Here's the official comment on the school district's web site:
Supreme Count Rules
May 1, 2009 - In a majority ruling, The North Carolina Supreme Court has ruled that school districts have the authority to assign students to year round schools.
WCPSS’s attorneys are currently studying the ruling and its impact; however this ruling means that WCPSS will now be able to fully utilize current and future building capacity.
It is anticipated that WCPSS may now move forward with its first-ever multi-year student assignment plan, as approved by the Board of Education. That three-year plan provides students and families greater stability by eliminating year-to-year assignments.
In November 2006, voters approved a $1 billion Capital Improvement Plan that includes provisions for all new elementary and middle school to open on a year-round calendar.
Comments
Thank You WakeCARES
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 20:20 — CaryCurmudgeonThousands of parents owe a debt of gratitude to Patrice lee, Dawn Graff and Kathleen Brennan. These three ladies worked together to form WakeCARES, and to see this lawsuit through to the end. Because of their lawsuit, over 2,500 families were able to opt out of MYR schools this year, and last year. While a few judges may have ruled otherwise on a legal basis, Patrict, Dawn, Kathleen and the rest of their supporters were RIGHT; No family should be forced to attend YR schedules against their will.
Today Marks a pathetic victory for a school board and administration who have forgotten that their purpose is to serve citizens. And I hope it is a rallying cry to take our schools back from Educrats who take great joy from experimenting with our children!
Thank you Patrice, Dawn and Kathleen.
Lawsuit?
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 21:56 — supportwcpssHmm...Maybe some on the 'other' side should consider suing Wake Cares for wasting our tax dollars. I think I'll move this option forward.
Supportwcpss, you are naked now
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 16:59 — Voice_of_Reason_You support a system of government where they are right all of the time. You may never challenge it. Just remember when every one is equal, some people will be more equal than others.
This was not a frivolous lawsuit, support it or not. BTW Leesville brace yourself for your property values to fall further. MYR does effect property values.
Leesville property values
Sun, 05/03/2009 - 07:24 — Big_PictureLeesville property values plumeted when their ES was forced MYR 2 years ago. Now they need to brace for another hit. Patti Head sure loves stickin it to her *peeps* doesn't she?
Supportwcpss, you are naked now
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 16:59 — Voice_of_Reason_You support a system of government where they are right all of the time. You may never challenge it. Just remember when every one is equal, some people will be more equal than others.
This was not a frivolous lawsuit, support it or not. BTW Leesville brace yourself for your property values to fall further. MYR does effect property values.
VOR - your warning does not make sense
Sun, 05/03/2009 - 08:21 — user1234“Leesville brace yourself for your property values to fall further. MYR does effect property values.”
VOR, your warning does not make sense. Unless there is something special about Leesville that allowed them to enjoy an advantage in teachers, schedule, or facilities over other schools this ruling should not affect them.
Why would people offer any less for the same teachers, books, administrators, location as last year? Every school will be affected by the ruling which makes things more uniform so there should be no reason to pay more or less. Kids should be getting the same education next year as last year, the location of the school has not changed, they are using the same books, you can not find another school with a “better” calendar – so I don’t see why people would discount the price.
Finally, 132k kids probably equates to 80k families times two might equate to 160k of the 1M people so while schools are important sales factor they are not everything to everyone especially with the population getting older retired newcomers probably care more about taxes and crime than schools.
I'm using Wakefield as an example
Sun, 05/03/2009 - 10:54 — Voice_of_Reason_Property values started going downhill after MYR was anounced here. That was before the market downturn that everyone has seen. Of course the ES went downhill at the same time due to increased busing and underfunding of MYR conversion. Del Burns even acknowledged that. And yes a lot of people around here went private. BTW- Wakefield is a mixed income development. Million dollar homes to lower income apartments, before you use the "rich whites" card.
