The Wake County school board has scheduled a special meeting for Monday to potentially restore funding for after-school activity bus service.
The school board has agreed to eliminate the activity bus service earlier this year to help deal with the tight budget. But with the start of traditional-calendar schools on Wednesday, parents have complained about losing the bus service used by students who take part in sports, clubs or other extracurricular activities.
According to the board meeting agenda, the "service elimination creates potential inequities in after school educational opportunities available to all students." Board members will talk about reinstating the program by using part of the $27.7 million the district is expected to receive out of the state's $300 million share of the federal Education Jobs Bill.
Congress passed the bill earlier this month to help save teacher jobs across the country. North Carolina officials have said they're not sure how they'll use the $300 million because there weren't massive teacher layoffs this year.
The meeting will be held at noon in the board conference room, 3600 Wake Forest Road in Raleigh.
Comments
Sorry Guys
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 15:18 — RMC10For some reason (not me) all my posts today are posting twice - I'm not reposting or trying to grandstand...Hui anyone else having this trouble. Feel Free to delete the duplicates to save space on this thread. I can't do it on my end - have tried.
Revisiting Activity Busses
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 11:15 — RMC10Over the weekend I had 2 thoughts on this.
Did the teachers actually want and support this cancellation of activity busses because then they wouldn't have to stay after school till 5:00 and tutor or for clubs, activities - when time had already been added to their day with the bell schedule changes. (Note to everyone - we still get picked up at old time 7:20 and returned home at old time 3:18, but the kids sit on the bus in front of the school until 7:50 then wait in the gym till first bell at 8:15 - so not actual time to learning day at all - transportation department blew this one by not changing bus schedules to match later bell times - at least at Apex Middle School - maybe everywhere???)
And - this money for 2010-2011 year was already budgeted, approved and funded before August 25th (start of school year). But when did the activity busses stop running. We were using them until May 2010. But we (Apex Middle) and parents thru this blog were just advised last Thursday about losing the use of the busses.
Anyway I'm glad they are revisiting. If they reinstate them, then all sports coaches and clubs should let kids who planned to go out for say volleyball but couldn't, because of the activity bus being canceled, still try out. Even though the practices start today (for traditional schools), and many kids probably had to drop out of tryouts when the busses were cancelled on the 2nd day of school - the same days sports team had their intro meeting.
Revisiting Activity Busses
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 11:13 — RMC10Over the weekend I had 2 thoughts on this.
Did the teachers actually want and support this cancellation of activity busses because then they wouldn't have to stay after school till 5:00 and tutor or for clubs, activities - when time had already been added to their day with the bell schedule changes. (Note to everyone - we still get picked up at old time and returned home at old time 7:20 - but the kids sit on the bus in front of the school until 7:50 then wait in the gym till first bell at 8:15 - so not actual time to learning day at all - transportation department blew this one by not changing bus schedules to match later bell times - at least at Apex Middle School - maybe everywhere???)
And - this money for 2010-2011 year was already budgeted, approved and funded before August 25th (start of school year). But when did the activity busses stop running. We were using them until May 2010. But we (Apex Middle) and parents thru this blog were just advised last Thursday about losing the use of the busses.
Anyway I'm glad they are revisiting. If they reinstate them, then all sports coaches and clubs should let kids who planned to go out for say volleyball but couldn't, because of the activity bus being canceled, still try out. Even though the practices start today (for traditional schools), and many kids probably had to drop out of tryouts when the busses were cancelled on the 2nd day of school - the same days sports team had their intro meeting.
Interesting thoughts, RMC.
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 11:51 — jenmanInteresting thoughts, RMC. I would really hate to think that the teachers want to cancel the buses. I can't imagine that they were aware of it any sooner than we were. It was mentioned back in March or so, but I don't think anybody was paying attention or realized that it was really going to happen.
The question about when activity buses stopped running is interesting in terms of YR schools. So the budget was just voted on and adopted this month, right? YR middle schools have been in session since early July. Did they have service until now or was there never any service for this school year?
