Here's Wake Schools Community Alliance's response to today's court ruling:
Regarding The NC Supreme Court Ruling Against Choice in Wake County Schools
Wake Schools Community Alliance (WSCA) is extremely disappointed in today's North Carolina Supreme Court ruling that Wake County Public Schools System (WCPSS) has the right to assign students to Year Round calendars on a mandatory basis. In their ruling, the Supreme Court stated "We recognize the emotional nature of this case, but we must emphasize that our duty goes no further than to determine the legal authority for implementing mandatory year-round schools, not the wisdom of such a decision."
Today's ruling has severe ramifications for Wake County families. The previous stay granted by the Supreme Court extended parents rights to opt out of Year Round assignments and continue to enroll their children in traditional calendar schools. This school year, 2,597 Wake County students exercised that opt-out right. The Supreme Court's ruling removes the stay, and grants WCPSS authority to reassign all of these students to their base Mandatory Year Round (MYR) schools.
For too long, the Wake County School Board has set policies without regard to their impact on family life or quality of education. The detrimental effects of MYR on families are known, as are the damages caused by the School Board's overall assignment policy. Now, more than ever, it is important that the citizens of Wake County work together and hold our School Board members accountable for their policy decisions. As Judge Edmunds stated in his opinion, "Plaintiffs have the ultimate remedy of the ballot box." In fact, WSCA believes that the only remedy Wake County citizens have is at the ballot box based on the School Board's longstanding record of ignoring citizen input.
Four seats on the Wake County Board of Education are up for election on October 6th. WSCA is committed to endorsing and electing candidates for those seats who will support Voluntary Year Round assignments. Success in those four elections will result in a School Board majority which will quickly end Mandatory Year Round assignments.
WSCA has an open invitation to all Wake County citizens to join our group and help achieve our immediate goal of electing four new School Board members who will remember that citizens are at the top, not bottom, of the government organization chart. Our next meeting is Saturday, May 9th, in Morrisville; All are welcome. Please visit our web site at www.wakesca.org to learn more about WSCA.
Comments
I agree with Falc--the
Mon, 05/04/2009 - 09:25 — jenmanI agree with Falc--the inability to fill the YR schools was not due to the court ruling, it was due to WCPSS's implementation of the diversity policy. I do believe that a few conversions were indeed about increasing capacity, but the majority of them weren't about capacity at all. They were about 'diversity'.
At the work session (Oct? Sept?) where they demagnetized Broughton and voted to convert LRMS, Patti Head even said TWICE, "We could fill the year round schools from the applicant pool". But she also stated elsewhere in the conversation that there are people who want YR but it messes up the diversity numbers.
Its not about capacity.
It was NEVER about Capacity
Mon, 05/04/2009 - 09:44 — Lisa_BHey Jenman:
You are absolutely correct. The funny thing was, Patti Head "sold" the MYR conversion at LRMS to her counterparts as a solution to "excessive growth with no relief in sight". Shortly thereafter Growth management confirmed that growth in the area was flat/negative, so the reason for the conversion instantly changed to "to clean up feeder patterns and increase peer continuity". Chuck Dulaney shuffled the nodes around to clean up feeder patterns and increase peer continuity, which resulted in FEWER STUDENTS ASSIGNED TO LRMS FOR 2009-10 THAN ARE CURRENTLY ASSIGNED TO THE SCHOOL.
Some of the maneuvering that goes on completely lacks character and borders on unethical, but unfortunately no one is willing to do REAL investigations where they truly INSIST ON THE TRUTH. So, thousands of families are subjected to unjustified policies year after year.
I am SO thankful to Wake Cares for all they did, and SO excited about WSCA. Even with the WASTEFUL and UNJUSTIFIED MYR conversion at LRMS, at least we can look forward to October and finally having a responsive board member working FOR our community.
