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WakeEd
The WakeEd blog is devoted to discussing and answering questions about the major issues facing the Wake County school system as it prepares to undergo historic changes. Will the new school board scrap the diversity policy in favor of neighborhood schools? Will year-round schools be converted back to a traditional calendar? How will the new board respond to growth and the school construction program?
WakeEd is maintained by The News & Observer's Wake schools reporter, T. Keung Hui. While Keung posts information and analysis on the issues, keep us posted on your suggestions, questions, tips and what you're doing to cope with the changes in Wake's schools.
Preparing for grim budget news
Submitted by KeungHui on 11/18/2009 - 17:26
It looks we've got some ominous budget news coming Thursday from Superintendent Del Burns.
The school district sent out a press release this afternoon that Burns will hold a media briefing on Thursday to make an "announcement" on the 2010-11 fiscal year budget. The press release doesn't give details but it's not likely going to be good news.
State revenue collections are down, fueling fears that cuts will be ordered.
Kevin Hill, chairman of the school board, said the briefing was arranged by staff and not the board. While he didn't know what Burns will say, he expects him to announce what preparations are being made for the next fiscal year.
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Comments
Burns will be stating there
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 09:29 — red_balloonBurns will be stating there isn't any money to pay him and that 12/1 is his last day with WCPSS.
That would be music to my
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 21:44 — dryeraseuserThat would be music to my ears!!!!
However, it might not happen on Dec. 1, but I have the gutt feeling...Burns is really on his way out the door.
We should thank Burns for
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 09:47 — woodstockWe should thank Burns for providing the BoE with grounds for dismissal for contract-breaking deception and incompetence. First he hides a report that shows Wake was engaged in discriminatory practices regarding the admittance of low-income and minority students in advance courses, and now it appears that he has not kept the BoE abreast of pending dire budgetary challenges. (Chairman Hill is not off the hook on this; he needs to be on top of this kind of information.)
Don't feel sorry for Burns, we learned yesterday that he is a "highly recruited education superstar" and other systems are eager to hire him.
I think he's got to get as
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 01:35 — dryeraseuserI think he's got to get as much attention as possible...I really feel, that Burns is on his way out the door!!! That day can't come any sooner!!
OT- Koolaid Alert !!!
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 21:41 — shank56On NBC -17 tonight, I caught the middle of a story about Debra Goldman touring a Cary school (Maybe Cary HS??) and meeting with staff and admins about Wacky Wednesday.
She must be drinking the Koolaid already, b/c what I thought I heard on tv was that she was impressed with what she heard and that maybe there will be some deep discussion about keeping Wacky Wednesdays!!
Shouldn't we expect these new members to honor their campaign promises before and after they are sworn ? They have all the data and the answers and you all have made sure we know it. Can't we count on what they promised??
Reality Bites
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 16:48 — teach248I think overall the new board members are going to be in for a shock when they start talking to a broader section of school employess and start hearing from a broader section of parents and community members. The reality is that they were elected by a narrow section of the county's population and many that did not understand what was at stake are waking up and making their voices heard. It doesn't surprise me that the new board member would hear positive things about Wed. early dismissals.
ROFL
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 21:21 — shank56Hey Ya'll,
No matter what Dr. Burns says about 2010-2011 budget, this budget belongs and is owned by the new BOE.
The State of NC will tell WCPSS what to expect, the BOE will lobby the Wake County Commission for more supplement funding if it wants more to set its budget.
Why are you all so worked up ?? You own the budget and are in control now. Chill out.
It's out of the hands of WCPSS administrators. You won. and can change everything ..remember?
Well, based on the original
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 23:30 — CaryCurmudgeonWell, based on the original post, it seems the budget will be IN the school board's hands for the first time. And I would hope that the new board is not satisfied with hearing about major budget news at the same the press does, and that they will not simply rubber-stamp it like their predecessors. That itself will be progress from what we have today.
and if there's such dire
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 20:47 — loriacand if there's such dire news - why didn't he recommend they stop spending on Forest Ridge since they know that's money down the drain. Mr. Burns needs to go - enough games, no one has time for this.
The timing seems questionable...
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 19:42 — midtownmomI wonder if this is his way of trying to scare off the new board from talking about returning to the traditional schedule. I don't trust his tactics at all. I can hear it now...we just don't have the budget to make the changes right now. It would take money away from the children.
How can the Chairman of the
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 18:24 — CaryCurmudgeonHow can the Chairman of the School Board not know what "major news" the Superintendent is going to announce in a press conference? Who is running our school system?
I agree
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 10:13 — louiselee44Burns "works" for the School Board (they hired him; they set his salary) and they don't even know what he's going to say???? Just more proof of who's running the show - the administration has always had the majority of the School Board in the palm of their hand. I hope that will soon change.
I can just see my husband making a public announcement about finances that his boss knows nothing about. Two minutes later he'd be looking for a job!
Muscle-Flexing
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 20:02 — Bob_SconceThe timing is very suspicious -- the old board has had its last meeting, its members given a hearty handshake and slap on the back. But, the new board hasn't been seated. Time for Del Burns to take the spotlight and set the agenda.
Weasely. If I were an incoming board member, I'd show up at the press conference and ask why I hadn't heard about this before. It's about time somebody puts him back in his place.
Great questions. Who the
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 10:44 — woodstockGreat questions. Who the hell does Burns report to? He held on to the EVAAS data, now this??!! Kevin Hill should be demonstrating some leadership and demanding better communication.
Also, how does this information suddenly become apparent? Where is fiscal management? Where is proactive planning?
The timing for this is very odd. The last meeting of the status quo is held and awards distributed, then a mere day later there is an anticipation of dire news.