Calls for Wake to do more to use federal stimulus dollars to reduce class sizes have only increased since traditional-calendar schools opened last week.
As noted in today's article, the reality of many classes with more than 30 students because of fewer teachers on the books has set in. You've got classes of more than 40 students in some rooms.
Gov. Beverly Perdue, State Board of Education Chairman Bill Harrison and the N.C. Association of Educators is contrasting how Wake used stimulus dollars with districts such as Winston-Salem/Forsyth that jumped all in to use the money to save jobs and keep class sizes the same at Title I schools.
Wake has repeatedly argued that stimulus dollars come with strings in how they can be used.
While critics say that's true, they also point to how districts can creatively use the stimulus money to free up state money to save jobs and hold the line on class sizes.
Sheri Strickland, president of the N.C. Association of Educators, said districts should focus now on using the money to lower class sizes for students and save jobs. She said districts can worry later about the stimulus dollars running out two years from now.
"Why wouldn't you keep the teachers in the classroom for the next two years and provide best education for the children you can?" Strickland said. "Hopefully two years from now we'll be in a better position."
Wake Supt. Del Burns stood by the district's decision to use only part of the stimulus dollars for job preservation. Wake is using a big chunk for job creation, namely 98 new positions in Title I schools for math coaches to work with teachers and for more pre-kinergarten classes.
Burns said they've set it up so that they can gain benefits from having those 98 jobs over the next two years. If they have to let those people go in two years, he said they would have helped "build capacity" from the work done by those new hires.
"We have created a better situation for the kids of 2023-24," Burns said of the pre-K classes being expanded through stimulus dollars.
Burns also said another reason to be cautious is that the state is already using $35 million in stimulus dollars to offset state cuts for non-teaching positions. He's not counting on the state making up that money in two years, which would force Wake to pick up the costs.
Jennifer Lanane, president of Wake NCAE, said she hopes the district will use the stimulus dollars for more job preservation after the 10th day of classes.
"The fact that we have classes with 30 to 35 students is distressing," said Lanane, who previously was an elementary school teacher. "Once you get above 25-30 kid in a class you can't meet the need of all the kids."
Comments
I can't help but wonder
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 22:14 — TrailerParkGirlafter trying to keep an extra 10 or 15 students engaged during class and correcting an extra 10 or 15 quizzes, how much energy and focus will the teachers have left to absorb the coaching they get from the math coaches? Also, I wonder if some of the needed improvements observed by coaches may end up being a result of teachers having too many students to be as effective as they would have been anyway with fewer students.
Also, if the WCPSS feels a better situation for the class of 2023-24 is needed by expanding pre-K resources where needed, shouldn't those be permanent positions funded with permanent dollars (if the theory is permanent positions shouldn't be funded with stimulus dollars)? What will happen to those expanded pre-K resources in two years? Do they go away? What will Dr. Burns say to the class of 2025-26 -- sorry the classes of 2023-24 and 2024-25 got a better situation, but you don't? What is WCPSS saying to the students currently in the system -- sorry, not only did you not get the pre-K resources from which you could have benefited, but you get the downside of larger class sizes in K-12 as well?
Concern for children
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 20:38 — SDR256"The fact that we have classes with 30 to 35 students is distressing," said Lanane, who previously was an elementary school teacher. "Once you get above 25-30 kid in a class you can't meet the need of all the kids."
I'm glad that Ms. Lanane can see the problem with the crowding. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Even with smaller class sizes they weren't providing for the needs for a lot of children. Only 30% of at risk kids passed EOG tests last year. Only 56% graduated, lower than Halifax County, criticized by Judge Manning as committing "academic genocide". It is a CRIME that so much money is going to administration and the teacher's ranks were butchered. A CRIME. And this teacher's organization is defending the wacky wednesday? Where are they on the topic of our FAT adminstration leading to such a distressing situation as this overcrowding and hairbrain ideas out of left field like wacky wednesday? This isn't about the bad economy. This system is choking the life out of the classrooms, and I think it must be some kind of political play for more money. Its outrageously cynical.
"So distressing." Really?