Hopefully Wake County will be able to return to VYR again as well....
truthBtold knows nothing
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 15:15 — AngelaWtruthBtold knows nothing about truth, have you personally asked Allison Backhouse these questions???? If the answer is NO, then stop it, seriously.....she was NEVER a VYR parent although she supports VYR, (not the MYR) and she opted out of YR for her younger child despite the school being outside her community..... ...without FACTS people, really....so sick of people being maligned for their views/choices/wishes/actions, as long as it is not physicallly assaulting some one the last time I checked this is STILL the USA (despite the dictatorship of the BoE) and that DISSENTION is allowed. go cook-out somewhere and quit bothering people who care about families and choices for all families...
Revisionist history works better without a written record
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 14:17 — Apexter"Punkin' <b>all I said</b> was there are people who are political elected officials....Franz, Margiotta, Weatherly, Williams, and Sears. Weatherly, who works for a State Senator, who is trying to usurp another politically elected board and their authority. "
Well, no, actually your earlier comment opened with the statement "Let's review, this press release was written by Allison Backhouse...got it, she hates year round schools." How ironic your moniker refers to telling truth, and you open your statement with an utter falsehood. Allison Backhouse had her children in year round voluntarily before widespread MYR was implemented. Once she saw how her child's school and others in the community were being ripped apart by changing calendars and forcing reassignments, she became more involved, and has taken the time to educate herself on the issues and speak out on them. She's a good writer, so she is often the one who ends up writing down the message for her group. I don't always agree with her 100%, but I respect the work that she has done and continues to do.
You, on the other hand, make up a presumed "fact" and throw it out there, presumably to discredit the message. How much credibility do your other theories have?
Correction
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 22:29 — SDR256Allison is a good writer - agreed! But she didn't write this press release. The Steering Committee takes turns.
Also, wasn't it the school board - the same school board who said they would go with whatever Judge Manning decided - who appealed and used 'our tax dollars' anyway? They're the ones who have taken this to this level, not WakeCARES. WakeCARES, as all good red blooded Americans should, exercised their democratic rights to resist the government's meddling in their lives when it interfered with their family. Good for them!
This is what Democracy is about folks. I would rather have my tax dollars used to work out the democratic process than on fuel and buses.
They may have won the battle, but they will lose the war...
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 22:52 — Its_the_parents...I'm deeply tempted to roll out an "Oliver Twist" quote here, but rather than go there, will only say that we (the hapless parents of children trapped within the Kafkaesque bureaucracy of WCPSS) will prevail...
To all you fence-sitters out there, who hoped that officialdom would look past false statistics and manipulated numbers to actually come up with workable solutions for ALL OUR CHILDREN, this should be a call to revolution...we have used every means available to us: facts; persuasion; plain BEGGING!!!; and legal appeals, to try and change this fraudulent system...
Unfortunately, our judiciary is trapped within a prison of "strict interpretation of" verbiage, without regard to original statutory intent; our elected officials are trapped in an obsolete time-warp; our BoE members have been co-opted by ideologues within our educational bureaucracy (and have forgotten they were elected to represent the citizens against the tyranny of an entrenched bureaucracy)...I could go on, but then y'all got the point long ago...let's focus on voting these bums out, come election day...and send a icicle into the quivering heart of every elected official who forgets the fundamental rule: listen to your constituents!!!
Join us and the WSCA in bringing positive change to the WCPSS on election day - and I'm not a member, but will be joining tomorrow!
Pay No Attention to the woman behind the curtin...
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 06:33 — truthBtoldLet's review, this press release was written by Allison Backhouse...got it, she hates year round schools. This group doesn't show its leadership, but promotes its endorsements...Keith Weatherly, Ron Margiotta, Don Franz, Lisa Boneham, Dick Sears, Ronnie Williams...got it the same cast of characters, same shtick.
Let's review....one activist judge to likes his name in the paper (Manning) decides with parents. Unanimous decision by the appellate court against them, supreme court rules against them. Maybe, just maybe, and I know I am going waaaaaaay out on a limb here, maybe the BOE has the right to assign children to schools.
As a taxpayer who has helped foot the bill for these people to have their day in court, and in court and in court, I would prefer that my overly stretched taxes go to educating my two kids...thank you very much.
