The Wake County Republican Party is using an inside the Beltline vs. the suburbs message in its latest call to action for this fall's school board elections.
In the latest issue of the Elephant Express on Tuesday, Wake GOP Chairwoman Susan Bryant says that "this is the time for action." She praises the GOP school board majority, arguing they're making sure that resources and programs don't disproportionately go to Raleigh schools inside the I-440 Beltline.
"They are moving forward with a more equitable distribution of resources and programs across the county – not just inside the beltline," Bryant writes. "They have focused on teachers, students, and quality education."
ITB tends to be more Democrat and also has most of Wake's magnet schools.
Bryant also points to the recent Democratic fundraiser for school board candidates and the Wake County Democratic Party convention on Saturday.
"They declared that they must take back our schools. And, they mean it!," Bryant said. "Why else would our governor and two US representatives show up to a local county fundraiser?"
"If you become complacent, if you rest upon our successes of last year, if you cannot persevere in this struggle to keep conservative ideas and values moving forward, how long will it take them to undo our recent successes?" Bryant also writes.
Comments
Neighborhood schools - leveling the playing field?
Thu, 04/21/2011 - 02:19 — NCSU_fanIf neighborhood schools ever become a reality they will create schools with higher concentrations of low performing students, I think everyone can agree on that. Higher concentrations of students inherently means more work for teachers, i.e. retention processes, interventions, one-on-one instruction, etc. Trust me my wife is currently a 1st grade teacher at Brentwood E. (a predominantly economically disadvantaged school) who works 12-14hr days everyday. She was previously a 1st grade teacher in Cary that has significantly less economically disadvantaged students and she worked 10-12hr days. My question is should there be a tool such as increased pay or bonuses that these schools with high concentrations of low preforming students can utilize to hirer and maintain good teachers to level the playing field? She and all Brentwood teacher are looking for new jobs due to Race to the Top and this is one of the main issues she is weighing when determine where to apply. Why would teachers knowingly apply for positions at schools that require longer work days with no increase in pay?
Supply and Demand Economics
Thu, 04/21/2011 - 11:27 — Jeff_morseI feel that just like the Real World..... Supply and demand economics should be applied. If you have LOW perfoming schools that WCPSS should PAY MORE for GREAT teachers to increase the level of education in these schools. Could be pay and or Bonus. I would prefer a Bonus on performance for the teachers that accept these very Tough and Needed challenges.
It's a good idea, but just
Thu, 04/21/2011 - 12:04 — Andrew95It's a good idea, but just like a high quote doesn't mean good insurance, a high salary doesn't guaruntee a good teacher. Paying for teacher training courses, however, is a similar idea and would be more efficient.
So....
Thu, 04/21/2011 - 19:57 — Bob_SconceHigh salaries mean that you have more candidates to choose from. And that tends to improve quality. Of course, that assumes a rational employer, and we are talking about the government.
When Cary Academy opened, lots of people were upset because they hired away a bunch of teachers from Enloe. Why did they decide to switch jobs? Better working conditions, including better pay.
Money is the least
Thu, 04/21/2011 - 20:35 — Solon77Money is the least of it - we are talking teachers and teachers are not in it for the money. I know a number of teachers at private schools and in many cases the private schools pay less than public. Does anyone really think throwing an extra $2k a year at a teacher for a performance bonus at a high needs school is going to sway them from a Ravenscroft, Cary Academy, or anyone of the low needs public schools. Would you rather teach AP classes of high performing students or remedial classes where you are under the under a microscope everyday.
whats your proposal
Thu, 04/21/2011 - 20:49 — NCSU_fanOk, how do you propose they level the hiring playing field for these high need schools?
I agree!
Thu, 04/21/2011 - 20:19 — NCSU_fanIf competition is the driving force behind innovation why do people want to make schools mirror images of one another. Growing up my public school offered limited AP classes and no IB programs. Only after a charter school moved in the area that offered these things did the school expand these options in a attempt to prevent students (and their parents who provided monetary support) from jumping ship. Brentwood is a fine example of this in Wake County. Next year it will become a Race to the Top school which means that teachers will receive a signing bonus for joining and producing improved results. It had the longest line of interested teachers at the transfer fair held last week.
Let me add
Thu, 04/21/2011 - 20:45 — NCSU_fanLet me add, I completely disagree with Race To The Top and Renaissance programs because they place the sole blame of the failing school on corcccprbbec t teachers. These programs evaluate the last five years test scores to determine if they are a candidate for a complete overhauled. At Brentwood there was a 60% turnover in teachers last year alone. Matter of fact, there are only 3 staff members that have been at that school for 5 years or more. The majority of these teachers haven't contributed to any data set being evaluated. Why should they lose their jobs for something that they didn't contribute to. Arty Duncan said that Race to The Top will remove burnt out teachers form the classroom, and that's a good thing. Why don't we actually figure out why teachers are becoming burnt out. The education system will he handicapped when competing for great talent in the job market as long as we avoid these issues.
is that fair?
Thu, 04/21/2011 - 18:29 — NCSU_fanIs it fair to offer some teachers career development tools for free while others have to pay? But in reality, if your working 14hr days do you have time to take additional classes or training? Heck if your working 14hr days do you have time for anything?
14 hour days? 70 hour weeks?
Fri, 04/22/2011 - 17:55 — starsonours14 hour days? 70 hour weeks? do they also walk 5 miles to school everyday up hill both ways?
Heck, if your wife feels the same
Fri, 04/22/2011 - 08:59 — FSandYOUas you do maybe it's time for a career change. Just sayin'.
More of the same
Wed, 04/20/2011 - 09:15 — logosisdeadUs versus them politics in which the children are the pawns.
BTW shouldn't it be "ITB tends to be more Democratic?" Are we all leaving the "ic" off? Has the N&O changed it's editorial policy? Is "government schools" the new name for "public schools" yet? Are you quoting someone here?