Tue, 09/01/2009 - 07:55 — rr77rr99"So distressing."
Really? Well, why don't the teachers open their mouths? I don't understand that NCAE organzation.
If the parents complain, we are just idiots that don't know what we are talking about, or even better, it's all OUR fault for living in Wake County in the first place.
This is just one big no win situation.
Double-Talk From Cathy Truitt
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 12:46 — CaryCurmudgeonMs. Truitt's interview on WPTF is posted here:
http://us.mg204.mail.yahoo.com/dc/launch?.partner=sbc&.gx=0&.rand=9kuisdcg42cas
Note that through most of her interview, she promotes magnet schools as an approach to helping low-income students.
Note her answer (or non-answer) when confronted with the fact that magnet schools do not help ED student performance...... rambling, back to talking about 21st century schools ---- vaporware.
follow-up for Keung
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 18:23 — louiselee44Thanks Keung - I was actually referring to speed limit signs that were put up a couple of years ago when the 20-some schools were converted to year-round.
Hmmm - seems like we could get the YR 20th day figures sooner.
So, dump the magnet program
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 13:45 — user12345So, dump the magnet program and put the magent money into low income schools to improve their performance?
Yes, that would be ideal.
Wed, 09/02/2009 - 12:20 — NWRaleighMomYes, that would be ideal.
You understand that would
Wed, 09/02/2009 - 16:34 — user12345You understand that would mean the schools would look the same with the same kids and teachers at the same cost but with out the magnet name? The only change would be people would not get turned down anymore since there would not be an application process. If that would make you feel better about not getting into the school by simply end the magnet name, I don't see where anyone would be hurt except you not being able to apply anymore.
TPG is correct. My kids'
Wed, 09/02/2009 - 23:45 — NWRaleighMomTPG is correct. My kids' high F@R school is much more deserving of additional funds than Wiley. We won't be able to apply - so what? We've already unsuccessfully applied for four years in a row.
But, realistically, I don't think it is going to happen. Too many powerful and connected people have their children in a magnet program.
Powerful and connected people
Thu, 09/03/2009 - 00:07 — TrailerParkGirlTrue and sounds like several public supporters of the current BOE/WCPSS administration too.
Unfortunately, they are not
Thu, 09/03/2009 - 09:05 — NWRaleighMomUnfortunately, they are not just someone as insignificant and laughable as Ms. Curtright. All school age children of members of Wake Democratic congressional delegation attend Magnet schools.
Sounds like you are confusing magnet with low-income schools
Wed, 09/02/2009 - 21:29 — TrailerParkGirlThey are not necessarily the same. A number of magnets are neither low-income schools nor in low-income areas. Some magnets are in the most expensive zip codes in Raleigh and some magnets have F&R% under 30%.
I think people are saying it would be better to use those funds for actual low-income schools and actual lower income areas. The way the system is set-up right now you are paying for some students living in $600K neighborhoods to go to a <30% F&R magnet school (in some cases near their house), meanwhile there are >50% F&R schools that are not magnets and do not get magnet level funding. Make sense?
Understand ... seems like
Thu, 09/03/2009 - 07:46 — user12345Understand ... seems like something so simple as a magnet program to draw kids from the suburbs to either underutilized or undesirable ITB schools while offering kids with special interests a more in-depth education has lost its way ... mission creep?
Not sure if creep or original intent
Thu, 09/03/2009 - 09:06 — TrailerParkGirlbut third angle is keeping the more well to do ITB residents there. Apparently, they think in order to get them there they have to offer them a spot at a school that is not only a magnet, but not higher F&R. Sad because kids whose parents can't afford to provide them extras do not get access and taxpayers are paying for extras for kids whose parents could provide them. But hey, as long as those property values are kept up that's all that matters.
The longer I live in Wake County, the more I'm beginning to understand just how messed up some priorities are here. Instead of "For the Children," it seems it is often "Forget the Children."
That's a great idea!
Wed, 09/02/2009 - 13:27 — rr77rr99That's a great idea!