In the interest of disclosure, shame on the N&O for not ensuring that as they promote all sides of this issue when posting such so called press releases, their authors and those these so called parent groups represent are also included. This group is far from representing the views of regular parents, but rather politicans and their cronies trying to highjack the real legal process.
Bwa ha ha...
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 16:30 — Bob_SconceSo, first of all, you can go to a WSCA meeting (one coming up in Morrisville) and meet the "leadership."
Second, since when is Howard Manning an "activist judge" who likes his name in the paper? He's a personality for sure, but hardly known for being an activist.
Third, I think you're geting WSCA mixed up with Wake Cares. Wake Cares brought the lawsuit, WSCA is a grassroots organization trying to work through the *political* process.
Fourth, I'm curious how you know what "regular parents" want. And, how do you define a "regular parent"? But, at least you are focusing on the right place -- the issue is indeed what parents want.
Aren't Allison B and Lisa B
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 16:56 — Big_PictureAren't Allison B and Lisa B *regular parents fighting for regular families*? I say yes. If y'all were a Leesville parent set to benefit from Lisa B's efforts you may well say *more than regular*. These 2 women are advocating for family unity and saving tax money not wasting it. Please check your facts before spewing.
No Wizard of Oz, just a bunch of organized Moms and Dads
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 14:57 — Dadof3Ironically, WSCA is an honest "big tent," something enviable by democrat and republican party organs alike, united by the love of and for our families. We don't care if our fellow WSCA'er is a conservative, liberal, libertarian, independent, blue-dog democrat, or logical positivist. Indeed, this diversity of political worldview is one of our strengths.
Check out http://www.wakesca.org/ and get involved!
It would be refreshing
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 15:04 — truthBtoldDad if the tent was large, correct me if I wrong but...all I see is the captial "R" and neighborhood school/voucher advocates. Show me a democrat, independent, pick dog democrat for that matter on that website. Me thinks ya'all are in serious denial.
Just seeing what I see. Just knowing what I know.
...
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 18:50 — SideburnsI am a registered Democrat and serve on the WSCA Steering Committee. Please come to our next meeting so you can quit making assumptions.
www.wakesca.org
and look how convenient....a MEETING next week...
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 15:41 — AngelaWNext Meeting: SAT. May 9, 2009 @ 4:30-6:30pm - Morrisville
This meeting is for ALL Wake residents interested in challenging the WCPSS reassignment process and other severe problems within our school system.
Location:
Babymoon Cafe - Authentic Italian Cuisine
100 Jerusalem Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560
(919) 465 9006 | map
http://www.babymooncafe.com/
Time:
4:30pm, Beverages on Patio, Italian hors d'ouvre buffet available to purchase
Meeting starts @ 5:00pm
Seating is up to 110 people. Those who attended in Holly Springs, Wake Forest and/or are welcome, but this month's meeting is to welcome more citizens from Western Wake to join our cause!
Our alliance is reaching out to ALL Wake County residents and parent groups.
Your best bet...
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 15:36 — Dadof3Your best bet is to get off the couch and go to a meeting. You can't learn everything through the internet or inference.
so wrong, so VERY VERY
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 15:18 — AngelaWso wrong, so VERY VERY WRONG...... you actually have NO CLUE who or what this group is about.....
You sure are full of
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 08:15 — Big_PictureYou sure are full of yourself aren't you truthBtold? Hypocritical and jealous too if I must tell the truth. Before you call out honest & hard-working people willing to use their names to advocate for positive change, check your *facts*. Allison B was VYR and likes YR for her family. Lisa B is not anti-YR; she is pro-family and pro-truth. Mayors and Ron M have seen the unethical operations of WCPSS and will work for families. All mentioned as well as WSCA founders are working for all *regular families*. Your feeble attempts to discredit others are ineffective and desperate, reeking of envy. Be honest or be quiet.
Now BP...see the Big Picture
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 13:37 — truthBtoldPunkin' all I said was there are people who are political elected officials....Franz, Margiotta, Weatherly, Williams, and Sears. Weatherly, who works for a State Senator, who is trying to usurp another politically elected board and their authority. Perhaps the BOE could start telling the town council of Cary or Apex, or Garner, or Holly Springs where to build subdivisions or how they should be elected.
