particularly the AG/GT programs leading to Enloe. How any parent can actively fight to keep another student from having academic opportunities is beyond me.
Getting into a magnet school
Tue, 01/26/2010 - 23:44 — NWRaleighMomGetting into a magnet school in K is the key to getting into a magnet in middle school and high school. Particularly the AG/GT programs leading to Enloe. How any parent can actively fight to keep another student from having academic opportunities is beyond me.
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Jenman, it should not be that way. We must use results of aptitude/achievement tests to admit students to Ligon and Enloe.
Wow..
Wed, 01/27/2010 - 07:27 — Bob_SconceOy. You think ending the diversity policy is hard? Try taking away what many magnet families take to be their birthright.
This is exactly why they
Wed, 01/27/2010 - 09:53 — NWRaleighMomThis is exactly why they cling to the diversity policy. It allows them to have their birth right.
I haven't heard of a single magnet system in this country which does not guarantee access to their brightest students. We should either discontinue the magnet system or guarantee access to the kids who need it the most.
And...
Mon, 01/25/2010 - 15:20 — Bob_SconceAnd, as a practical matter, abusing parents like that is self-defeating over the long term. What sort of incentives do you create when you try to limit the ability of involved parents to access district programs? They'll either leave the district altogether or just stop being involved at school and find other ways to benefit their kids' education.