Where are the Republicans
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 10:50 — user12345Where is the Republican Party in all this … they hate the stimulus … many of their governors refused it … they were applauded … doesn’t WCPSS get a pat on the back from the fiscal conservatives?
No....
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 11:11 — Bob_SconceWCPSS has already decided to spend the money (or most of it at least). The issue is where they're spending it.
You can make a decent case that WCPSS shouldn't take stimulus money at all. But, once they do, the fiscally prudent thing is to spend it appropriately.
one way to crowd less....curioser and curioser....
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 08:40 — AngelaWLeesville Kids. Durham Schools
http://venitapeyton.com/2009/08/leesville-kids-durham-schools.html
Anyone watching the various developments in the area (both during and after the Leeville exit off I-540) and the construction of the Leesville public school campuses would have expected all children to have these schools as their base. Which, we know isn’t the case with Wake County Schools.
But would you have thought that zip code 27613 would have children assigned to schools in Durham? Oakgrove Elementary, Neal Middle and Southern High schools?
http://www.visualtour.com/shownp.asp?t=1870200&prt=63
durham county
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 08:55 — loriacIt's in Durham county - the Durham county line is very close there. Gotta know what you're buying.
5545 Roan Mountain
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 08:57 — user12345The house is few hundred feet into Durham Co. ... why would they go to Wake Co. schools? It seems like the developer should have made the same arrangements that was made with Amberly to keep the neighborhood together. Also, I don't think the zip codes follow the country lines.
OT but a Q for Mr. Hui,
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 08:51 — g88ky07** Can you tell us why there was an article posted yesterday, as a recap from the "forum" on Saturday, of which I know you didn't write, but it has since been removed?
Is this common practice for the N&O to put up an article on education and then take it away? I don't think so, so I'm VERY curious where the article went and why it went away.
** Do you plan to post anything from that forum?
In a nut shell it had a few wrong facts, but also a few interesting quotes. Lois Nixon said something like, "busing is unavoidable. Schools are not like monopoly houses, you can't just pick them up and move them so the kids have to be bused to OUR new schools". To her wandering thoughts I say, WHAT??? Horace Tart was there dreaming about his Vo-tech dream again, but sounds like he offered up little else, as usual. John Tedesco was finally allowed to participate as he should have been. I'm sure had more REALITY to offer up than anyone else, and I hear had the loudest applauds, but I think we ALL deserve to know why he was originally told no, that the schedule was set and too tight to include him, to then be allowed to participate, as he should have been from moment one!
According to the article, 6 candidates were there and 30 people in the audience. THIRTY PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE! Sounds like Calla knows how to pull 'em in!
The article is still up
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 09:19 — KeungHui (author)The article is still up there. I don't know why you think it was removed.
This article was clearly moved
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 13:52 — g88ky07It is now located, if you search for it, buried in the "politics" area. How does a story about the school board "forum" get posted under education, as it should be, and then less than 24 hours later moved to a section where it will never be found by those following education?
Maybe because it had so many wrong facts in it?
I guess because only 30 people showed, and mostly status quo supporters at that, it's a "non-story" for the rest of us.
Go to the link below this post if you want a small recap of what the Saturday morning CCCAAC forum was like!
Well...
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 21:20 — supportwcpssThat is twice as many people then what showed up for the last WCSA meeting in Cary.
Aw, are you still sore
Tue, 09/01/2009 - 06:31 — CaryCurmudgeonAw, are you still sore because you didn't get an invitation? Give us your name and I'll be sure you get invited to the next one.
Oh, if you only knew. You're
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 23:14 — SDR256Oh, if you only knew. You're going to be in total shock on Oct. 7.
Try not to read a
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 14:30 — KeungHui (author)Try not to read a conspiracies into everything. The online editor says the story was posted to five sections on Sunday but the wrong expiration date was used for the education link. The politics section link is the one that was coded to stay on longer by mistake.
HA!HA!
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 21:23 — supportwcpssYou know the wingnuts are out when Mr. Hui even calls it out.
Well ...
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 18:41 — g88ky07Things are what they appear much of the time. Certainly doesn't seem to be the case with you personally, but I have much doubt about many others.