Now for the parents who have cost my family tens of thousands of dollars of lost tax revenue on my kids education because of their law suits which they lost...I was saying the same thing as you to me....."be honest or be quiet."
Now get the big picture or better yet, change your name to "snapshot" *smile*
Oh I see the big picture
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 18:28 — Big_PictureOh I see the big picture clearly thanks. I see the small minded ignorant troublemakers too; you can't hide. Keep telling yourself that telling lies on a blog will make them come true. Most others have more important things to do than deal with your immature shenanigans.
Did you conviently forget
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 14:36 — momof2goodboysDid you conviently forget about the fact that most MYR are collapsing tracks and still have empyt classrooks and that LRMS is converting to MYR when the numbers don't even justify it? Talk about wasting tax payers money? Don't even. VYR works, MYR doesn't.
Thank God for those on the board who actually acknowledge that family is more important than saving face on a stupid decision by some that doesn't work for most! If it were so great, why would there be so many families opting out?
Come Again?
Sun, 05/03/2009 - 19:42 — chaboardIsn't it the case that those most of those tracks are being collapsed due to opt-outs....which is due to the failed lawsuit filed by the *opponents* of the school board? That's a serious question....if thereare other significant factors let me know but my understanding is that most of it is empty seats caused by the lawsuit.
And as for "VYR works, MYR doesn't." - that is your opinion and you're welcome to it. It MAY even be true. But it hasn't been demonstrated yet because MYR has not yet been implemented in even a single school in Wake county. Some of us would like to see if it does work rather than artrarily declaring it a failure based on no data.
No, you are wrong!
Mon, 05/04/2009 - 06:36 — g88ky07At several of our area schools, in the FV area, track classes have been folded up because of reassignments to new schools and NO back filling of those children from the schools they were kicked out of! So you are wrong, has nothing to do with opt outs!
You'll get your wish though, all ES and MS schools, my prediction, will be FORCED year round before it's over. Then maybe people like YOU, the people who like government controlling their lives, will rest better!
Collapsing tracks
Sun, 05/03/2009 - 22:33 — FalcWCPSS planned for next year on the assumption that they would win the suit. The collapsed tracks are after taking into account that the opt-outs not accepted to their traditional calendar application option via the February application process would be going to their MYR next year.
On a going forward basis, WCPSS could decide to either 1) not have a TCA option at all or 2) could further limit the number of applicants accepted to their TCA school.
It also seems that long-term some families with children, knowing that some day they will face having kids on different schedules, may choose not to move to nodes assigned to MYR, leading to fewer students in nodes assigned to MYR schools, unless they convert all schools to MYR. In that case families who do not want YR will not move to/continue to live in Wake at all.
My child has done both VYR (Track 2) first and now traditional. I wanted YR and could not understand all the MYR fuss because I had nothing for comparison. I've learned that there are pros and cons to each, but academically my child does much better on traditional -- turns out one size does not fit all. Actually, for us, the only pro to YR is going on vacation in the off season -- not a reason that should outweigh academics. There was too much upheaval and wasted time on Track 2, which is not actually 9 weeks tracked in, 3 weeks tracked out. I notice it seems to be a popular track to be collapsed, so prehaps WCPSS recognizes the problems with Track 2. Knowing what I know now, YR should be a choice, not forced. I understand why those who are in MYR against their will and it is not working for their child/family, for whatever reasons, are upset. Those that judge them should walk in their shoes before doing so.
I find it ironic that the majority of low-income families opted-out of MYR, but WCPSS wants to force them onto the schedule for "diversity." I thought diversity included respecting individuals differences. Of course, I also thought diversity included not labeling people based on one thing about them (like where they live), but that's another issue.
Tracks 2 and 3 also track
Mon, 05/04/2009 - 08:27 — ApexRes98Tracks 2 and 3 also track in/out midweek at least twice. I had a Track 2 parent tell me this weekend that it's hard to find track out camps for those weeks. Parents have to pay for the whole week even though they only need two or three days. I don't think this is true for the Y, but the Y track outs seem to be the most expensive out there.