Property values here on average are about 15-20% below tax appraised value right now and trending lower. Nothing was selling here the year the tax apraisals came out and the assessor used standard historical growth % to value. That was the year MYR was announced. BTW- the fact that higher income homes devalued greater and the appraised value is fixed at peak market value for many years is another stealth tax on the wealthier in Wake County.
"BTW- the fact that higher
Mon, 05/04/2009 - 09:13 — user1234"BTW- the fact that higher income homes devalued greater and the appraised value is fixed at peak market value for many years is another stealth tax on the wealthier in Wake County. "
I would feel more charitable if you had also been complaining the appraised values were fixed at a much lower value than actual sales the previous seven year which was a stealth credit to the same people.
Their schools are unique
Sun, 05/03/2009 - 10:37 — Big_PictureTheir schools are unique with a traditional HS attached to the MS and ES. No calendar continuity for that area with MYR thrown in.
Confirm this with realtors in that area if you have doubt: an area that always had houses snatched up for asking price as soon as they hit MLS (if not before) was immediately crushed by MYR 2 years ago. Add the recession and they are in dire straits.
Their families and teachers have formed a massive grassroots organization unrivaled by any to fight for community cohesiveness. A success story that WCPSS is determined to crush at all costs. No reason except Patti Head's hatred for Leesville.
So putting the ES, MS and HS
Sun, 05/03/2009 - 16:15 — user1234So putting the ES, MS and HS all in the same location gives the homes a 20% adder over nearby homes assigned to other schools? And VOR is saying now that the ES and MS would be YR that people would lose the 20% adder? I always thought having all the schools in one location would be terrible for traffic with ton of cars going and coming every day but probably conventient for parents who only wanted to drive the entire family to one location for school. Also, I thought having them all together would be bad for the WCPSS because it sets up the expectation kids will move through each of the schools from start to finish and I don't know if that can be accommidated?
I am not an expert here.
Sun, 05/03/2009 - 21:49 — Big_PictureI am not an expert here. Speak with realtors to hear about what MYR did to Leesville housing market. One day you never saw a *for sale* sign in the area because it was a sellers market. Overnight the area was flooded with homes for sale; no movement and no demand. Speak with Leesville families to ask about negatives to their unique setup. You will not find a negative comment about the setup. They all just hate MYR and are anxious to have all 3 of their schools back on the same schedule. It is a true community working diligently to keep families together and staff members happy. That is a model to be duplicated not destroyed.
Empty threat.
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 22:19 — SDR256Try it. Go ahead. It takes hundreds of thousands of dollars. And a good solid case. Oh, wait! I think I know someone who has a good solid case and is biding their time to see how this election turns out.
Facts
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 22:05 — SDR256In fact I think it was the school system who said they would accept what the lower court ruled and decided to use our tax dollars to take it to the State. They should have backed down. Now we're on the warpath.
WCPSS was NOT going to appeal Judge Manning's Ruling
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 22:41 — Lisa_BHey SDR256:
You are EXACTLY correct. A very confident Patti Head was interviewed following the original hearing, and asked about an appeal if Judge Manning ruled against WCPSS. Her response was something like "Judge Manning is a highly respected education judge, and no matter what the outcome, both sides should respect his decision and we will not appeal". (not exact words, but close). THEN, as soon as the ruling came out in favor of Wake Cares, SURPRISE, they IMMEDIATELY decided to appeal.
If ONLY we had a more responsive School Board, whose members all truly CARED about families and doing what is right for the families instead of following unjustified and destructive personal agendas all the way to retirement. I've tried everything I can think of and used every ounce of patience I've got to give WCPSS respect and the benefit of the doubt (and the chance to act appropriately)---and in return, I (or better yet WE the families) just get kicked in the face every time.
Thanks again to Wake Cares--your efforts are TRULY appreciated. What WSCA is working on now is EXCITING, and families will FINALLY be shown some common courtesy and respect after October's elections. It's been a long, frustrating, and unbelievably disappointing 3 years dealing with the INSANITY.
