The WakeEd blog is devoted to discussing and answering questions about the major issues facing the Wake County school system. How much will the new Democratic majority on the school board do to undo the changes made by Republicans since 2009? Will the new student assignment plan be a hybrid of the last two models or primarily be a return to the use of busing for diversity? Who will replace Tony Tata as the new superintendent of the state's largest district? How will voters react to a likely request in 2013 to borrow potentially more than $1 billion to build and renovate schools?
WakeEd is maintained by The News & Observer's Wake schools reporter, T. Keung Hui. While Keung posts information and analysis on the issues, keep us posted on your suggestions, questions, tips and what you're doing to cope with the changes in Wake's schools.
The state Supreme Court has granted Wake CARES' request to hear the year-round case.
The high court also left in place the stay blocking the appellate decision that said parental consent was not needed. It's going to be several more months before this legal fight is over.
UPDATE
Click here for the online story.
Comments
Keep Fighting For The Families
Sat, 08/30/2008 - 10:25 — Lisa_BOn this Labor Day Weekend, I just want to once again say THANK YOU WAKE CARES for all you've done on behalf of the families of Wake County.
The "positive buzz" felt around the Leesville community this week has been such a welcome atmosphere after the divisive MYR Mess. I'll even go so far as to say that people (myself included) have been a little bit GIDDY as we think that there actually might be hope that we'll finally get rid of MYR in Wake County.
(as I say this, I'll also say that I realize what crazy moves they've made this past 2 years so we're still far from a "slam dunk")
HAPPY WEEKEND!
ok, I am "wiki"ed out for
Thu, 08/28/2008 - 16:15 — bigwinnieok, I am "wiki"ed out for today, are these stats still true today? (95% I'm sure we aren't there!)
THE 95 PERCENT GOAL
In July 1998, school leaders promised
that 95 percent of all students would be at
grade level by 2003. The goal triggered
significant improvement, although test
scores fell a few points short and have
since leveled off at about 91 percent.
WAKE’S GRAD RATE NO. 2
AMONG BIG U.S. DISTRICTS
Wake’s high school graduation rate is
second-highest among the nation’s 50
largest school districts, according to a
report by Education Week, a national newspaper.
The report, based on the class of
2003, put Wake’s graduation rate at
82.2 percent, behind top-ranked Fairfax
County, Va., at 82.5 percent. The report said
the nation’s overall graduation rate was
70 percent for the same year. Charlotte-
Mecklenburg was ranked 26th at 56 percent.
same bat time, same bat channel (two years later)
Thu, 08/28/2008 - 16:12 — bigwinnieTHURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2006
THE VOTING BLOCS
A number of ad-hoc voting blocs on the school bonds will rise up over the next few months. How the bond issue fares will depend on the size of each.
WHAT’S NEXT
WAYS TO HAVE A VOICE
PTA MEMBERS
The diehards who vote for every school bond religiously,
then stand on a busy street corner holding
handmade signs urging others to do the same. They are
a crucial constituency but not enough to put the bond
issue over the top.
TEACHERS
School district employees are also regular bond supporters.
With some classes meeting in closets and band
rooms, they will be even more motivated this time. At
17,000 strong, school employees could swing a close race.
GREEN EYESHADERS
Upset over the transportation department fraud and
Garner cafeteria embezzlement cases, they don’t trust
the school district to spend its money wisely. Tend to vote
with the anti-taxers, but are more angry about accounting
standards and budget choices. It remains to be seen
whether they’re a vocal minority or silent majority.
ANTI-TAXERS
The diehards who religiously oppose any school bond
that would raise taxes. Proposed tax increases in Raleigh,
Garner, Zebulon and Wake County could turn up the
simmering resentment among these voters, and anti-tax
groups like the Wake County Taxpayers Association and
Americans for Prosperity will stir that anger. Flexed
their muscle in ’99, when bond issue was defeated.
SLOW GROWTHERS
Upset by traffic, crowded schools and development
everywhere, some may take out their anger on the
school bonds, while others may decide that bonds are
the lesser evil and push for impact fees and alternative
taxes or growth management measures.
BUSINESS LEADERS
Chamber of Commerce members and leaders of businesses
that depend on a well-trained work force want
good schools to help lure new employees. Not enough
of them to make a difference, but they could motivate
workers to turn out.
YEAR-ROUND HATERS
Parents who don’t want to give up the traditional
schedule are fighting school district plans to convert
16 to 30 existing schools to the year-round calendar. They
don’t love the plan, but they’ll likely support bonds to
keep more schools from going year-round. Parents
whose children have already gone year-round may sit
out the election.
CHILDLESS VOTERS
Singles, childless couples and the elderly may decide
this isn’t their fight unless they see school spending as
a quality-of-life issue or intend to have children one day.
It will be hard to pass a bond referendum without some
support from this group.
COMPILED BY RYAN TEAGUE BECKWITH
"YEAR-ROUND HATERS Parents
Sat, 08/30/2008 - 12:26 — shank56"YEAR-ROUND HATERS
Parents who don’t want to give up the traditional
schedule are fighting school district plans to convert
16 to 30 existing schools to the year-round calendar. Theydon’t love the plan, but they’ll likely support bonds tokeep more schools from going year-round. Parents
whose children have already gone year-round may sit
out the election."
___________________________________________
So now we agree that months before the last bond vote, the conversion of schools to a YR calendar was part of the bond plan and assumptions as agreed by the WCPSS and CC. Information was posted in the N&O, on the WCPSS website, adn on the Wake County GOV website.
Many of you were adamant that YR conversion was not part of the bond . Looks like bigwinnie has proved you were not paying attention.
MYR and the bond
Sun, 08/31/2008 - 18:17 — SideburnsHere's an email from Virginia Parker who was a Friend of Wake County, former Wake County PTA president, Wake Ed Partnership chair, and works in commercial banking in Wake County. She posted this on the Wake PTA yahoo group to encourage others to vote "yes" for the '06 bond and states YR has little to do with the bond. Lies, lies, lies, yea-ah...
We Paid Attention AND Were Lied To
Sat, 08/30/2008 - 22:34 — Lisa_BI know I'm not the only one who was VERY involved when CIP 2006 was put together, AND who had HUGE concerns about MYR, AND who thought we did need more money to build new schools.
Unfortunately, I was also one who was LIED TO regarding MYR and The Bond being "related". After seeing that YR conversions were mentioned in the bond, MANY people asked in MANY different forums and were told "MYR and the bond are 2 separate issues...vote FOR the bond and you won't have to worry about MYR".
SURPRISE....fool me once, shame on you. I won't be fooled again with false assurances this time around.
Hearing Rosa Gilll say "IF we get a large enough bond, then we'll consider converting some MYR schools back to traditional" is a reminder of the carrot that was dangled before the last bond was voted on. This time, IF they get rid of MYR first THEN there may be a chance that they'll garner support for the next bond. IF MYR STAYS, NO BOND.
Year-round haters
Sat, 08/30/2008 - 13:41 — Dadof3What a funny name. For the record, we like year-round as an option and considered it at Morrisville. However, we lost that choice with the current Ed Junta. We resent (not hate) having to shift everything to accommodate what is historically and nationally a resounding failure of a schedule, ribbons be damned.
I'm filling my imaginary inventory of cross-East River bridges for parents who think that approving the next bond will positive impact the niumber of mandatory year-round schools.
Holly, call the media!
Thu, 08/28/2008 - 14:32 — g88ky07Holly, call the media and BEG them to take your story. Tell them the public deserves to know why and YOU deserve better!
Call Monica LaBusyBody if need be!
media
Fri, 08/29/2008 - 18:56 — holly (not verified)I have e-mailed the News and Observer, Emailed Monica and E-mailed channel 17 news. I will keep trying until someone listens and does something. In the mean time I have written a letter that I am sending certified to all of the County commissioners, school board members and members of the Supreme Court. I want them to know that Wake School Board continues to deny people seats at the year round schools and then blames the parents that they are under enrolled.
Holly
Welcome Holly
Fri, 08/29/2008 - 20:36 — Voice_of_Reason_You have had your eyes open to what a lot of smart people have experienced. Now armed with that knowledge get allies and make waves, don't give up. We are starting to chip at their power, but it takes votes and to get that, a lot of eye awakening.
bigwinnie, where did you get
Thu, 08/28/2008 - 14:29 — g88ky07bigwinnie, where did you get this from? Is this official Michael Evans BS/SPIN?
Looks Plan B it is then! Their will be NO BOND SUPPORT and you can threaten until the cows come home. Once you convert ALL the other schools and split shift the HS there will NOT be a single parent left in Wake County on ANY school board member's side and the end will be on hand!
You've NEVER had a Plan B until now school board, glad to see you've learned your lesson.
PLAN B it is!
http://www.newsobserver.com/1
Thu, 08/28/2008 - 15:53 — bigwinniehttp://www.newsobserver.com/1181/story/453098.html
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2006 Q:
Thu, 08/28/2008 - 14:05 — bigwinnieTHURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2006
Q: Will these year-round conversions be permanent?
A: School leaders say they hope the conversions are temporary
and that they can move back to the traditional calendar
at some point. But with the district projected to
add another 72,000 students by 2015, converted schools
are expected to remain year-round for a long time.
3,000
More students could be educated by converting 16 to
30 elementary schools to year-round
33%
Potential gain in seats at a school by converting to
year-round; actual gain usually 20 percent to
25 percent
16
Year-round elementary schools in 2006-07 school year
49
Total year-round elementary schools in 2007 if 30
are converted and three new ones open
DOES WAKE HAVE
ALL THE LAND IT NEEDS
FOR NEW SCHOOLS?
No. Wake County expects 17 new schools
to start opening in 2008, and school
district staff members generally know
where they will be built. But the district
owns the property for only eight of those
schools. Another group of 13 schools is
expected to begin opening in 2011, and the
district owns the land for only one.
The district does not have the money to
buy all the land it will need. Money from
previous bond issues has been spent. The
district has chosen to address other needs,
such as renovations and construction,
instead of “banking land,” and the county
has not allocated more for that purpose.
TWO SCENARIOS FOR WAKE SCHOOLS
THE CURRENT SPENDING PLAN
Total amount: $1.056 billion
Estimated bond amount: $970 million
Property tax increase: 4.7 cents per $100 of assessed value, or $70.50 more per
year on a $150,000 home
Year-round impact: 16 to 30 elementary schools would be converted to year-round
in 2007. Some middle schools might also be converted.
New schools: 17 (11 elementary, four middle, two high schools)
Major renovations: Cary, Enloe, East Wake High; East Millbrook, Martin Middle; Lynn
Road, Aversboro, Lacy, Root, Poe, Wilburn, Bugg, Smith Elementary
Other expenses: New trailers, land for 13 future schools, five ninth-grade
centers, year-round conversion costs, technology replacements, child nutrition
warehouse
PLAN B*
Total amount: $625 million
Estimated bond amount: $0 (The county would pay for school construction in
a different way.)
Property tax increase: None in the short term (Taxes would go up to operate
new schools as they open.)
Year-round impact: Most, if not all, of 100 elementary and middle schools would
be converted.
High school impact: Possible split sessions, with some students attending in the
morning, others in the afternoon
New schools: Fewer schools are likely, depending on how much is spent on renovations.
Major renovations: Most, if not all, would be deferred.
*Likely scenario if the bond referendum is defeated by voters
wow anyone remember this
Thu, 08/28/2008 - 13:51 — bigwinniewow anyone remember this classy act?
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/education/wake/school_bond/story/499775.html
"Gothy type teens " as I
Sat, 08/30/2008 - 12:05 — shank56"Gothy type teens " as I recall. If its the same group , they hit on some other houses/businesses in the area.
Re trailers.... I do
Thu, 08/28/2008 - 12:36 — rr77rr99Re trailers.... I do believe we were all sold the same bill of goods with the last bond. MYR will mean no trailers. Instead, more were brought in.
Lied to.
it's all a bill of goods.....
Thu, 08/28/2008 - 13:54 — bigwinniehttp://www.wakegov.com/budget/bonds/2006/bondfactstoconsider.htm
2006 School Bond: Challenges & Solutions
WCPSS School Facility Challenges:
2006 School Bond Funding Plan:
I have a school a block away
Thu, 08/28/2008 - 10:05 — holly (not verified)I have a school a block away that is a year round school. My daughter goes to the middle school. My son was denied a seat for the 4th or 5 year now in the Elementary school. I have done everything from going before the school board to writing all the officials. They are now busing him over 5 miles away. He does not get home until 5:00 pm unless I pick him up. Having 4 children in 4 different schools all over the city has been terrible. I have one in private school because she could not get into the year round school by my house either. Why is the school board denying seats to the people who apply to the year round schools and then crying that the year round schools are under enrolled. I would love the news and observer to do a story on how many applicants where turned down for a seat at the year round school. We need to get every board member off the board and re-elect board members who are for educating our children and for keeping our families together in our neighborhood schools. Let's take our schools back and get the sense of communtiy back into them. Think how many more people would volunteer at their schools if they lived within 3 miles of them. I'm not going to drive 5 or 6 miles to volunteer at my school everyday. Let's stop the busing, put the money we save from the busing back into hiring more teachers, tutors for kids who need them, and programs that are going to help all our children. Let's put our american families first!!!
you seem to have forgotten
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 20:06 — proudmom (not verified)bigwinnie and LisaB that before the conversion the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade were in trailers.
They're STILL in trailers at LES
Thu, 08/28/2008 - 11:48 — Lisa_BHi proudmom:
Are you talking about Leesville? My 3rd grader and 5th grader are in "neighboring trailers" out in our lovely "mobile village" and the entire 4th grade is in a modular too.
I actually didn't have a problem with mobiles or modulars when we were traditional, since it allowed us to keep the schedule that we all wanted.
MYR promised NO trailers, and SURPRISE, they didn't all go away. I think only a few were actually moved but most of them are still at Leesville.
I am one who wants the SCHOOL and the TEACHERS and if we're in a mobile or modular, FINE. I just know that it's not any different than when we were a traditional school EXCEPT the teachers, staff members, and families were MUCH HAPPIER on the traditional calendar.
If WCPSS actually listens to the families again, I remain hopeful that we WILL be a traditional school again in 2009.
which ones and what years?
Thu, 08/28/2008 - 11:26 — bigwinniewhich ones and what years?
there are no seat
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 16:28 — bigwinniethere are no seat gains....to prove their spiteful point since Leesville was under-enrolled last year, they changed it to an application school, now we are STILL under the enrollment "projections" (and lost staff because of that) and so now they had to combine classes, 2 first grades at 29 students (where is the gain there?) and STILL 17 trailers outside with 4th and 5th graders outside as they have been....WHERE IS THE GAIN? someone tell me the gain. LES operated on a TRADITIONAL Calendar with about the same numbers and OVER what we have now (with LESS trailers) for years and class sizes were in some cases better than they are in most cases equal. WHERE IS THE GAIN?
show me the money gains, certainly not in transportation. Show me the monetary gains, certainly not in utility bills. show me the gains.....
Se what I like best about numbers is......THEY DON'T LIE, they DON'T have OPINIONS, they don't have a SIDE...they are what they are and I say, SHOW ME THE GAINS?!?!
Waiting For The Blame And Spin
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 16:38 — Lisa_BAmen Wiki-Angela!
There ARE no gains. It's all out in the open, and the numbers do NOT lie.
What will be the "spin" on the news tonight????
Wouldn't it be nice if the spin would STOP and from here forward they'd be accountable and transparent in all decisions??
(yes, dreaming again!)
will you please SHARE what
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 16:40 — bigwinniewill you please SHARE what you are drinking over there?! :+)
(bless your heart!)
Drinking In The GOOD NEWS
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 17:27 — Lisa_BWhy, bless YOUR heart little miss WINNER, I'm drinking in the sunshine on this beautiful day.
OH---my bad, guess there is not any sunshine outside, just a HAPPY FEELING IN THE AIR after this great news.
Anxiously Awaiting some GOOD NEWS after this monumental decision. It's been a LONG 2 years and it sure would be nice to be done with MYR for good.
(back to homework!)
Wake up Skank!
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 15:06 — shearertwWake up Skank!
YR is not providing additional seats now! In fact, enrollment is currently lower at a number of the YR schools than when those schools were traditional. I actually see going away from MYR as increasing the available seats due to the efficiencies of the traditional calendar.
The only thing we need to be mindful of is that total enrollment may go up a little because of some people returning to the system if there are more "acceptable" traditional calendar options.
Thanks to Wakes Cares and the S.Court of NC
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 14:56 — Anonymous (not verified)A slight glimmer of hope in the ever darkening Waks County Public School System. Maybe I will not have to get a 2nd job to put my kids in private.
So if MYR is overturned ,
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 14:24 — shank56So if MYR is overturned , will not the CC be on the hot seat to ensure that an adequate number of seats and facilities are provided - regardless of what the taxpayers may approve (or not approve) in a bond referendum?
CC Voted to NOT fund MYR, BoE forced it anyway
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 16:23 — Lisa_BWe can't forget that when the facts were on the table in January 2007, the CC voted to NOT fund the MYR conversions, and the School Board chose to force MYR on 22 schools anyway.
This was a HUGE blunder (and slap in the face) on the part of WCPSS and hopefully the CC can exercise some authority to INSIST that MYR is discontinued which would help both boards get a new bond approved.
The past is the past, and I would like to see WCPSS stop blaming and start ACTING so that families will be back together and the school system will focus on EDUCATING our kids again...
No MYR = Bond Support , MYR=Bond Defeat
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 16:20 — Lisa_BStrictly my opinion, but if they overturn MYR and actually HELP families (BEFORE a new bond vote), I think that's the only way they'll get support for a bond to build new schools.
If they continue to pursue MYR after how miserably it's failed and how much money is being WASTED operating under-capacity YR schools, the bond will NEVER pass.
If they need more money, they'd better start listening to the parents and making family-friendly changes, NOT insist on continuing down the path of crazy reassignments & unwanted (and unnecessary) calendar changes.
;)
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 14:22 — rr77rr99What rain? What a sunny day! LOL
Okay folks, here's the thing, this is great news and all, but if it does not go WakeCares way, WCPSS will beat every single parent up more if they supported this effort because of all the "wasted money" and because they had to waste so much money on legal fees, they MUST PASS THE NEW BOND.
Now, if they lose, they will need to pass a bond (because of the wasted money) to build more schools because of the over crowding.
Speaking of over crowding.. totally off topic.. Hui..what do you know about MCHS and Cary HS being under enrolled while kids sit in the hallways at Panther Creek for classes? Whose brilliance do we have to thank for that? Word on the street is, there's an October reassignment coming up that may move freshman out of their current high schools back to where they came from Cary or Middle Creek.... any word on that gem?
BoE can end it now - Why waste the court's time.
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 13:20 — Voice_of_Reason_or the taxpayer's money!
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 13:44 — bigwinnieor the taxpayer's money! aren't "we" footing the legal bills for the schools? can't we, as taxpayers, say something about that (Im pretty sure of the answer, but it's a principle thing)
Drinks on me!
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:24 — g88ky07Hey Lisa B.,
drinks are on me! it may be another big ole carrot, but ain't it nice to dream JUST a little longer!
Maybe Kookla, Fran and Ollie were simply the 3 stooges SOME of us thought they were and Manning had it right all along, when all is said and done.
And right after I finish winning the 100 meter race this afternoon against Mr. Phelps I'll wake up and have another!
:c )
Time To SMILE
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:52 — Lisa_BHey g88ky07:
Sounds great. What are you serving? I think I may just run out to treat myself to a STARBUCKS drink when I finish school supply shopping. (actually, the teacher wish list I'm shopping for today is longer than the school supply list)
So, you're racing Michael Phelps? I hope you win on adrenaline alone! I'm sure there is a joke or a spin in there somewhere, and I'll leave that up to you. :) I'll just be happy with the TRUTH for now---SOMEONE actually understands that MYR is just plain WRONG...HURRAY!
Thanks again Wake Cares. (and State Supreme Court too)
AMEN!
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:15 — Anonymous (not verified)I am so happy to hear that the Supreme Court is listening to the families of Wake County! Think of all the money WCPSS could have saved if they would only listen to us!
Thanks, WakeCARES, thanks S.C. No thanks, BoE(eR) + WCPSS
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:09 — Dadof3It is so sad that we have to go to this extreme for a parent-friendly educational system.
Ditto - THANKS WakeCares
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:15 — Lisa_BHi Dad:
You're absolutely correct---it's sad that we have to go to this extreme, but we're fortunate that Wake CARES is the "little engine that could" and they keep chugging away for us.
If nothing else, MYR has woken up many parents and Wake County has so many involved and informed parents who aren't going to allow "business as usual" to occur without a challenge.
THANKS WAKE CARES.
SOMEONE does understand our plight!
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:59 — Lisa_BWOW, this is the BEST NEWS I've heard in a long time.
THANK YOU Supreme Court for seeing this mess for what it really is.
I can only hope that now WCPSS will realize that they need to put together a more realistic and FAMILY FRIENDLY assignment policy since they can't pack the MYR schools the way they want to.
Time will tell...
(thanks for the up-to-the-minute updates Mr. Hui!)