I think all tracks may have some partial weeks
Mon, 05/04/2009 - 12:04 — FalcThey say a picture is worth 1,000 words. People can look at the calendar and see the partial white (represents tracked in day) weeks. Not to mention that nine weeks in and three weeks out schedule is not true all the time. Our experience has been that those partial weeks, at least in lower ES grades, are no homework weeks.
http://www.wcpss.net/Calendars/2009-10/09-10-year-round.pdf
Gosh, Track 3 just seems
Mon, 05/04/2009 - 19:35 — ApexRes98Gosh, Track 3 just seems like a nightmare. Nov 09 to Jan 10 has to be tough for kids.
Two questions
Sun, 05/03/2009 - 21:30 — Falc1) If efficient use of capacity is so important why were VYR applicants from a traditional base school operating at well over 100% denied acceptance to a VYR school that accepted only 22% of applicants leaving it operating well under capacity?
2) Why did 60+% of low-income students opt-out of MYR?
Success? At What Cost?
Mon, 05/04/2009 - 07:25 — CaryCurmudgeonWould MYR be considered a "success" if each of these schools were enrolled at 100% on all four tracks?
If the families who are part of that 100% suffer undue hardship, have we been successful?
If some of the F&R's from Raleigh who formerly opted out are now forced into these schools, and end up with latchkey children because they cannot afford child care, have we been successful?
If we continue to see good teachers leaving these MYR schools because they hate the format, have we been successful?
Rumors and BS
Mon, 05/04/2009 - 08:54 — supportwcpssWe might have more success if not for the lies and rumors spread by your side of argument. Oh wait, you are always right. Not of your rants have any basis. But that hasn't stopped you in the past.
Oh Puh Leeze. What would be
Mon, 05/04/2009 - 09:44 — Big_PictureOh Puh Leeze. What would be *lies and rumors* spread by the other side. Had you been paying attention at all? Facts upon facts have been brought to the table; unreported by the media who are silenced by the BoE. Must be some strong blackmailing going on to keep those strong facts buried.
facts
Mon, 05/04/2009 - 09:12 — CaryCurmudgeonLooks like somebody peed in your cornflakes (again).
If is a FACT that families with kids on different school calendars have a much harder time scheduling together time. I know families who are going through this NOW.
If is a FACT that the majority of opt-outs were F&R students. They either didn't want their kids on MYR schedule, or they didn't want them bused. You pick.
It is a FACT that good teachers are leaving MYR schools because they don't like the calendar. I know some of them.
You forgot, Facts are irrevalent
Mon, 05/04/2009 - 12:34 — Voice_of_Reason_The government is always right since we voted them in. You have to get in touch with your feelings and chill Mudge. Parents don't control your children's life...government does. WCPSS only has your children's best interest in mind, after all we have wondorful , world class schools here. The do the best with of tax money they can, only we don't pay enough taxes..that's the real problem. Supportwcpss is a nice person. If you can't beat them, join them. Otherwise they won't like you.
by Bizarro VoR
Facts in your own mind
Mon, 05/04/2009 - 10:48 — supportwcpssAnd the minds of the other 12 people here.
I have had kids on different schedules for years. There are 180 days in a school year and about 40 hours a week in school. There is plenty of time no matter what the schedule. Sounds like an inability to manage time.
I'm impressed. You went and interviewed the parents of the 1500 F&R students who opted out to know those two reasons were their reason.
I know some teachers also. I know a bunch trying to get into schools which are YR more so because they want in that school then the calendar. I believe the last poll I saw show a slightly higher turnover at trad. then YR.
You state your pin sized view of the world as fact. Let's bow down to the holier then now genius who is never wrong.
There's nothing wrong here...
Mon, 05/04/2009 - 13:26 — Dadof3There's nothing wrong here that a big warm hug and a nice, relaxing nap wouldn't fix.
I think I may have a solution for you
Mon, 05/04/2009 - 12:13 — FalcI think I may have a solution for you to get rid of those few that disagree with your views.
