School board members are not happy at the prospect of having to cut more than $11 million from its budget.
As noted in today's article, board members complained that having to make cuts so deep would hurt a "lean budget." Board members said that might even lead to considering things such as cuts to the classroom and layoffs.
With potentially as much as $5.7 million being cut by the county, the year-round conversion tiff resurfaced.
Board members Lori Millberg and Patti Head said they wouldn't be in as bad a position if they had a larger fund balance. They said that getting the $4.7 million from county commissioners to pay for the year-round conversions would help.
As you may recall, commissioners declined to provide the $4.7 million last year after parents opposed to the conversions lobbied them for help. School board members argued they should have gotten the money because voters had approved the funding as part of the 2006 bond issue.
The school board wound up paying for the conversions by taking the money out of its fund balance. The amount needed was reduced to $2.9 million.
Millberg and Head said getting that money now would allow them to put it into fund balance to deal with new potential cuts.
Don't be surprised if the school board formally asks for the conversion money after the Democrats take over the board of commissioners next month.
Comments
Here's a GREAT idea!
Sat, 11/22/2008 - 11:33 — g88ky07I read through most of this lengthy blog and think I have a solution. FINALLY, I know!!
Several of you have, and always have had, great ideas and certainly understand the root of most of these problems.
Eric is a newbie, A Chris Decker type as stated, but seems to have a calm attitude and wants to be involved and SOLVE problems.
Problem IS, wcpss does NOT want any outsiders solving problems. They don't see any problems.
So, how about you guys who want to make a change, and have the patience, run for those open seats next year!????
We WILL support you!!!
THAT is the ONLY way ANYONE is going to solve ANYTHING!
From W I T H I N!!!!
Otherwise, outside of lobbying for a personal situation, or something like the Leesville chaos, all of the attempts to understand and offer solutions is worthless.
Why??? Because Chuck and his goons have NO intentions of listening to you or EVER doing squat about any of YOUR concerns!!!!
High Five
Fri, 11/21/2008 - 13:39 — AngelaWHigh Five Honored
Superintendent Del Burns presented an award to Orage Quarles, publisher of the News and Observer, and thanked the other four corporate leaders: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Capitol Broadcasting, Progress Energy and SAS for creating the High Five partnership. High Five has worked with WCPSS and four neighboring school systems. The primary strategy used by High Five to support student learning in school systems is training and support for professional learning communities. You can listen to an audio podcast here.
WCPSS Partners with Peace College
Teacher education and recruitment are the focus of the partnership between Peace College and WCPSS. The two have worked together since the fall of 2004 to design a program to recruit and develop prospective teachers who will be equipped to become effective career teachers and teacher leaders. The program offers both degree-seeking and licensure-only options for those who want to become teachers, preparing teacher candidates for licensure in both Elementary Education K-6 and Special Education: General Curriculum K-12. The partnership offers a high quality teacher education program that is meeting needs in critical areas. At the Nov. 18 meeting of the school board, Peace College President Laura Bingham talked about the connection made by training college students in WCPSS schools and preparing them for jobs in Wake County. You can listen to an audio podcast here.
Board Revises Policy 1510
At its Nov. 18 meeting, the Board of Education gave first reading approval to a revision of Policy 1510 for policy development, following the curriculum management audit recommendation for updating board policies. The revised policy more clearly describes the role of the board and staff in developing, approving and implementing policy. The revision notes the need for periodic review, training of staff and the use of regulations and procedures (R&P) to provide staff with guidelines to assist in policy implementation.
Supt. Del Burns said the
Thu, 03/12/2009 - 02:44 — jimmybon0Supt. Del Burns said the school district will have to give back $5.5 million to the state as part of $58 million in cuts to the state's public school districts. This comes on top of an earlier request from County Manager David Cooke to return $5.7 million.
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Just Catching Up
Fri, 11/21/2008 - 12:25 — Lisa_BI promised my family that I would take a 72 hour break from School Assignment, and I'm (sort of reluctantly) back. It sure was nice to be able to ignore my reassignment related e-mails and phone messages, have coffee with friends, go out to lunch, clean my house (well, that was not so nice) and I was able to just be a MOM for 3 days. I'm dreaming about having the draft revised by February so that 3 Leesville schools will all be operating on the traditional calendar---maybe I will finally be able to return to being just "MOM" at that point. (Like I said, DREAMING, and I know many of you can relate) It's an uphill battle, but certainly NOT impossible.