The Wheels On The Bus
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 12:43 — RMC10I thought the budget was set earlier - wasn't there something in one of these threads that the WCPSS staff was involved in the earlier "so what can we cut and save to make the budget work and save teacher jobs" when there was that huge budget shortfall? Maybe not in this Post but on similar Bus post. I don't really think the teachers would do that either, but they have been asked to work later, do planning as well on that longer day, and wasn't there something about working later in the day also. So maybe the staff just thought that activities, clubs and tutoring was just one too many extras to an already long day. And that did maybe seem a logical place to cut.
I'd be willing to pay a say $30.00 per year activity bus fee so I can keep working my regular workday and allow my child to participate in a club or sport. (I know, I know, but RMC10 every parent can't pay that)! Just trying to think outside the "no bus" box.
I didn't even know there was an activity bus either - never used it (think it's a MS or HS option), until last year (spring) when tutoring was needed on Thursday for us.
And why every year does this State always threaten teacher layoffs, no more new teachers, book orders will have to be cut, class size will increase - every year that seems to happen here in NC, as a way to get everyone's sympathy and maybe seek extra taxes or get voter approval when social programs are reduced or cut. Seems a self-serving way for the State to gin up funds. (keep in mind that education budgets and teachers kind of push our emotional buttons).
Raleigh, N.C. — The
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 08:15 — AngelaWRaleigh, N.C. — The Wake County Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Monday to discuss possibly reinstating bus service for students involved in after-school activities.
The service was cut in March when the board approved a $20 million reduction to the Central Services budget, Wake schools spokesman Michael Evans said Friday.
Prior to the cut, 65 activity buses were running across the county, logging nearly 2,000 miles a day, Evans said.
Ending the service, which would drop students at community centers close to their homes, saved nearly $1 million.
The cut, however, has caused problems for parents, including working mother Mary Keough, who relied on the service to help get her daughter home from after-school activities.
“I think it has caused a lot of upheaval for the students and the families,” Keough said.
Wade Martin, principal at Martin Middle School, said the loss of the service has hit the school’s low-income families the most.":"The Wake County Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Monday to discuss the reinstatement of bus routes for students involved in after-school activities
window.We have students who would not be able to participate in fall sports,” Martin said. “We have already heard from some parents the difficulty in providing that transportation everyday after practice.”
Evans said he has heard similar concerns from families who don't have the resources to pick up their children after school.
The school board will discuss the issue at noon on Monday.
The money to reinstate the service could come from federal education grant money received awarded to the state.
Please post links
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 09:20 — ConcernedParentAngela - The articles you repost are often quite interesting. Could you lead each one off with; From: www.blahblahblah so we know where it came from?
Tx!
Where will the money come
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 12:58 — loriacWhere will the money come from? What else will be cut instead? My son's HS classes have 35+ students in each class, and these are honors classes. It seems to me that the austerity budget needs to focus on the bare essentials, I agree the activity buses are a good thing, but can we afford it? Classes can't get any bigger without violating the fire code.
So..
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 13:58 — Bob_SconceAccording to the article, it would come from WCPSS' portion of a federal grant which hasn't been previously allocated. Evidently, when this decision was made in March, that hadn't been awarded yet.
Curious
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 16:15 — loriacCould they use that money for more teachers instead?
stimulus money
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 17:37 — turnerk1Yes
Posted in part by
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 07:04 — nancyncPosted in part by youthinkso: <i>Activity buses in my district were used for tutorials, detentions, support groups lead by volunteer mentors as well as athletics.</i>
Are you in Wake County? There must have been a change in the use of activity buses then, they were never used for those purposes up to 2000. At least not for the transportation district I worked for.
I'm surprised, if it was Wake County, how it is different from one segment of the student population to another and when did that begin?