How about a voucher system? That way those that are dissatisfied can just leave WCPSS and use the voucher at a non-WCPSS school. Those that love WCPSS can use their vouchers at WCPSS schools. According to you, there are so few dissatisfied people. With so few leaving and the 99.9%, who according to you love WCPSS staying, a voucher system would not hurt WCPSS at all, especially with all the growth to fill the few vacated seats.
Would you support a voucher system?
I and many others would and will!
Mon, 05/04/2009 - 12:31 — g88ky07Enough is enough. Where do we pick them up?
That's 10 more on our side
Mon, 05/04/2009 - 11:59 — g88ky07That's 10 more on our side than you have on yours oh crusty one!
What were their reasons for opting out
Mon, 05/04/2009 - 11:49 — FalcWhat were their reasons for opting out?
I appreciate being called a
Mon, 05/04/2009 - 11:41 — CaryCurmudgeonI appreciate being called a genius, but you do not have to bow down before me.
We'll make sure to create
Mon, 05/04/2009 - 09:04 — g88ky07We'll make sure to create additional "rumors & BS" JUST for you support "until the brown flows out your nose" wcpss!
This is not even close to being over and we'll make sure to blame you for fueling it!
The opt outs from MYR
Mon, 05/04/2009 - 11:48 — rr77rr99The opt outs from MYR school I know said they couldn't find child care and couldn't fit work schedule around the MYR calendar, so they opted out. It had nothing to do with liking the YR school better, infact, the YR opt out is jam packed, but then again, next year, our MYR will be wayyyyyyyyy over capacity, so who the heck knows what's going on.
I do know I see plenty of vey unhappy teachers now on a daily basis. I don't think they gvie two hoots about anything right now and have stopped even trying to put on that fake smile they are told to wear.
It is hard to conveniently
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 18:36 — Big_PictureIt is hard to conveniently forget when you never knew the facts to begin with. *Lies 'R Us* just makes up rumors about strangers to stir the pot. Calling herself TruthBeTold is the biggest joke/lie yet.
Mom,
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 15:09 — truthBtoldtracks are being collapsed because the BOE had to cow tow to a lower court judge while WAKE CARES wasted thousands of tax dollars getting the "who gets to decide" question answered.
If you are arguing for efficient use of all tracks, then you are not arguing for soccer mom choice. THAT is what is what this lawsuit and the decision was all about.
Build more schools at tens of millions of dollars more, or use what we have with YR
TruthBtold
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 17:19 — choice4allYou are wrong wrong wrong on so many levels which only indicates one thing to me..you are simply afraid of the truth and thats why you are making false accusations. Quit being a Troll.
Ahoy!
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 23:39 — SDR256Welcome aboard! All hands on deck!
"Ready about! Hard to the lee!"
(called by the captain when the wind changed dramatically, the boom would swing around and might take your head off, and you'd better hang on or you'd be left treading water.)
It SHOULD BE the Parents!
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 23:08 — Lisa_BHey It's The Parents:
WELL SAID....the time is right for concerned parents from all over the county to come together to elect a school board that is RESPONSIVE to parents' needs, and concerned with the education of ALL children in the county.
I'm glad you'll be joining WSCA. I personally think it is amazing that ANYONE would have a problem with a devoted group that is coming together with such an admirable mission and positive goals. Unless you've put on the blinders and sworn your undying loyalty to WCPSS without caring about how their ineffective and disruptive policies are hurting the children and families in our county, you will be THRILLED with what you see and hear from the WSCA group.
Welcome to a group that will bring REAL change!!
Parents And Wake CARES Members React To Court Decision
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 18:52 — AngelaWhttp://wake.mync.com/site/wake/news/story/33413/parents-and-wake-cares-members-react-to-court-decision
WCPSS has made this all
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 18:25 — AngelaWWCPSS has made this all about nodes and stats, let's make it about FAMILIES AND FACTS......
Nodes and false stats
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 18:33 — Big_PictureNodes and false stats describe WCPSS. Yea, WSCA and families are the winning combination.
Rock on WSCA. This is gonna
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 18:15 — Big_PictureRock on WSCA. This is gonna be a fun ride.