I just spent a few hours catching up on the recent blogs, and don't have a lot to add to what I have read. I like seeing newcomers involved, and appreciate the Leesville history and facts that have been shown. Also, since I have met and spoken with Eric several times, I do believe that he really does want to understand all sides and factors.
Just my 2 cents on Monday's Leesville meeting. It was good, but because it was not one of the "official" meetings it turned out to be a little different from what we had asked for. (although I still do appreciate Chuck's willingness to come out) When Chuck Dulaney told me over the weekend that Monday was "his meeting" and "not one of the official board hearings" it did change our strategy as to what we would say/not say that night. Considering all of the people affected by the draft in our area, I believe that it would have made sense to have the board members present on Monday to hear the concerns. We'll just wait for one of the future CEMs instead. If Chuck is going to explore a Plan B, he needs to have the board members ASK him to do it so we need to present to the "decision makers" if we want to encourage big changes to the draft.
**Keung, I realize someone asked this at Monday's meeting, but do you think Chuck will be adding an "Official" CEM in NW Raleigh??***
I was SO PROUD of Kim Grimes for getting up to share her feelings and experiences. We have been blessed to have her as a teacher, and she was very brave to speak that evening. I know that a lot of people appreciated hearing from a teacher and MOM who is experiencing what it is like to have children split onto different calendars. She was absolutely correct in saying that as a community we were willing to deal with some overcrowding in the short term in order to stay on the traditional calendar. All we needed was 1 more year to see what would happened with Sycamore Creek. We NEVER asked for year-round---we actually voted to OPPOSE the conversion, but it was still forced on our community which is why we have continued to stay so involved in trying to have LES return to operating on the traditional calendar.
While some teachers may teach in schools that follow the same calendar as their children, right now if you teach in the Leesville schools and have children on the campus you are going to be facing the same problems UNLESS we can have the entire campus operating on the traditional calendar. As Kim said, she is speaking for a LARGE group of teachers, and unfortunately most of them are too afraid to speak out. On Monday night Mrs. Grimes had the blessing of our caring Principal who DOES understand the family concerns. I can personally attest to the fact that there are SO MANY others in her position because they privately speak to each other and have come to me in confidence. They do feel that they need to remain silent in order to keep job security. Our Principal has told them to feel free to be honest, but they are still concerned. They would like to be asked their calendar preference by using anonymous ballots so that the truth will be told once and for all, but it doesn't look like this will be happening anytime soon.
I finally took the opportunity to look at the Bigger Picture website, and it is a nice looking site. I didn't see anything new or different, but someone obviously spent a lot of time putting it together. While I personally believe some of the information is misleading, there are always facts/figures that can be interpreted in more than 1 way. The fact that this group seems to believe everything WCPSS says and does doesn't make them bad or evil people. Knowing who is involved with this group, I have to say that if I was in their shoes and had not experienced what most of us have, I might also believe the WCPSS lines as the "gospel truth" and I might feel the same way they do. I do believe that they will eventually come to understand why so many of us are against MYR on the Leesville campus, BUT, if they're lucky we'll have 1 Campus-1 TRADITIONAL Calendar for Leesville and they won't ever have to experience it.
Happy Friday, and I hope everyone has a nice weekend. We've got a LONG 2 months ahead of us before this is all finalized.
Welcome back Lisa B.
Fri, 11/21/2008 - 14:26 — Big_PictureWelcome back Lisa B. Thank you for always looking at the bigger picture and always being the bigger person in every controversial situation.
No additional CEM meetings
Fri, 11/21/2008 - 13:39 — KeungHui (author)No additional CEM meetings have been announced.
Don't turn it around
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 13:32 — SideburnsIt's funny how Eric_B is all of a sudden concerned and wants alternative solutions. You sound a lot like the Chris Decker group. Everything is peaches and cream until someone steps on your toes.
Do you know how many YR seats are empty in the Apex/Cary area? (Prior to Baucom being converted back). Over 400 at Mills Park, over 300 at Laurel Park, over 200 at Highcroft, over 350 at Baucom. If WCPSS utilized capacity efficiently instead of giving the seats to those that fit the right profile, MYR would never have been necessary.
