Johnny Carson often used a classic setup for jokes. He would open with, “Boy, was it hot today!” Then he would wait for the audience to respond with, “How hot was it?” Then he would deliver the punchline by starting with, “It was so hot…” It was a dark humor that had this particular setup […]
The Cost of Construction Growth Read More »
The last week of April featured the all-important legislative crossover deadline. WakeEd has been following several bills that address drivers education funding, teacher pay, financial flexibility, and calendar flexibility. We thought a review of how these bills have moved through the General Assembly would be helpful. As a reminder, bills that are introduced must be
Where Are They Now? Education Bills Edition Read More »
At their May 6 meeting, the North Carolina State Board of Education approved a waiver that allows WCPSS to not administer NC Final Exams at the end of this school year. NC Final Exams are administered in courses that do not have a state end-of-grade or end-of-course exam. This includes elementary, middle, and high school
No NC Final Exams for WCPSS Read More »
The Wake County Board of Education adopted a budget for the 2015-2016 school year. It is the same budget as previously proposed by Supt. Merrill. The $1.4 billion budget includes a local funding request increase of $48.3 million. The increase requested funds growth and expansion of programs. It also sets out to raise teacher salary
Wake County Board of Education Adopts Budget Read More »
Much has been made over what items are included in the Superintendent’s proposed budget. Little has been made over items not included. Some of these items can be found on page 14 of the budget document titled “Deferred Needs.” They include items like, “Technology Refresh Operating Dollars for Classrooms – $8 million.” These dollars would
What’s NOT in the Superintendent’s Proposed Budget Read More »
At a Facilities Committee meeting on April 15, Joe Desormeaux, Assistant Superintendent for Facilities, identified $348 million per year in new schools, major renovations, life cycle replacements, and land acquisition over the next six years. This keeps pace with the number of new students expected to arrive in Wake County, which is just over 3,200
Growing Pains or Growing Opportunities? Read More »
You could say that making up days missed by inclement weather this spring has been problematic. You’d also be understating the issue. A bit. School board members heard recommendations from staff on inclement weather make-up days for the 2015-2016 school calendars (traditional, year-round, and modified). Staff presented options that included use of early release days,
Making Weather Make-Up Days (Relatively) Easier Read More »
The Washington Post has released its annual list of the nation’s most challenging high schools. Thirteen WCPSS high schools are on the list. Rank School Index Excellence and Equity Percent Subsidized Lunch Percent 275 Enloe 4.123 45.00 35.90 616 Green Hope 3.032 60.20 6.30 1066 Broughton 2.292 30.00 35.50 1164 Millbrook 2.191
Thirteen WCPSS High Schools Among Nation\’s Most Challenging Read More »
A little more than a month ago, Wake Education Partnership officially rebranded as “WakeEd Partnership.” We’ve updated collateral, printed new business cards, and have even installed new signs in our office. (You really should drop by to see them.) All of these actions have been important to our organization, but that is not why we
A Brand On The Move Read More »
Schools need money. As a 30-year veteran of the Wake County Public School System, I know that far better than most. In the last 7 years, spending on students in North Carolina has dropped by 13 percent per student, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Like many industries, schools are making up
Teacher Innovation Grants Are More than Money Read More »