Posted in part by
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 10:09 — youthinkso@nancync....I live, work and pay taxes in Wake County. The use of activity buses is determined by each SIP (School Improvement Plan). One size fits all generalization has no place in this conversation.
youthinkso ...
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 10:19 — nancyncExcuse me, you misread my intent. I was speaking from past experience as a school bus driver for WCPSS and was not aware that it was handled per school - per district, etc.
It was not an affront to you, just never heard of it before. My kids are long out of the WCPSS fortunately and I don't have to deal with the system intimately anymore.
And as to the one size fits all comment, we do disagree on some aspects of expenditures then because inequity in funding something such as transportation isn't what I would consider right. Every school has students in need, at least according to how students were assigned all these years, it was to mix up the economic needs of the student population, therefore it would seem to me then, that transportation needs would be similar across the board. That is, concerning using buses to move students home after school hours/activities.
Excuse me, you misread my intent.
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 10:48 — youthinkso@nancync....SIP's are evolving plans that change as individual schools academic needs change. At the end and the beginning of the school year, SIP's are updated. Therefore (per population) transportation needs as well as academic needs change per NCLB.
Activity buses are not used
Fri, 08/27/2010 - 22:01 — nancyncfor after school tutoring transportation, at least not when I drove a bus for WCPSS in the late 90's - regular school buses transported those students.
Activity buses were for sports, marching band (although marching band had to pay to use the buses and pay for fuel as well) and those sorts of activities.
Since the late 90's ????
Fri, 08/27/2010 - 22:29 — youthinksoActivity buses in my district were used for tutorials, detentions, support groups lead by volunteer mentors as well as athletics. Losing after school transportation was the second kick in the gut of educators and volunteers who sacrifice their time to stay after. BTW, educators (teachers and parapros) purchased food (using personal money) for students unable to bring snacks.
Just when staffs are struggling to find time for PLT's....now this. There are just so many hours in the regular school day for educators to wave their magic wands!
Reinstate activity transportation!!!
Teacher's are not struggling
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 11:05 — aquaman4life68Teacher's are not struggling to find time for PLT's....they are "struggling" to find time to have those meetings that are FORCED to have those weekly meetings whether they like it or not. Of course Ole Del..isn't around anymore while his staff has to alot even more time to something that amounts to nothing. Not one teacher that I know, which are friends and family approves of this FORCED weekly meetings. They didn't like it last year with the early Wed. and they don't like it now without it either. YES I know you will have those teachers that just LOOOOVVEEE to meet and talk and talk, and hash over numbers etc...but I haven't PERSONALLY met many like think it really helping the situation.
But you are right about that magic wand thing...teachers sure are expected to be able to perform magic this day and time...which is the sad pathetic state of affairs of our schools and the so called "leadership" of our state and local government. God bless each and every teacher in our modern day society now!
When does the responsibility
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 09:38 — woodstockWhen does the responsibility of the school system and taxpayers end ...and the responsibility of family and parents begin? There are "just so many" tax dollars to go around -- are chauffer services really a priority?
Responsibilities Of Parents Begin
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 13:01 — RMC10When each and every student in Wake County that whos parents do pay taxes gets the same cut of the action regardless of income - I don't get a free lunch, my bookpack and school supplies are not paid for or at a reduced price, I don't get free field trips or assisted field trips. I don't get free cell phones so I can stay in touch with my family...NC is also way too generous with the F&R program (costing all taxpayers). Did anyone even look at the application that was sent out this month? It's changed this year - it used to place a dollar value on eligibility per house hold based on income/and number in family - now it's an undetermined vague percentage of ?? based on??. All very vague, increasing eligibility. And, you don't even have to be a citizen to be eligible. That's all just a little too generous when budgets get so tight. All parents need to be responsible for the children they bring to this earth. That responsibility is too now too eager to accept any and all handouts available. Now don't attack too hard - I grew up on the Illinois welfare system and put myself through school with all my worked for dollars. Still do - just tired of giving it to everyone else in NC.