Not turning it around
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 13:46 — Eric_BWe're talking about LRMS now. I'm not trying to turn anything around. If the year-round conversion should not occur at the middle school, what do you propose? If something can be done at the middle school now, then there will be hope of getting LES converted back to traditional too.
It seems that Sideburns is one of the crowd that just likes to complain and attack those open to hearing alternatives, but offer no constructive suggestions.
Without the exact data
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 15:51 — BlogObserverWithout the exact data handy I believe LRMS is 106% of capacity at 1290 students? 100% of capacity would be 1213? 95% of capacity would be 1151? They are only 140 students over Chuck Delaney's magic 95% number. Are there high F&R middle schools that could benefit from 140 non-F&R LRMS students living closer to those schools than they live to LRMS? That is how I would propose addressing Chuck Delaney. He seems to focus on F&R numbers. Without knowing the F&R % of the other middle schools I cannot make a clear determination. On the surface it seems that moving 140 out to help decrease F&R at neighboring middle schools could be the ticket.
Look at the map for Carroll
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 16:20 — Eric_BLook at the map for Carroll Middle. It is currently at 37.6% F&R:
http://wwwc.wcpss.net/maps/WCPSS_RAP_2011_PROPOSED_20081115_SCHOOLMAP_360_BAS.pdf
You could peel off low F&R nodes on the eastern side of LRMS and send them to Carroll. It would definitely be a farther drive than LRMS, but at least they would not be passing LRMS on the way to Carroll.
The real question and problem is who would want their neighborhood to be reassigned out of LRMS? I don't see the anti-YR folks at LRMS lining up to have their neighborhoods assigned out to Carroll so that they can stay on traditional calendar with only a slightly longer drive.
West Millbrook is at 37.3% F&R too and is even closer to LRMS. Maybe some low F&R node LRMS folks will volunteer to be reassigned there?
http://wwwc.wcpss.net/maps/WCPSS_RAP_2011_PROPOSED_20081115_SCHOOLMAP_608_BAS.pdf
What? No volunteers? Even from anti-YR folks??
BTW, under the plan it seems that West Millbrook and Carroll will both have some open seats. It shouldn't be hard, especially for low F&R nodes to opt out of YR LRMS to go traditional there.
I respect your attempts to
Fri, 11/21/2008 - 11:32 — BlogObserverI respect your attempts to be civil Eric, but you must be new at this reassignment game. The board does not listen to parents. They do not encourage staff to explore plan B, C, D. Would you volunteer to leave your school if you were not forced to do so? Probably not unless there was a problem at that school and you saw a better fit somewhere else. The board moves hundreds and even thousands of children every year against the parent's wishes. No desire to consider other options. What you may not realize is that even when parents have volunteered to move the board has not listened. Why would they start listening now?
It is laughable to hear Chuck Delaney act as though he is listening to parents by agreeing to let LES families have Hilburn as traditional option now. 2 years too late. He is aware that option does not matter unless the draft is revised to keep LRMS traditional. It is not a positive change unless he keeps LRMS on the traditional calendar and he knows it. What will be truly meaningful is whether he keeps Hilburn as LES' traditional option if LRMS remains traditional. That will be a beneficial compromise.
Allowing children to attend
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 15:17 — Big_PictureAllowing children to attend school with their friends does not guarantee they will be on the same track, or does it?
If that was part of the peer continuity goal, great. I have not seen that mentioned. Going to the same school is great, but only relevent if they are on the same track. Different tracks rarely see each other and never track out together. So why is peer continuity into a MYR middle school so much more important than keeping families together?
Seeing friends in the hall
Fri, 11/21/2008 - 08:12 — BlogObserverSeeing friends in the hall or having a class or 2 with friends is nice, but that is never a guarantee with either calendar, is it? Just because you allow kids to attend the same school as their friends doesn't mean they will see them in class. The school day is meant for learning.
Social time outside school is important in middle and high school. Unless you are on the same track as your friends going to the same school is irrelevant in many ways. Break time together is more essential to friendship development.
Same as traditional
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 15:27 — Eric_BNo, it doesn't. Although I've heard of cases where neighbors or friends all apply for the same track and petition to be assigned to the same track.
It's really not too different from traditional calendar middle schools. In traditional calendar middle schools kids never go to core classes with those outside of their assigned team and rarely see friends on other teams at other times.