Patti Head saying one thing
Sun, 05/03/2009 - 07:27 — Big_PicturePatti Head saying one thing and doing another? Say it isn't so. District 7 will win in October no matter who gets that seat.
I second that
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 21:37 — choice4allHuge Thank you to Patrice, Kathleen and Dawn.
Yes,
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 22:25 — SDR256Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and - knowing that you did this with the purest and strongest power on earth - the love of a parent for their child. We all want the best for all children, and we will find a way.
Maybe parents need to go to
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 19:49 — rr77rr99Maybe parents need to go to the next BOE meeting in white with big (fake) knives in our backs with blood (fake) dripping down the back of the shirts. We sit with our backs to them the entire meeting. What do you say?
Make it "eye catching" the media loves that :)
Simple
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 22:06 — SDR256Give your donation now. Give your vote in the fall. They will never see it coming.
I saw this in Rosa's eyes
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 16:22 — g88ky07I saw this in Rosa's eyes a minute ago, as she pinched herself in her interview not to smile with elation at the outcome,
they could use this to say, we hear you parents, we love you, we want you happy so what can we do to help out? How about we keep offering you the option to opt out? After all, we've already created this big ball of poo, what's it going to hurt to continue allowing MOST of you the option.
Heck, while we're at it we'll unconvert 4 schools as a bonus to show you parents the love! THEN, when we need your support for the next bond, remember, we listened to you and "worked with you."
See, we really do care folks! It's ALL about education!
Face it, folks
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 16:07 — fiestamomThe Wake County Board cares more about the liberal agenda than they care about children. I'm going to come out and say it, they want to punish achievers, they do NOT want to help the kids who truly need it.
On the bright side, Wake County has a lot of opportunities for home schools, there are charter schools, private and Christian schools.
Parents need to think long and hard over whether they want to subject their kids to a school system that has contempt for them.
I haven't been to a WCSA meeting yet, but hopefully they're prepared for the BIG money that will buy advertising, "positive" stories in the N&O about how Forced bussing heps the poor, how MYR is really "better" for families, and minorities.
Parents need to think long
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 06:58 — gwaihirParents need to think long and hard over whether they want to subject their kids to a school system that has contempt for them.
===========
The only reason I work fulltime, is to pay private school fees. Otherwise I would work part time / three-quarter time, and we would live off my husband's paycheck mostly.
It may be more difficult for people to find jobs to pay private school fees though, in this economy. We are not near the end of the downturn yet.
Take heart
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 15:55 — SDR256Its shocking to me how most folks are unaware of how powerful the Board of Education is. Who sits on that board and how much they actually represent YOUR family's interest matters almost more directly - if you have children and/or pay property taxes - than almost any other elected office.
This ruling just underscores the need to have board members who represent interests of the broad spectrum of families in Wake County. If we get another status-quo, blind deaf and dumb board they will continue to wreak havoc.
A fresh new board can reverse this Let's inform everyone we know who complains about this that if they back WSCA candidates for those four seats, this will be reversed - responsibly of course - but in line with what the top of the org chart - VOTERS - want. The power of the board, as upheld by the court will remain. But what they do with it will change dramatically.
We've lost the battle but not the war, folks. Come to WSCA's next meeting in Morrisville, May 9 at Babymoon Cafe 4:30 - 6:30. Better yet, make a donation on our webpage www.wakesca.org. Get your friends and neighbors to donate and be ready to hand out flyers in the fall.
Don't let this one go folks!
Nope
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 15:54 — supportwcpssNo it's not.
http://www.wcpss.net/bond/faqs.html#yearround
You just didn't read.
I'll continue the fight to
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 15:36 — shearertwI'll continue the fight to October, support WSCA and reasonable, family friendly candidates. If I'm shocked to find out that the majority of this county is made up of fools like the NCSC, then I'm either moving, off to private school or both. WCPSS will successfully have run off another one....
Congratulations support and user...for now.