Who gets a free cell phone
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 13:18 — danofncWho gets a free cell phone provided by WCPSS? Which schools are offering free backpacks and school supplies to kids? Other than the lunch, I think all the other things you are complaining about are paid for by the PTA or provided by community groups (churches, etc).
Why the question marks? It's 130% of poverty, based on the number of people in the household. That's not really vague, it just doesn't provide what is considered poverty in Wake County. I'm sure there is an actual number, though.
The paper also states that WCPSS can ask for written proof of your household size and income information.
I have no idea how this is changed, because I've never looked at these forms before right now. I just happened to have the entire stack of papers from my daughter's first day of 2nd grade sitting close by.
Who Gets
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 15:14 — RMC10No Not WCPSS giving- Wake County/NC/US taxpayers - in the take from the rich (and the Gov't decides who that is, and it's a moving target) and giving to the economically disadvantaged in both the largest dollar amount to the largest number or people ever in history.
Free cell phones - the same that qualify for F&R
Free Supplies and Backpack - Collected and donated by people an charitable organizations and distributed to low income families
Free public and private transportation - same groups
and Free Lunches/well almost free - when most of those parents already get the food card which should already pay for 3 meals a day for every person in the family. F&R get another 2 meals paid for by that same Federal Funded system - kind of like double dipping.
Free or Reduced Cost Child Care before/after/camps for all their kids. Camps that I paid $900.00 for 5 weeksfor one child last summer. Could our family budget afford that? Nope! But I don't qualify for any reductions or freebies because I happen to work everyday to afford what I have.
Free or Reduced housing - same group
P.S. Last year the F&R form even said you did not have to have a Social Security Number to qualify - and see 130% of the poverty level - which that level of income goes down and down each year so more and more people qualify each year for all the free items available, when maybe they could afford to pay in part or in whole. A percent can be variable but it used to be like 5 people in house and say $40,000 in income - that's made up don't have paperwork in front of me.
Who Gets
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 15:14 — RMC10No Not WCPSS giving- Wake County/NC/US taxpayers - in the take from the rich (and the Gov't decides who that is, and it's a moving target) and giving to the economically disadvantaged in both the largest dollar amount to the largest number or people ever in history.
Free cell phones - the same that qualify for F&R
Free Supplies and Backpack - Collected and donated by people an charitable organizations and distributed to low income families
Free public and private transportation - same groups
and Free Lunches/well almost free - when most of those parents already get the food card which should already pay for 3 meals a day for every person in the family. F&R get another 2 meals paid for by that same Federal Funded system - kind of like double dipping.
Free or Reduced Cost Child Care before/after/camps for all their kids. Camps that I paid $900.00 for 5 weeksfor one child last summer. Could our family budget afford that? Nope! But I don't qualify for any reductions or freebies because I happen to work everyday to afford what I have.
Free or Reduced housing - same group
P.S. Last year the F&R form even said you did not have to have a Social Security Number to qualify - and see 130% of the poverty level - which that level of income goes down and down each year so more and more people qualify each year for all the free items available, when maybe they could afford to pay in part or in whole. A percent can be variable but it used to be like 5 people in house and say $40,000 in income - that's made up don't have paperwork in front of me.
My church usually collects
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 19:50 — danofncMy church usually collects backpacks and school supplies for kids. Let me know what you need and I'll put you on the angel tree.
I wouldn't want to trade places with anybody in the groups you seem so jealous of. I think most of those programs require a little more proof than the F&R program.
Could you provide an example of free private transportation? Is the government renting limos for people now?
By the way....some version or another of the phone service has been in place since 1985 and it was ramped up in 2005.
When does the responsibility....Great Question!!!
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 10:26 — youthinksoThe tax payers responsibility ends where the academic demand begin...SIP,AYP, EOG, PEP, ED, AG...and on and on and on! The majority five's fiduciary responsibility must focus on academic excellent not parent convenience. Bottom line, PLT Wednesday was a parent responsibility. Look what happened!