With year-round middle schools a team = a track so it's really not too different. Of course you are right about the different track out times...
Proposals
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 14:30 — SideburnsYea, yea -- that's not the first time I've heard that. It makes you feel better about being "right" by labeling me as a complainer. Actually, I have plenty of suggestions.
Here are some of them:
I propose that WCPSS start making parents an important part of the system.
I propose that WCPSS recognize that those nodes are actually families and children.
I propose that WCPSS quit converting schools simply to bus in more kids from other communities to make the F&R higher.
I propose that WCPSS quit forcing families to do as they are told -- and start asking what they need.
I propose that money be spent on education and not fuel.
I propose that WCPSS recognize that (for now) this is a county system and the burden of capacity should not be placed on some for the good of others.
I propose that WCPSS recognize that family continuity is more important to a child than peer continuity.
I propose that WCPSS places stability in assignment above the need to fill up a school.
I propose WCPSS make education their priority.
You see, Eric. You've joined this argument/fight/discussion/struggle midstream. It's not just about the LRMS conversion. It's about what WCPSS is doing to our whole system -- year after year after year. The proposed LRMS conversion is just a small part of it.
Common ground
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 14:43 — Eric_BSideburns, I actually think we do share a lot of common ground. I just admitted that I think the LES year-round conversion was a mistake. Year-round is not always the automatic answer. I don't feel a need to be "right" about this.
I agree with you that parents should have the right to choose their children's calendar, capacity (not F&R numbers!) permitting. (BTW, LRMS conversion to year-round does not necessarily change this unless WCPSS decides to deny families' applications to their traditional calendar opt-out school.)
I agree with you that everything possible should be done for kids to go to the school closest to their homes.
I agree that education should be the priority, not performing social experiments in diversity when there is no data to back up that it actually helps those being "diversified" and forcibly bused outside their communities for "their own good." Education is the goal. Diversity is not a goal in and of itself.
All this being said, I still think that LRMS conversion to YR is the right step to take at this time. I've explained myself in this regard already on the blog.
What can we do to advance the some of the other goals that we agree on?
Change
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 19:35 — SideburnsNow-- THAT is the million dollar question. If you can figure out how to keep people interested in these issues, let me know.
Meanwhile, you can work to get your legislators to support at-large elections and work hard to find new Board members who believe education trumps busing. That's what I'm focused on.
again, WAIT A YEAR....why
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 14:10 — AngelaWagain, WAIT A YEAR....why the rush? why the LESS THAN 8 months preparation and WHY DO IT with out Staff and the principal KNOWING it was going to be done?!
Capacity crisis did NOT blow up over night, but this "reaction" did. They have operated at a higher % of crowding previously, and there IS NO growth predicted for next year, and only 14 over three years! Have them wait just ONE year, see what the economy does, what growth does (nothing) and then look at it again.....this GROWTH CRISIS did NOT just occur, matter of fact, it is slowing down.
Capacity crisis has been growing over time
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 14:30 — Eric_BThe capacity problem has been growing over time. It's just that you personally have not been affected because others have been forced out of LRMS and are not able to attend because the school is full.
Bring in the 36 students from spot nodes created to relieve crowding at LRMS. Bring in the 60 students from Sycamore Creek that are being bused past LRMS to go to Carroll now. Bring in the 110 LES students that go to Daniels and Ligon currently and can't go to LRMS with their friends because of crowding.
When you bring in all of those students, suddenly the number jumps from the 20th day attendance number of 1281 to 1487. This is in a school with annual campus capacity of 1222 on traditional calendar.
Is 122% crowding ok with you? Is it ok that these kids don't get to go to LRMS now because of crowding? If not, what should be done other than YR conversion?
how do you know if I was
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 14:52 — AngelaWhow do you know if I was personally affected or not, you presume too much. I actually won't have a dog in the MS fight next year, thank god, my oldest moves up to LRHS, the younger have a few years before they have to go there and god willing, we get a charter school entrance.
Point being WHY is WCPSS all of a sudden concerned with this? WHY did Patti Head push this forward WITHOUT staff at LRMS knowing it was coming with LESS than 8 months to go? (you neglected to address that part of it) it has been over crowded repeatedly and they never did anything except bus some out. Quit busing for diversity and you won't have kids going miles past. Daniels and Ligon are magnets, are they not (or were) so how can you include 110 of them?
