Here are a couple of the main points from today's facilities committee meeting.
Student parking spaces at new high schools could be cut by 10 percent. It's a modification of the CFAC recommendation for an across-the-board 10 percent cut in spaces at all new schools.
The school board also asked staff today to look at revising the 2009-10 bell schedules. Staff had been set to recommend next week that all existing schools keep their current times with the new elementary schools running from 9:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Board members want staff to explore moving some struggling high schools to the second tier. This would mean an 8 a.m. or possibly 8:30 a.m. start time instead of the standard 7:25 a.m. opening.
They also want to look at moving some struggling elementary schools to the first or second tier. Instead of opening at 9:15 a.m., these schools could open between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
More discussion on both issues is set for the March 24 facilities committee meeting. A vote on the bell schedule is anticipated on March 31.
Any changes on high school parking spaces is way down the road. It may be too late in the planning process for the changes to be made for the new Forest Ridge High in northeast Raleigh.
Comments
For More Mayors, School Takeovers Are a No-Brainer
Thu, 03/12/2009 - 13:52 — AngelaWhttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB123682041297603203.html
OT: Taxpayer Interest for IRS Day in Raleigh
Wed, 03/11/2009 - 13:28 — BlogCopwww.raleighteaparty.com
PERMIT HAS BEEN APPROVED
Thanks for those links
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 22:00 — raleighreaderThanks for those links Louise. Like Bob, I had heard of the studies about teens doing better if they can sleep in. But I hadn't heard of elem age kids doing better earlier in the morning.
I will give the BOE credit for trying something new to help those schools.
Just my opinion
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 20:47 — louiselee44Over a week ago, I expressed my personal thanks to school board members for re-thinking bell schedules. My research and comments on that subject really date me!!
As with almost every issue, there are pros and cons on both sides. I do have a couple of studies on teenage sleep and academic performance, etc. that I will share in case anyone is interested.
Almost as far back as I can remember I have heard that younger students generally perform better earlier in the morning, and older students later. Evidence to that effect is compelling, and as a former teacher, I found that to be the case in my classrooms. Lots of teachers will agree with that premise.
Just to make it clear, my comments are only that - comments. I know the arguments for and against, and most are legit. I'm just giving my opinion.
Here are links to the articles I mentioned:
http://library.thinkquest.org/25553/english/well/ages/teen/hspro.shtml
http://www.newsweek.com/id/60154/output/print
wonder why Chuck Dulaney is
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 19:13 — AngelaWwonder why Chuck Dulaney is the guest speaker at a PTSA meeting @ a school being forced MYR despite no growth??? and with very little warning that he would be coming; a 3pm phone call and a 5:30 yahoo message....trying to avoid a crowd?
Just a guess
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 19:27 — SideburnsMaybe he's showing off his new haircut?
It Actually Looks OK
Wed, 03/11/2009 - 00:45 — Lisa_BI knew I should have asked Chuck to pose for a picture tonight. I only had my phone, but it would have worked. His hair didn't look bad, and considering the GREAT cause I have to respect what he did.
As far as the meeting and what he had to say, nothing new came out. HOWEVER, something that still amazes me is that Chuck admitted that the conversion is being forced NOW when the additional capacity will not be needed for at least 5 years. INSANE.
Basically, in 5 years we will have the need for at least 4 additional middle schools in Wake County to handle the growth, and we currently only plan to build 3 by that time. When I questioned him about the land on Leesville Road, he confirmed that school was not 1 of the 3 planned for since they had not had funding approved. (even though WCPSS already owns the land) When I asked him if it was possible to have another 1 or 2 schools added between now and 2014 he agreed that YES, it is very possible.
Anyway, Chuck's talk was pretty standard, and when I asked our PTA President why we were not given notice of Chuck's visit until today, her response led me to believe that it was an innocent mistake and it was NOT intentional to spring it on us at the last minute.
BUT, the good news is, after listening to Chuck's presentation, the numbers still do NOT support forcing LRMS to convert to YR and they also do not support continuing to operate LES on the YR calendar either, so I am putting my faith in the School Board to really study the numbers and make the right decision SOON.
Now, I think I'm way off topic, but just to finish Chuck's visit to LRMS, someone brought up a GREAT suggestion. Since Sycamore Creek ES has 475 open seats, and 3 years from now they're still projecting 400 open seats, someone suggested having K-6 at Sycamore Creek (adding four 4-class middle school teams to utilize that space and then you'd be offering YR 6th grade for the Sycamore Creek families and anyone else who wants YR 6th grade) I thought that was a GREAT idea, but maybe it makes TOO MUCH SENSE???
thanks Lisa, for the
Wed, 03/11/2009 - 08:09 — AngelaWthanks Lisa, for the update...with the last minute notice, too many people were unable to attend!
I too hope the BoE makes the right decisions and that Sycamore Creek idea make total sense! which is why, I am guessing they won't do a darn thing with it.
you are so right!!
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 19:30 — AngelaWAND you owe me a keyboard, I just spewed my soda!!!!!
Any takers?
Wed, 03/11/2009 - 09:07 — g88ky07Raise your hand if they are reassigning kids out of your current MYR school, but are NOT going to replace those kids???
Leaving you with collapsed tracks, under capacity and ultimately selective or forced track changes???
Any takers??? I guess not, I guess this is ONLY taking place in my clueless cul-de-sac.
Loss of Staff and Specials Too
Wed, 03/11/2009 - 12:18 — Lisa_BWhat is the rationale provided by Chuck in his "3 year plan". Hilburn has been stripped and in the 3 year plan they have NO RELIEF coming during the next 3 years either.
Sadly, you'll be faced with losing teachers, TAs, and quite possibly specialists too.
I do think the truth is coming out, but when I KNOW the facts support our mission and nothing is being done, it seems WAY TOO SLOW for me.
why do they want to move
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 17:28 — raleighreaderwhy do they want to move 'struggling' schools to a different tier?
A recent study
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 17:50 — Bob_SconceSome recent study showed that teenagers don't get enough sleep and would perform better if they got up later.
If only it were this easy -- why not just start school at noon?
see, they were probably over-tired and grouchy!
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 19:58 — AngelaW(well there go those expulsion numbers, I hope!)
http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/4708750/
aleigh, N.C. — Raleigh police arrested four students at the Leesville Road Senior High School Tuesday morning, police spokesman Jim Sughrue said.
Terrell Deonte Outlaw, 17, of 2941-206 Millbrook Woods Drive, Ke’arn Anquay Bell, 17, of 4309-C Bayliner Drive, Taron Devionte Mills, 18, of 6903 Lynn Townes Court, and William Jacoby Singletary, 18, of 6840 Madison Ridge Way, were each charged with misdemeanor assault.
Mills, who was on probation for disorderly conduct and communicating threats, faces an additional charge for violating his probation.
The four were involved in a fight on campus. The four were taken to Wake County jail and held on $1,000 bail each. Mills has an additional $50,000 bond for the probation violation.
I thought you were linking
Wed, 03/11/2009 - 12:22 — user1234I thought you were linking Bob's comment on lack of teenage sleep causing these fight at first ...