Do you have a point? Sending
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 10:52 — woodstockDo you have a point? Sending kids home early from school was an academic benefit? That is a stretch ...LOL
Do you have a point? Sending...........
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 11:02 — youthinkso@woodstock.....uninterrupted collaboration...point
Who is preventing teachers
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 11:23 — woodstockWho and/or what is preventing teachers from collaborating?
The parents fortunaltely
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 11:08 — aquaman4life68The parents fortunaltely now, don't have to be bothered with that early Wed. deal, I just hope and pray that soon the teachers will not have to deal with the FORCED weekly meetings for long as well. I guess if they actually had support from the NCAE, they could work on getting the whole PLT thrown out as well.
Actually....
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 11:17 — youthinkso@aquaman4life68....PLT's and NCAE have no connection...wrong rant. How do you suggest collaborations to meet academic goals per building be accomplished?
Ask Jennifer Lanane
Sun, 08/29/2010 - 14:21 — g88ky07if PLT's and NCAE have a connection. Oh wait, that's right, her rants about PLTs ended when she got the boot.
Boot?????
Sun, 08/29/2010 - 21:48 — youthinksoHer term ended....please!
Sometimes -
Fri, 08/27/2010 - 20:17 — bluedaisySometimes the only reason a kid comes to school is to play football - - and the coach is the only one that gets him, and keeps him in the game with minimum grade requirements, attendance, touching base with teachers, caring. My daughter connected like that with an Assistant Principal and one teacher for all four years. Kept her head in the game, kept her in school. Even though she had a mama at home doing the same - those teachers make a difference. Even if its the coach, or the Alg 1 tutor. Lighten up Woody - this bit of dough supports that grad rate you love to quote.
Even if its the coach, or
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 09:41 — woodstockEven if its the coach, or the Alg 1 tutor. Lighten up Woody - this bit of dough supports that grad rate you love to quote.
How does that help sell your argument? Even with extravagant after school chauffer services the grade rates were nothing to brag about ...and the ED rate were downright shameful.
I'm glad they are revisting
Fri, 08/27/2010 - 16:20 — jenmanI'm glad they are revisting it.
Unnecessary administrative expense
Fri, 08/27/2010 - 16:19 — sachivalayWhy did BOE not ask parents first? I was totally surprised by this decision when middle school principal sent transportation information home with few lines at the bottom.
did the BOE request staff to
Fri, 08/27/2010 - 17:41 — jeannie84did the BOE request staff to report on actual usage of the activity bus service before killing it?
Meeting
Fri, 08/27/2010 - 15:58 — HereWeGoLooks like they need more than one meeting a month.
Absolutely....
Fri, 08/27/2010 - 16:43 — Bob_SconceThe next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board would have been.... Tuesday the 7th. Maybe they should reinstate that meeting and wait until then to decide to whether to reinstate this funding.
Oh, but wait a minute.... That meeting is still scheduled for the 7th.
Glad to see the board doing this -- it's not the sort of response the previous board had to parents.
The previous board would not
Fri, 08/27/2010 - 16:53 — magnetParentThe previous board would not have cancelled the activity bus service in the first place.
My humble opinion, after
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 07:19 — HJ2ss2My humble opinion, after having worked in the system, observed the inequities but realized I was one person in a system and could only control what I did, I have to agree that the previous board would have done nothing.
Anyone who questioned the unethical practices or dicrepancies in the manner in which students, parents and faculty were treated and realities that were denied was eliminated with an attempt to discredit them in the process. There I go sounding cryptic.
Bottom line is that a lot went on of which the community was unaware. If you were bright enough to figure things out, ask questions, make observations, (ie why was there a cladestine group of black educators who referred to themselves as "the family" to the exclusion of the white educators in the school?) This stuff just did not happen anywhere else I worked.