My apologies
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 15:02 — Eric_BMy apologies. I did not mean that so personally. I assumed that you did have children at LRMS, so you would know if you were or were not assigned out of LRMS.
Daniels and Ligon are magnet schools (well, Daniels won't be after this year), but they still both have base attendance areas that students are assigned to these schools from. The 110 kids I'm referring to go to LES now. Look at the assignment plan:
http://ap2008.wcpss.net/assignment-proposal//schools/471.html
Staff recommends that approximately 110 students from nodes 66.1, 66.2,
and 21.0 who are assigned to Leesville Elementary be reassigned from
Daniels and Ligon Middle to Leesville Middle.
---
The LRMS conversion is not new news. It was talked about last year during the reassignment discussion. It was talked about this past January. Keung even did a story on it:
Leesville Middle Could Go Year-Round
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/education/wake/reassignment/story/882987.html
This is not anything new. The planning could have been done better, but this conversion should not be a surprise to anyone.
When staff is unaware until
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 17:10 — AngelaWWhen the principal is unaware until they receive a call AFTER the vote charged by Patti Head, I'd say yeah planning could be done better.
with all your talk about "closest" school, then those nodes SHOULD be at Daniels and Ligon, becuase they are CLOSER to that.
The node map for LRMS is
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 17:12 — Eric_BThe node map for LRMS is here:
http://wwwc.wcpss.net/maps/WCPSS_RAP_2011_PROPOSED_20081115_SCHOOLMAP_471_BAS.pdf
For node 21.0 (62 students, 46.8% low income), LRMS is 1.4 miles farther away than Daniels--slightly farther. For nodes 66.1 and 66.2 (59 students, 79.7% low income), LRMS is 9 miles father away.
These look like F&R equalization and diversity moves. 66.1 and 66.2 at least are for sure. 9 miles farther drive, but they are already making the drive to LES from these nodes now.
I don't like these moves sprinkled into the plan in the name of "peer continuity."
so we agree at least on the
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 17:27 — AngelaWso we agree at least on the fact that these particular nodes 121 children (well 66.1 and 66.2) should NOT be moved to LRMS? Is that what you meant?
Well, I agree that the 59
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 18:12 — Eric_BWell, I agree that the 59 children in nodes 66.1 and 66.2 should definitely not be moved. It's a 9 miles farther drive. I hate to think what the total drive distance is for these kids.
It's very sneaky that Growth & Planning can try to justify this move to us in the name of "peer continuity" just because these nodes are already assigned to LES.
"sneaky" is a way to put
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 18:40 — AngelaW"sneaky" is a way to put it....I'm sure they gain nothing by traveling for that amount of time. It's not only the mileage as you say,it's time spent...what time does a bus pick them up in the morning, how many times do they come in late....there is a bus now at LES, that is pretty habitually late....then most of the riders need to get breakfast and don't get to classes until 20,30, 40 minutes later.....education at its best.
Eric B..
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 13:10 — RiversideRealist"reducing overcrowding, guaranteeing a traditional calendar seat for all, promoting diversity, and keeping costs low..."
Let me preface my comment by saying that I **KNOW** you did not INTENTIONALLY leave out "educate" on your list.
The problem w/ WCPSS MOST of the frequent bloggers have has NOTHING to do w/ Y/R or TR. Truly. God Bless You if you want Y/R. **I** think you should get a seat, provided there is room (no overcrowding or class-size-limit-overages).
The problem everyone has (or, I'll speak for myself) **I** have is that, from your list, WCPSS's NUMERO UNO priority is the diversity policy. It is what drove the MYR agenda, it is what drives assignment (or, in most cases) rejection of applications to Y/R schools from families that WANT year-round. It is (in my opinion) the reason behind 50% of reassignments (per annum). It causes a system of have's and have not's when looking at available electives at magnets vs. non-magnets.
I never ONCE have gotten the sense that EDUCATION comes first.
Everything else is just petty bickering in my opinion. And call me what you want, I think the BoE and Chuck and his friends WANT you guys to fight among yourselves. That diverts attention away from the REAL culprits.
Education SHOULD be the priority. And parental choice. Period.
I hear you...