WCPSS won't miss you. They
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 17:10 — Big_PictureWCPSS won't miss you. They hate high achievers and despise parents who expose the truth and advocate for their children. The 2 words "family values" are not in their vocabulary unless they are preceeded by the word "destroy". Time for WSCA to get things moving!
Thanks, Big_Picture.
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 17:54 — SDR256You ready to pitch in? We need all hands on deck.
Of course
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 18:12 — Big_PictureOf course
Private schools
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 15:58 — SDR256I expect private schools will see an avalanche of applications from this.
China
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 15:10 — choice4allAnyone know what color uniforms Patti picked out while she was in China?? Oh and what color flag will our children have to salute, bow down to every morning that they arrive 10 minutes early and leave 1 day a week early? Hmm? And now that the BOE has almost more power grab than Purdue, how much more of a paycut will they impose (illegally) on our Teachers. Ah Socialism at its best!
here's a sick irony, many
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 18:18 — AngelaWhere's a sick irony, many moons ago before the Growth Committee at Leesville was dissolved due to dissention in the ranks( i.e the truth might get out), there were "studies" being done on the benefits of uniforms initiated by the BoE but fact-finding taken on by the GC....when the GC expanded (ie. become OPEN to dissenting sides) and it was presented to the PTA---fireworks ABOUND and it fizzled out.....wonder how long it might be before it gets resurrected since their power knows no bounds now?
How involved was Patti Head
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 18:57 — Big_PictureHow involved was Patti Head with your Growth Committee? Judging by how she screwed up royally by forcing MYR on LRMS without knowledge of the true facts; sounds like she insists on lying to keep the truth hidden as long as possible. The order to dissolve your committee might could have been her way to silence the truth.
Growth Committees are formed
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 19:12 — AngelaWThe Wake County Board of Education has Board Advisory Councils. Advisory council made up of Principals, Parent Representatives, and at-large members from our 9 districts.
STRUCTURE OF GROWTH COMMITTEE
The Board Advisory Council Parent Representative at each school asks for a parent to Chair the Growth Committee. The Chair may recruit a few parents to help with the responsibilities below. The Chair can be of great assistance to the Board member by communicating issues that need to be addressed at the school.
Gowth Committees are formed by BAC (Board Advisory committee) Reps, BAC Reps are chosen by BoE members.....draw your own conclusions to that one....
Was there a rogue *BoE
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 19:31 — Big_PictureWas there a rogue *BoE wannabe* on the committee who decided that he/she wanted to expose the truth, thereby causing the abrupt dissolution?
more like "wiki-fact
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 19:37 — AngelaWmore like "wiki-fact finder"s who wanted TRUTH for the community.....not the BoE kool-aid party line...
Say no more. True set up.
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 19:27 — Big_PictureSay no more. True set up. Obvious conflict of interest. Appreciate the clarification.
;)
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 19:29 — AngelaWdissolved when BAC Rep talked to BoE rep ....just sayin'
And there you have it.
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 20:15 — Big_PictureAnd there you have it. Y'all have a small gaggle of WCPSS worshipers protected by Patti Head and giant group of realists. Keep up the fight for the truth and the families.
The irony of it
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 16:35 — Falcis that China has been moving toward capitalism and more individual freedom, while we seem to be moving away from it. Kind of like the irony that China emits huge amounts of greenhouse gases and refuses to mandate reductions, meanwhile we are going to borrow money from China to pay for mandated reductions here. It seems politicians here at all levels and on all kinds of issues have lost their collective logic and common sense, and don't get me started on their ethics.
From the Supreme Court
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 13:23 — RMC10From the Supreme Court Appeals Opinion 5/1/09 - Dissenting Justices in part. (Worth reading Complete text)
Justice MARTIN dissenting.