Shall we ask the questions about why someone was told they couldn't participate in a "forum" and then after a little noise is made they suddenly get to? I mean how busy could the schedule have been with 6 candidates and 30 listeners?
It's hard not to think a lot of things, but thank you for what YOU do!
link
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 09:00 — loriacIs this the article?
http://www.newsobserver.com/146/story/1667630.html
That'd be the one
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 11:58 — g88ky07Thanks.
$$
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 06:34 — louiselee44Keung - Could you find out how much it cost the county to put up new speed limit signs when the massive conversion to year-round took place a couple of years ago? Thanks!
Also, I might have missed it, but have the numbers for 20th day membership in the YR schools been published yet? Thanks again...
The blog post last week
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 07:02 — KeungHui (author)The blog post last week mentioned that it could cost as much as $30,000. It's Raleigh and the DOT that are responsible for paying for the new signs, not the county. The costs wern't finalized yet because they were still working out how to update the signs.
Haven't run any 20th-day numbers yet for year-round schools. Off the top of my head, I think it's usually published at the same time the 20th day numbers are released for traditional-calendar schools.
$$$
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 07:20 — louiselee44Thanks Keung - I was actually referring to speed limit signs that were put up a couple of years ago when the 20-some schools were converted to year-round.
Hmmm - seems like we could get the YR 20th day figures sooner.
What are the priorities?
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 06:23 — woodstockOne has to question Burns' priorities in cutting teaching positions and electing to spend stimulous dollars on other things. All the other things pale in comparision to having teachers in the classrom when it comes to the business of educating our children. You can have all the administrators, technology, and facilities in the world, but if you do not an appropriate ratio of teachers to students, instruction suffers. This basic truth seems to be lost on Burns and the Wake BoE. A top priority must be to retain teachers; they are the lifeblood of education.
Ms. Lanane ....
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 06:07 — rr77rr99Ms. Lanane .... "distressing"!
Maybe you should have been fighting for smaller class sizes instead of early release Wednesdays.
Let's get the priorities straight here.
Also, regarding the class sizes, not only are they over stuffing the brick and mortar rooms, but the trailer rooms and the trailer rooms are like prison cells now. You can't MOVE! It's ridiculous. Isn't there an OSHA regulation on how populated those trailers and PODS can be? There's got to be a violation in this some where!
If you are packing 30 - 40 kids in classrooms, at least do it inside the buildings and not out in the trailers too!
Where exactly is the chaos?
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 08:25 — g88ky07Are these classes that are busting at the seams in forced year round schools or traditional schools? Our FORCED year round school will soon have plenty of room in our class because they've hired another teacher for that track and are splitting up the class yet again. Some have been told either your child goes back willingly to the track we forced you off of not long ago, or we'll force them back anyway! How's that for ridiculous! This is happening in Horace Tart's district btw, all while he is dreaming about a vo-tech program!
I know of MYR schools that
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 10:20 — rr77rr99I know of MYR schools that it is happening in and no new teacher hires, because they sizes are not up to 40 I guess, only in the 30's. It's insane.
Hey, what's so bad about a Vo-Tech school? Just askin'
Absolutely nothing wrong with Vo-Tech
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 12:01 — g88ky07but when all you do is talk about one small time goal for four years, and vote against parents and children at every opportunity, I think many of us get tired of hearing about a narrow minded "one goal" vision!
Past time for Mr. Tart to step down, or better yet, be defeated!
A vo-tech school would be
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 10:54 — CaryCurmudgeonA vo-tech school would be great, more than one would be even better. Horace Tart has been talking about it for four years.... and talking.... and talking.... But he hasn't gotten a thing done. We even footed the bill for Horace and others to make a trip to Atlanta and see what they are doing for vo-tech. No resulting action. Time for Horace to step aside and yield to others who can do more than talk.
Excellent point,
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 12:08 — rr77rr99Excellent point, Mudge.
I would welcome some VoTech opportunities for students. This county needs those options for kids, but yes, if Tart likes to take trips and talk about it, and not be able to build support for his mission and spend all this time being lead around by the nose by the others (er)... then, yes, time to go.