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 13:36 — Eric_BRiversideRealist - I hear you and get what you're trying to say. The magnet school system needs an overhaul. There should never be non-magent schools that are forbidden from offering programs because only magnet schools can offer them.
As for diversity, I know WCPSS has research and data to back up the fact that when a school gets above about 40% F&R then overall academic performance drops steeply above that threshold. Well, that doesn't necessarily mean that busing to try to keep F&R below 40% is the answer to that problem.
Based on the data and research I've been exposed to, if you actually look at F&R students that have been bused to schools to reduce F&R percentage, they do no better. In particular, I'm referring to:
http://voiceforequity.blogspot.com/2008/02/how-does-f-affect-eog-passing-rates.html
Is busing actually helping the students who are being bused? If it's "for their own good" is it really helping them? I don't think there is any evidence to say that the answer to that question is yes.
Like you say, education should come first and all other secondary goals that the WCPSS has should be measured against that #1 goal.
http://www.edweek.org/ew/art
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 17:35 — AngelaWhttp://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2008/11/19/13funding.h28.html?tmp=983551723
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2008/11/06/12urban.h28.html?tmp=2108533784
http://www.crpe.org/cs/crpe/view/news/58
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2008/10/22/10math.h28.html?tmp=1110585747
Alternative Plans
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 11:54 — Eric_BHi Louise and everyone -
I'm curious as to what you all think the alternative is to year-round conversions to prevent schools from becoming overcrowded and to keep school operating and construction costs low. I'm being sincere here. I really want to know and I think the public as a whole would like to be informed of serious alternative proposals. Show some data and alternative student assignment plans.
It's easy to criticize the plans that WCPSS puts out for year-round conversions and student assignment, but it's much harder to actually come up with an alternative plan that achieves the goals of reducing overcrowding, guaranteeing a traditional calendar seat for all, promoting diversity, and keeping costs low.
How do we achieve all these goals without throwing at least one of them out the window? Let's all concentrate on the best way to achieve this without resorting to unnecessary personal attacks.
Louise, I'm directing this to you because I do know and respect the work that you've done. Thanks!
Do you know anything about
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 12:56 — Big_PictureDo you know anything about the Leesville Elementary conversion? Do you know that the families (and silently the staff members) fought tooth-and-nail against it and WCPSS did not care. They had tunnel vision and were determined to force MYR with no regard to families and staff concerns. They had Sycamore Creek on the horizon and refused to wait 1 year longer. Do you know how many empty seats are at Sycamore Creek now? 428. How many empty seats at Brier Creek? 195. That area of town has too many empty year round seats. Do you know that LES pleaded to be offered Hilburn as the traditional option? Of course Mr. Deleney will be happy to offer it now. He realizes that no one will take that option if he forces the middle school to convert to year round. That does not help Hilburn or Leesville. Do you know what opening Sycamore Creek and LES' MYR conversion did to Hilburn? Do you know that Hilburn has been given no assistance with the latest draft plan?
If you know any of that, do you think LES should have been forced to convert to year-round? Sincere question to someone who believes so strongly in forcing MYR on others. If the LES students were in the headcount of *traditional feeder students* this insane MYR conversion at the middle school would not even be a consideration.
I read that you are involved with the Bigger Picture group, so you might want to consider your sources. They are as entitled to give their opinions as anyone. Just understand that 3 parents who are unknown in the community and newcomers to the Leesville saga just might have a different opinion than the much larger group who have been around for years and have been involved much longer.
Thoughts?
I agree with you regarding LES
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 13:28 — Eric_BBig_Picture - I agree with you that the LES conversion to year-round appears to have been short-sighted and a mistake. The school board should have waited 1 year to see what Sycamore Creek's effect on Hilburn and LES would be before converting LES to YR. I'll agree with you on that. The facts speak for themselves.
I hate to see what is happening at Hilburn. My older daughter attended Hilburn in K-5 so I really do care about that school. I hope the plan can be changed in some way to benefit Hilburn.
All that said, I still do not see what changes can be made in regards to LRMS to handle growth. The school is filled to 106% capacity and over the past several years to accommodate growth spot nodes have been created and students bused past LRMS to other schools. How can that situation be fixed? What alternatives are there to converting from mandatory traditional calendar to mandatory year-round calendar?
