Not funding CIS

DrActualFactual,

I don't know much about how CIS works, but I was at a WEP roundtable on diversity once with a CIS volunteer tutor. She mentioned that some of the kids she tutored don't get to the school until 5pm (or something like that) because of how far away they are bused. It sounded like maybe she tutored at a downtown school and some of the kids attended a 'suburban' school. So maybe CIS tutors are available to the low income kids who are bused out of downtown--just not at the school they are bused to.

I wonder how that works. Do they walk to a school near where they live? Maybe the bus drops them off at the participating school? Maybe the tutors go to the Boys & Girls Club or other after school center? Does anybody (Keung?) have any info?

The school system depends on over $472,000 in state money for at-risk students to fund the program, providing volunteer coordinators and some staff. WCPSS Assistant Superintendent Marvin Connelly, who oversees support services, said the positions could be reinstated if state funding is not cut.

"Once the state approves this budget, we will prioritize what services we are to provide students out of this budget," said Connelly.

Connelly said all of the CIS coordinators are licensed in other roles, either as classroom teachers, social workers or counselors. Many do double-duty in schools, but receive compensation. Without funding, the responsibility for coordination will fall to school staff.

hmmm... we have a current parent VOLUNTEER program, (which I myelf do once a week), for children in the mornings, and as I mentioned our PTA is testing a pilot program for after school with VOLUNTEERS with identified at-risk students, with the PTA footing the bill for the bus..... why do they need staffing and such for this at those schools?

http://wake.mync.com/site/wake/news/story/29823/wake-board-continues-budget-scrutiny-student-programs-a-concern

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When: Thursday, March 26, 4 p.m., Eastern time.
Free registration is now open at: http://edweek.org/go/profDev

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Regis A. Shields, director of Education Resource Strategies

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Keung, I saw Principal Jan Hargrove of Turner Creek Elem. and another woman on tv seeking volunteers and describing a summer program that they plan to hold at Apex Community Center to tutor struggling students. Turner Creek is a YR school which I thought was supposed to provide remediation at the school (this was part of what was touted for MYR--better academic retention and ability to remediate on-site.) Is this principal helping to setup a community program for traditional schools like Apex Elem. and Baucum or is this off-site remediation for Turner Creek only? I guess my question is what is the plan for remediation of elementary students MYR or traditional off-site or on-site? Hats off to the Mayor of Apex because the tv interview noted that he donated the use of the facility! I think with the budget crunch we may see more churches and other facilities jumping in to help out students.

Commissioner Norwalk? Dance Time!
Today, March 17, 2009, 5 minutes ago | (Venita Peyton)
Back during the fall 2008 Wake County commissioner debates, Mr. Stan (Norwalk), running against incumbent Ken Gardner indicated, that one of his main reasons for running was to bring some common sense and clarity to the Wake County budget process.

Specifically, the Wake County school budget.

Well, is your dance card full?

Because the real decisions are about to begin. It’s either fire many teachers, assistant principals and support staff, to maintain the antiquated diverity policy. Or, save more people and possibly enhance student learning by modifying it.

If the school system has enough money to keep running to court to overturn a parent’s right to be included in year round school decisions, surely, you can talk with Judge Howard Manning for his opinion.

At least, you'll have brakes before the oncoming collision.

Because now, not only are the parents fired up. The parents are about to be joined by hundreds (if not thousands) of teachers, principals and others who stand to lose their job.

Remember, dear Mr. Stan, how I warned the hundreds in attendance at the Triangle Community Coalition? And the 50 or so in West Raleigh? The economy is a strange animal, isn’t.

Of necessity, one matter to be settled is who will provide school security. If Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison has to reduce his budget further, it will mean taking the deputies out of the middle and high schools. Same with the Raleigh Police Department. They will no longer be willing to have sworn officers spend hours, if not a full day, policing the halls, chasing children who refuse to adhere to discipline.

In fact, law enforcement will be trying to maintain order on the street, as state employees learn their fate. Same, if any jails or prisons are closed. You think these folks will bow their heads and walk away without confrontation?

One thing I love about challenging times like this is when we see elected officials who don't have a clue on how to handle distress. When they’re in the hot seat and there’s no lobbyist or party official to tell them what to do. When they must absolutely depend or staff.

Or, my gosh. Actually have to think.

So, what’s it going to be? Munch a little crow and redistribute the thousands of children and their addresses to make all bus rides shorter (and nonexistent in some neighborhoods)? No one will say, “I told you so”, because by and large, all citizens who have criticized decisions by school staff and board members, still want what’s best for every single child.

Or you can stand by and deal with the impending fallout.

It's up to you. After all, it is your dance card.

The WCPSS office of growth management has a budget of $1.2M, including a staff of four secretaries for a handful of executives. Given growth projections have gone from 6,000 in recent years to 2,000 for next year, people are going to wonder why we are not scaling back team Dulaney. The answer is that these executives have been given FOUR YEAR contracts by Del Burns. Valuable teachers are given one-year contracts, but the execs get four. And Del has been getting his pay increases. We should be rightfully be railing at the AIG exec bonuses, but at the same "executive entitlement" is going on right here in our own school system.

Opponents of neighborhood schools have spread doubt and uncertainty about whether the additional resources for higher-F&R schools would be retained, and they seem very eager to make their point ... at the expense of children. Deplorable.