Really? I don't recall
Fri, 08/27/2010 - 17:22 — jenmanReally? I don't recall any BOE members arguing that this should remain. Hill asked about it on March 23 (I think that was the date) when they were presented with the budget, but I don't think it got any more discussion than that.
I think you could only reasonably make your statement if there was an outcry from the minority members. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think there was.
Well, Kevin Hill seemed to
Fri, 08/27/2010 - 17:54 — magnetParentWell, Kevin Hill seemed to voice serious concern over this action (see page 4):
http://www.wcpss.net/budget/2010-11-bpb/2010-11-board-qa--03-23-2010.pdf
And Dr.Morrison also seemed to be against it:
http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/08/26/648113/school-activity-buses-halted.html
""It's a problem," said school board member Carolyn Morrison, who questioned the cut during budget negotiations in March. "People can't always take advantage of after-school activities without transportation.""
it's the little extras
Fri, 08/27/2010 - 17:50 — prescott2Tedesco & Margiotta aren't concerned about creating high poverty, racially segregated schools because they will supposedly find other resources to help ED students. Then they go and cancel the very activity buses that are used for transporting students needing after school tutoring. Oh yeah we're ready for KIPP-like programs. I see the graduation rate for AA improving already- only not.
Hmm, you might want to
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 08:09 — woodstockHmm, you might want to recheck who you say canceled the activity buses ...including the WCPSS staff who recommended it.
What is the academic benefit
Fri, 08/27/2010 - 17:04 — woodstockWhat is the academic benefit of an activity bus?
Why am I helping to pay for a kids transportation because he or she wants to be involved in an AFTER school activity? Are parents responsible to anything anymore?
requirements
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 13:44 — turnerk1There are activities that are after school that schools require students to attend such as After school detention (a better alternative that requiring students to miss class for in-school suspension) and tutoring programs for struggling students (like ZAP programs). At the schools my older children attend they cancelled programs like this because there was no activity bus. They felt they couldn't require students to attend an after-school program if they couldn't get the child home afterwards. I think that taxpayers should be on the hook for transportation when the school is requiring the students to stay after school.
As for optional after-school activities. I think that if the board is serious about helping vulnerable students, then they have to support programs that help vulnerable children succeed in school (and life) and certainly band and sports programs do both. While I think an argument can be made that the taxpayer shouldn't be held liable for transportation provided for optional activities, I think morally we can't say we want kids to succeed and then refuse to provide those students the tools they need for success.
So called "extra" curricular
Fri, 08/27/2010 - 18:36 — allkidsfirstSo called "extra" curricular activities inspire learning and keep students motivated. Skills used in band and sports translate directly into the classroom. Studies have shown that students who play an instrument do better in math. Sports and the arts teach cooperation, perseverance and discipline. Since students are motivated on the field and on the stage, they bring those skills to subjects that were less engaging initially.
One of the biggest reasons we have an achievement gap is that the "extras" can only be afforded by students of affluent families. When you provide for sports and the arts, you improve the academic success of every child. They are not really "extra" they make all the difference for student success. The "just basics" of reading, writing and arithmetic is the primary cause of our nations poor academic results.
Yes, activity busses have a HUGE impact on academic success, and are especially essential to lower income students.
So called "extra" curricular
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 08:18 — woodstockSo called "extra" curricular activities inspire learning and keep students motivated.
I agree.
Skills used in band and sports translate directly into the classroom.
I agree.
Studies have shown that students who play an instrument do better in math.
I've heard that too.
Sports and the arts teach cooperation, perseverance and discipline.
I agree.
So, the question remains, why are taxpayers being asked to pay for chauffer services for extra activities? Where does my responsibility as a taxpayer end?
So you, as a taxpayer, don't
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 16:55 — allkidsfirstSo you, as a taxpayer, don't want to pay for excellence in education. Bottom line.
Prison is MUCH more expensive. Hope you enjoy paying for that.... and for higher security costs in stores... and for product loss... and for drug violence..