This time we're not talking about waiting 1 year. We're talking about waiting 5-7 years to get a new middle school in the area.
Thanks Eric - you come
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 12:41 — louiselee44Thanks Eric - you come across as very sincere. I truly can't spend much time on this at the moment (getting ready to go out of town tomorrow, etc.), but will try to get back to you.
I hear what you're saying about criticizing and then doing nothing, and I am almost paranoid about trying to never do that. Believe me, I suggested alternative options many times, but mine were made before all of the conversions even took place. I knew how hard it would be to "undo" things once they were in place.
That's been one of my frustrations all along, and I've been very open about it. I don't think the School Board/Staff fully explored enough other viable options that might have prevented the mass conversions, or at least cut back on them. Viewed individually, the suggestions might not have looked like much, but a combination of other alternatives just might have helped. At least they should have been explored, and some "what-if-we-tried-this" scenarios examined in depth. If they turned out to be for naught, at least the leaders could say that they had exhausted all less "disruptive" options.
Now that we're in this situation? Wish I had an easy cure, but I don't....
I wrote many letters about this early on, and I promise to share my ideas with you. I might just send them to Keung to pass directly on to you.
Gotta go...
Still cheaper...
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 11:27 — supportwcpss480K over 10 years is still significantly cheaper then a new school. SO once again I fail to understand the issues of transportation costs.
Transportation costs could
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 12:47 — AngelaWTransportation costs could be better spent in the classrooms and/or teaching staff. So can unneccesary MYR costs.
EDUCATION NOT BUSING!
Silver lining
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 10:55 — SDR256Well, if the economy keeps shrinking and Wake County stops growing, maybe one silver lining is that we can eliminate Chuck Dulaney's job.
New?
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 11:28 — Dadof3SDR256, your post is so well written, I had to check that I didn't write it ;)
Chuck's a smart guy (I didn't say wise) I'm sure he can find work meddling in some other people's utopia.
Thanks for the support - it
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 09:14 — louiselee44Thanks for the support - it means a lot.
I have some last thoughts, then I'll move on - I have pressing family health issues that are a much higher priority than going back and forth with supportwcpss...
1) My heart goes out to anyone who seems to harbor so much anger, especially towards an individual - and someone who uses her full name.
2) The transportation info. is nothing new. I shared it with County Commissioners last spring, and requested it as a member of the Superintendent's Parent Advisory Council, on behalf of a group I met with at one of the Summit gatherings. Anyone could have obtained this. Those who question it should ask staff to explain it - not me - I quoted it, remember? I have plans to follow up on it.
3)The figures are no surprise to me, and the school board was warned of this ages ago - research supports such data.
4) Actually I did address the cost of new construction in my original post, right at the start.
5) If supportwcpss "knows all about" me, and has "worked within and around" the school system for 10 years, then he/she missed the additional 20 years that I have been involved with the system prior to that.
6) I harbor no ill feelings towards you, supportwcpss. I probably know who you are anyway, and am sorry that you feel the need to lash out. I hope you find some peace...
Our support and prayers
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 09:34 — Dadof3Louise -- you've been at the forefront of this movement from before I was aware there were these issues. Naturally, you'll make enemies, but as Wilson said, "If you want to make enemies, try to change something." Consider it a badge of honor for swimming against the tide
For our agnostic friends who support Louise, since you're uncertain of the value of prayers -- just send her money... ;)
"I know all about you Ms. Lee"
Wed, 11/19/2008 - 22:24 — louiselee44supportwcpss - Questions? I must have missed those-seriously.
"I know all about you Ms. Lee" Whoa - guess I won't bother answering any of your questions then. I'm intrigued though - you must be someone very close to me. Hmmm...
Community Services
Wed, 11/19/2008 - 21:21 — PrivateSchoolDadHow about eliminating the entire "Community Services" department? In the words of WCPSS, "Our department focuses on providing services to the community that are normally outside of the standard mission of Public Education." Seems like we can do with out adult education classes like "Acrylic Painint" and "Digital Photography" . These and other more important clasess can be offered through Wake Tech or City PArks and Rec programs.
http://cs.wcpss.net
answers to supportwcpss
Wed, 11/19/2008 - 18:12 — louiselee44supportwcpss - Your remarks about my comments are interesting:
"So I fail to understand the hoopla you are attempting to create." Hoopla I'm attempting to create?? If I've created any "hoopla", then it's taken its sweet time surfacing. I've been sharing facts about MYR schools for 8 or 9 years.
And, "Don't understand your logic Ms. Lee, but most people usually don't anyway. "
I was quoting a fact in my earlier post. Anyway, you're not the only one who doesn't understand logic. I've worked with school board members for years, and worked for WCPSS for 14 years. A lot of lost logic there, I'm afraid...
P.S. - Not that you asked, but many board members, WCPSS staff, etc. can tell you that I am fair about expressing both my support and my disagreements with the WCPSS.
Response
Wed, 11/19/2008 - 22:05 — supportwcpssYet you didn't respond to my questions regarding the numbers...I know all about you Ms. Lee so no reason for the biography.
I'm sure you do Patti Head,
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 10:47 — g88ky07I'm sure you do Patti Head, Lori Millberg, Chris Decker or Ann Goodnight!
Creepy
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 06:26 — Dadof3Creepy indeed.
I am becoming creeped out
Wed, 11/19/2008 - 23:04 — Big_PictureI am becoming creeped out by the way supportwcpss is stalking Louise Lee. If you really did know all about Louise Lee you would realize that you are going after the wrong person here. The problems lie with your beloved WCPSS. I have been around long enough to see how Louise interacts and treats the board members. I have witnessed the respect they have for her and how she conducts herself.
Louise has never had anything to hide. Why the obsession?
Ain't that the truth.
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 08:16 — BlogObserverAin't that the truth. supportwcpss needs to ring the bell so Mommy can bring his next meal down to the mold infested basement where he resides. Please go back to your video games and Star Trek reruns. For the most part WakeEd is educational and informational. Your kind of behavior belongs at WRAL. Obsessing over someone like that is freakishly odd. Just leave her alone.
Stalking...paranoia runs wild...
Wed, 11/19/2008 - 23:11 — supportwcpssStalking...no paranoia there. I also have worked within and around the school system for the last 10 years and I have kept track of Ms. Lee's positions on the issues. But that's irrelevant. My original point was regarding the mountain out of the mole hill with regards to transportation. She took a a typical media approach to the problem by exploding something that was obvious. I still don't understand how 480K for 2 months over 10 years compares to a brand new school.
Louise is doing the media's work
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 10:00 — Voice_of_Reason_If we had a fair press (Mr. Hui excluded), Louise would not be tracking all this. There is little, if any, investigative reporting about WCPSS. What you call obvious, the average public doesn't know. This type of information must be repeated, and repeated often to get the word out. IMHO, if we spend one dollar of taxpayer's money in the schools on something the children get no benefit from, it is waste. The busing issue is one of those areas where despite all the claims by WCPSS, they have yet to PROVE benefit. All they present are faulty studies from people who have agendas and comparisons with REAL urban school districts (Those with high population densities, unlike Wake county). People believe what the press presents and WCPSS does a good job with propaganda to support themselves. Most believe this is a racial bias thing when we complain, but in reality we complain about an expensive (and family hostile) program to help the school system look better vs. making the children do better. WCPSS complains at any negative press and put out unsupported rebuttal statements (the press never challenges them). I think many people have been fooled (I for one) into thinking this is a top notch school system from their propaganda machine. Especially in the AG program. They also make it sound like Magnet programs are the mainstream and are easy to get into, we know better (unless you live ITB). BL- Louise is providing a service. If you disagree, fine but provide facts to rebut her information.
And yes the fact you are involved in the school system and follow Louise's data is a bit creepy. I think she must be chipping away at the established power structure somehow.
Louise, the fact that you are making enemies should be encouraging.....you must be getting through to some.
No mountain
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 08:21 — SideburnsI disagree that Louise was making a mountain. Of course, $480K appears to be peanuts when comparing it to the cost of a new school. I didn't read where Louise compared those figures. Louise pointed out a valid concern -- something WCPSS and staff didn't include in their YR conversion costs. The CIP included "Conversion costs" but nowhere did I read about increased fuel costs. An additional $480K every year (and rising as more schools are converted) is a significant cost that taxpayers should be aware of. I find it incredible that a cost analysis of transportation is not included with every yearly reassignment plan. There must be a breaking point where the (assumed) benefits of busing outweighs the costs.