"This case arises from the decision of the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) to change its year-round school program from voluntary to mandatory. Despite a tradition of using year-round schools as a voluntary supplemental program, and in the absence of specific legislative authorization, WCPSS mandatorily placed approximately 20,000 students at schools operating on year-round calendars. (See footnote 2) These students were not offered placements at schools operating on the traditional school schedule, as had previously been the expectation of students and families within WCPSS. The actions of WCPSS violate the North Carolina school calendar law. They are also inconsistent with long-standing education practice in this State. Because WCPSS exceeded its authority when it materially and substantially changed the school calendar for some of its students, I respectfully dissent. "
Ironic
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 13:21 — Eric_BIt's ironic that the majority opinion interprets the 2004 school calendar law as the legislature sanctioning the operation of year-round schools. The majority twisted the law intended to preserve summer break into a rationale to eliminate it.
They apparently bought the argument that LEAs can simply sprinkle the magic year-round pixie dust on schools to completely subvert the intention of the calendar law. What a crock!
True words
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 20:00 — louiselee44Eric - you are 100% right. You don't know how all of the falsehoods sicken me.
Since I was in on the ground floor, and helped shape the law, I know beyond a doubt exactly what the law means. I also know first-hand why year-rounds were exempt. The law probably would not have passed had YRs been prohibited. We knew, and even discussed the fact that systems (specifically Wake Co.) could and would abuse that good will concession. Talk about twisting the truth. This screams so loudly if injustice that I can hardly stand it.
I only wish I had been called upon to answer some of the questions about the intent of the law. I know they wouldn't have believed me, but some of the legislators could have told them...
At least this dissenting judge "gets it" - he mentions a lot of things from our website, and has some excellent points.
"It is illogical to reason that, in an amendment expressly bounding the school year and thereby preserving the traditional summer break, the legislature meant to allow all local boards to eliminate that break by imposing mandatory year- round calendars. That interpretation, adopted by the majority, permits the exception to swallow the overarching intent of the amendment: to curtail calendar expansion and protect summer vacation. The more reasonable interpretation of the statute is that the legislature, aware of year-round schools operating on a small-scale, voluntary basis throughout the State, included the statutory exception to allow for their continued existence. Had the legislature intended to allow mandatory year-round schooling for every North Carolina student_a startling break from over 160 years of educational practice_it could have, and would have, done so in a straightforward fashion.
Don't stop
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 22:31 — SDR256Then you need to write a letter - even if it goes nowhere in your own lifetime - put it on record what the law intended to do, your understanding and then how this failed. There will be NO ONE to say it and put it on record unless you do. Imagine - three generations from now (you think this is silly? You know darned well its not) when they are arguing the intent of this. YOU NEED TO RECORD THIS. Please, Louise. Just write down what you know, what you have experienced, why you did it, and get it recorded.
Court RUling
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 13:13 — RMC10Please do read the entire Opinion - I know it's long and detailed, but do not miss that there are three dissenting justices and two have separately written on their dissenting views. Basically, they state the BOE may be in violation of NC State Laws, and have broadly interpreted the State Laws with the mandatory year round school policy.
Hopefully someone from NC State Legislature will review this and interpret this mandatory policy differently.
The only thing the Supreme Court ruled was that parents did not have to give consent. I do not think this should be seen as any type of victory for the Board.
Mr. Hui - projected enrollment and F@R
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 13:08 — NWRaleighMomMr. Hui,
Can you request the spreadsheet with projected enrollment and F&R % for 2009/10 from GM?
How could a group of people
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 12:51 — Big_PictureHow could a group of people with authority to make decisions for children have such hate and distain for the family unit?
Would that be
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 12:53 — g88ky07the school system or the judges?
Majority of BoE, Growth
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 14:39 — Big_PictureMajority of BoE, Growth Management, and 4 lazy Supreme Court justices.
I think when the new school
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 12:45 — lilybugI think when the new school board takes over this will all be moot. We just have to have patience, which I know we're running out of at the moment.......
How about some comments
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 12:39 — g88ky07from Patti, Lori and President Rosa as they gloat and plot the destruction of 1,000's of more children's lives, can you get those for us?