Education: Bill Fletcher November Newsletter

Wake County, NC — Thoughts for November 2014 from Bill Fletcher, Member Wake County Board of Education. 

Don’t be fooled by new “Sanitation Grades” coming in February

State law will require that each school post a single letter grade in their office – just like restaurants. The grade is based 80% on student performance in tested courses and 20% on academic growth. A school making great progress with students who are below grade level will get a low grade while a school with high performing students who are not growing academically – who are coasting — will get a high grade. This is a bad system and will only stigmatize schools and their faculties and students.

Teacher Turnover

Wake schools’ data shows actual teacher resignations thru the fiscal year-end of June 30. The trend is concerning. Wouldn’t you agree?!

Every child a reader

A key reason young children struggle with reading is the absence of books in the home. In 2014 Wake Up & Read – a consortium of non-profit and governmental agencies – collected enough used books to provide each child in 8 elementary schools with 10 books to read over the summer and to keep in their personal libraries. Another book drive is planned for 2015.

Getting ahead of growth

Several municipalities have passed resolutions or begun lobbying campaigns to increase school construction in their areas. There is broad agreement that 40 additional schools are needed but only 16 have been funded. It is time for our elected leaders to choose to build the schools we know we need before growth overwhelms.

Strategic Plan nearing completion

A team of 40 community leaders has been crafting a new strategic direction for our public schools… to include revised vision and mission statements as well as a recommended five year goal. Their work will drive budget priorities and the allocation of resources. View the recent update to the Board of draft elements here: https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/Attachment.aspx?S=920&AID=29837&MID=1537

Draft #3 student enrollment plan on view

On November 4, the third draft of the 2015-16 enrollment plan was released. The District’s Address Lookup web tool includes current and proposed assignments. The plan assigns each parcel (address) to a school. Each school has two calendar alternates available for student choice with District transportation provided. To check your address, go to http://wwwgis2.wcpss.net/addressLookup/ Comment at www.envisionwake.mindmixer.com.

Questions about Student Enrollment for this year?

• Office of Student Assignment: 919-431-7300
• http://www.wcpss.net/parents/student-assignment/
• Foreign languages: 919-431-7404
• http://www.wcpss.net/parents/center-for-international-enrollment/

Questions about Student Enrollment for this year? Have your clients call directly!
Office of Student Assignment: 919-431-7300 http://www.wcpss.net/parents/student-assignment/ Foreign languages: 919-431-7404 http://www.wcpss.net/parents/center-for-international-enrollment/

Factoid #5

Diseases much more likely to occur in NC than Ebola are tuberculosis and whooping cough. Schools maintain a high level of awareness for symptoms and have protocols in place for immediate response to identified cases. Student and staff safety is the number one priority!

Parent chats

Note: No parent chat on November 17 as I will be attending the NC School Boards Association Conference.

• 1st Thursday, 1PM, Cary Chamber, 315 N Academy Street, