Here are some of the quick highlights from the $1.3 billion operating budget that interim Wake County Schools Superintendent Stephen Gainey presented today.
Gainey is asking county commissioners for an $8.3 million increase. Gainey is also proposing that the school board waive policy to allow the district to use $28.7 million of the $32.7 million in the fund balance to balance the budget.
School staff say they can use the $8.3 million in additional county dollars for things such as:
* $3.1 million to hire more fourth- and fifth-grade teachers to reduce class sizes.
* $1.4 million in extra magnet school funding for new and existing schools,
* $773,941 for the first year of a four-year program to phase in the hiring of a part-time technology facilitator to work at every school,
* $749.834 for teachers to attend workshops for training in the new common core curriculum being used statewide in math and reading.
School administrators are also warning that Wake could potentially be hit by $11 million in federal sequestration cuts that would largely impact Title I and special-education students. Those cuts aren't factored into the budget yet but are listed as footnotes to show what could happen.
UPDATE
Click here to view the budget proposal.
Comments
$1.4M
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 10:52 — Bob_Sconce$1.4 more for magnets. $0 to increase foreign language instruction in base schools.
Something's broken.
Something is broken, the public's trust!
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 14:14 — FSandYOUReason #412 not to support the bond.
It's all about magnets
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 12:21 — louiselee44I was teaching when the magnet program first started as a "diversity" measure, and as an "incentive" for average and high-achieving students to be bused into lower-achieving areas.
Believe me, on the part of non-magnet teachers, there was a lot of, "well good grief, if I had extra money, state-of-the-art equipment, etc., etc., (like the magnets), think of what I could do for my students!". Not jealousy - just frustration - and yes, resentment.
It wasn't fair then, and, in my opinion, never has been. For a while there, traditional schools were treated like the proverbial "step-child" of the WCPSS.
I'd like to see a side-by-side listing, by individual school, of subjects, etc. that are not available in non-magnets, but are no-brainers for inclusion (like your basic foreign languages and even band, chorus, etc.) vs offerings in magnet schools that are obviously non-essentials.
I agree. I think you've
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 11:21 — jenmanI agree. I think you've mentioned before that it's hard to actually get foreign language at WMS. A friend's daughter requested Spanish all 3 years at WMS and this year as a freshman at WHS. She didn't get it one single time (they cut fl her 6th grade year but brought it back for 7th & 8th). She's not in band or any other elective that would restrict her electives.
What are other people's experiences at their middle and high schools with foreign language availability? What about electives in general? This same friend's daughter only got 1 of her 4 chosen electives this year in 9th grade. The other 3 weren't even classes she picked as alternates. We were lucky that my son only got 1 elective that he didn't ask for and it's a good class that he likes.
ARgh....
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 12:18 — Bob_SconceThe "Oh, we know your daughter wanted a foreign language, but we don't have enough foreign language teachers, so we put her in metal shop instead" crap is exactly the sort of thing that will make me pull the tent out of the attic and camp out in the Principal's office until it's fixed.
As a parent of a rising 9th grader, that really isn't something I want to hear about.
Yes, I was shocked to hear
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 12:37 — jenmanYes, I was shocked to hear that her daughter didn't get Spanish in 9th grade. Especially since they actually recommend that college-bound students take I and II of a foreign language in 9th grade. Sadly, one of the electives that my friend's daughter got was one that she had absolutely zero interest in taking. She ended up with it in middle school too and was terrible at it & just hated it. Fortunately, she's got a positive attitude about it and is just dealing with it.
Only 2 of the maybe 10 or so 9th graders in German I this fall were actually able to get into German II for the spring. Other than that, we've been very pleased with the German program so far at WHS. The teacher is fantastic and there's a lot of individual attention because the classes are smaller and fewer. If my younger son ends up at WHS, I will encourage him to do German, French or Latin instead of Spanish for that reason.
My son did not take his
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 23:15 — jeffrey1My son did not take his first language (French I) until spring semester of junior year. French II online over the summer, and French III last fall. He's leaving for France (student exchange) in a couple of weeks, so hopefully he'll be able to find the restrooms.
Daughter wanted to take language in middle school - the only language the school offered was online, but...
Daughter was on the year round schedule, online course was on the traditional schedule. No French For You (that's my Soup Nazi impersonation, in case it wasn't clear).
No French For You--I love
Thu, 03/07/2013 - 17:03 — jenmanNo French For You--I love it. That's awesome that he's going to France. Were will he be?
He'll be staying in
Thu, 03/07/2013 - 22:01 — jeffrey1He'll be staying in Pontoise, about 40 minutes north of Paris - and he can't wait to get there.
The French students have been at Apex High School the past two weeks.
Electives
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 11:46 — CaryMomof4My daughter got her first 3 choices for electives in 6th grade this year at ECMS. But at only 60% or so capacity the school didn't offer as many choices as some middle schools. She was able to get Spanish. In 6th grade it's only one quarter, but will put her on track to be able to take Spanish in 8th grade for HS credit, if she can get in to the semester long elective in 7th. It does appear that they are offering more electives next year, but I couldn't tell if all of them will end up being available for all tracks.
How do they do electives at
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 12:02 — jenmanHow do they do electives at your school? I've not heard of non-magnets having 3 electives before, just one year long class like band or 2 semester long ones.
Argh...
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 14:32 — Bob_SconceI am beginning to hate the block schedule. So, band now occupies 2 out of 8 classes, or 1/4 of each students' time?
How many band students actually take band both semesters? Band, like Math and Foreign Language, is a class where long periods without exposure are harmful.
Speak up about it
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 17:12 — louiselee44There are many complaints out there about block scheduling, not the least of which is the potential to have a year's gap between sequential classes that build upon each other (foreign language, math, etc.).
Also, students take an AP class in the fall, and aren't tested on it until late spring. How fair is that?
Yeah...
Thu, 03/07/2013 - 00:11 — Bob_SconceUnfortunately, Kevin Hill is my board rep. He just doesn't care. Frankly, I think we have substantially better odds of getting into Raleigh Charter than of doing anything about the block schedule.
I heard Millbrook HS was
Thu, 03/07/2013 - 08:12 — loriacI heard Millbrook HS was going off the block schedule next year. It's the IB magnet and maybe another option.
I found into on the schedule
Thu, 03/07/2013 - 17:00 — jenmanI found into on the schedule change at MHS. http://mhs.wcpss.net/webcatnews/jan13/commmeetingPP.pdf
If you scroll down this page, the left hand side has a link to what I posted above as well as a link to Q&A about the change. http://mhs.wcpss.net/webcatnews/index.html
I think Millbrook is a great school and if they'd had computer science (programming), my son would have gone there in a heartbeat.
What are the advantages?
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 18:00 — CaryMomof4What are the advantages? Although I won't have one in high school for 2 more years, I guess now is time to start researching the pros and cons and lobbying for change if appropriate.
Life on a block schedule
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 18:37 — loriacBLock scheduling - advantages - the kids like it because they only have to focus on 4 classes at once. If one of those is weight training, lifetime sports ... then only 3 classes w/ homework. There's more flexibility if a kid fails a class - more opportunities to retake the class. Senior year - many kids drop the 1st or last class since they have all their credits to graduate (and sleep in, or leave early for a job).
Disadvantages - compressed schedule - how can you learn a year of language in half the time, or honors Geometry. The AP class problem - in fall, you have to wait to take the test, in Spring - you don't get the whole semester in before you take the test. Having to pay attention in a longer class - teachers may even do review and a test in the same class. Your kids will have quizzes and tests just about every day because of the compressed schedule. Don't have a sick day - it's like missing 2 days of school. And, don't get behind - it's almost impossible to catch up. Lack of continuity - waiting a semester between Spanish 1 and Spanish 2, is a good possibility.
The motivated student will do fine on the block schedule. For average students, you really need to stay on top of things. Add to the fact that SPAN is only required to be updated every 2 weeks and it gets challenging.
I agree - excellent post!
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 19:38 — louiselee44I think it hit me when they had new-parent orientation and the history teacher showed us his syllabus covering the entire rise and fall of the Roman Empire in one day (if I remember correctly). As a former teacher, I am quite concerned because it doesn't give students time to process anything, or build on what they're learning - the schedule demands plowing straight through - no time for a teacher to stop and say, "Okay, let's back up and go slower to make sure that you understand this concept before moving on." Especially bad for math.
I worry about lower performing students and students with certain learning disabilities that can't focus their attention for that long, or that need more one-on-one instruction. Some just have to zone out - or act up.
There are a lot of very sick students at school who absolutely won't stay at home for the very reason you mentioned - one day missed = two days worth of make-up. Just not worth it.
East Millbrook Middle went
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 21:23 — jenmanEast Millbrook Middle went to a regular schedule this year instead of their previous A/B schedule. Under the A/B schedule, the kids had four 90 min classes on A days and a different 4 classes on B days. Core classes lasted all year long as did foreign language, band & orchestra. Other electives switched out each semester.
When the school had a curriculum audit, one of the major findings was that the A/B schedule was not serving their population very well. E Millbrook has a higher than average percentage of struggling kids and the concern was that by not having core classes every day, these kids were not getting the consistency and reinforcement they needed.
So if only having your core classes every other day was not good for struggling students, what about going for an entire year without that instruction?
Sooooo...
Thu, 03/07/2013 - 11:30 — louiselee44It's not good for the struggling, not good for the high achievers (which is why systems have converted IB schools, etc. back to traditional) - surely not great for the others - so Wake County still has it. What does that tell ya??
The word "overhaul" comes to my mind when I think WCPSS.
Great post. My son had
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 19:00 — jenmanGreat post. My son had German I fall semester and will have to wait until spring semester of next school year to take German II. Not a good thing.
Band, dance, theatre,
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 15:14 — loriacBand, dance, theatre, yearbook are all great electives but you sacrifice potential AP classes due to the time commitment and scheduling limitations. For the kid trying to get into UNC or NCSU, it's a big decision. I don't think Enloe students on the non-block schedule are similarly impacted.
Yes, I was shocked to see
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 15:42 — jenmanYes, I was shocked to see that Tech Theater would take up 2 classes for my son. He had Tech Theater I last semester and thought about doing it next year but he has to sign up for II and III the same year.
Bob--I don't know how many kids only do 1 semester of band. IIRC, they can do Concert Band by itself in the spring sem but they can't do just Marching Band in the fall. If they want to do Marching Band, they have to take both semesters.
I'm not crazy about the block schedule. Courses that would normally be one semester long (Psych, history or eng electives, business, drafting, etc) are now a full year (compacted into 1 sem on the block sched). Are they really getting more material to turn it into a year long class or are they just stretching it to fit? Are some kids missing out on other classes they could be taking?
Hmm...
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 16:13 — Bob_SconceWith all the other activities our kids are involved in, I don't think I'd want to add Marching Band. Do you know why it's both semesters? I don't recall ever seeing the Marching Band at baseball games in the spring.
I suspect that block scheduling is mostly about helping the poor-performing students at the expense of everybody else by giving the poor-performers a second chance at classes they fail.
We also applied to Raleigh Charter, so if we're in the lucky 8% (or whatever it is), we won't have to deal with the block schedule.
Oops, I was wrong!
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 19:15 — jenmanEdited: I just looked at the registration info and it says all Band and Orchestra members must register for both semesters as it is a year round elective. I don't know where I read that other info but I swear I read it. Maybe for a different Wake County HS? Or perhaps I'm losing it.
I think that's exactly why we have the block scheduling--to allow lower performers to fail a class and still be able to retake it that same year.
Just one period per day.
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 13:01 — CaryMomof4Just one period per day. She has one that is a semester long and had 2 that only lasted one quarter (Spanish and art).
I'm glad that at least they
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 13:05 — jenmanI'm glad that at least they are doing the quarter long electives so the kids get a chance to experience more subjects. thanks for the info.
...
Tue, 03/05/2013 - 20:30 — Sideburns$1.4M more for magnets?
Keung--how much more money
Tue, 03/05/2013 - 22:46 — jenmanKeung--how much more money will we be spending for magnets if we don't get the grant?
You mean on top of the $1.4
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 00:38 — KeungHui (author)You mean on top of the $1.4 million extra in the budget? I don't think the local amount is higher if the grant doesn't come through.
Yes, on top of the $1.4M. If
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 10:32 — jenmanYes, on top of the $1.4M. If we don't get the grant, they are still opening the 3 new magnets and changing the program at 2. Is $1.4M enough to do that if we don't get the grant?
What is the $1.4M for if we do get the grant?
...
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 10:34 — SideburnsYes, I seem to remember that if the grant isn't approved, WCPSS is committed to funding the new magnets regardless.
Wake had to agree to fund
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 11:14 — KeungHui (author)Wake had to agree to fund the magnet programs at those five schools if the grant doesn't come. That doesn't mean they have to provide more money though to replace the grant. Wake has said that it would take longer to fully get those programs running using local and state dollars.
I'm guessing that the $3.1M
Tue, 03/05/2013 - 20:09 — jenmanI'm guessing that the $3.1M to reduce class sizes is for the yr schools issue recently highlighted. If that is so, how much more money are we spending on year round schools?
Why don't we see any $ for increased and improved programming for 'regular' schools?
3.1 million to reduce YR class sizes?
Tue, 03/05/2013 - 20:24 — FSandYOUNo heck we aren't! They have lost their freaking minds and although it will please some that Gainey has asked for something he will never get, he's asking for something that he will never get!!
Once the sequester cuts kick in, thanks to their liberal friends in the WH, they'll be forced with making real decisions almost immediately. Starting with addressing the waste at year round schools!
Forget about reducing class sizes. Not gonna happen.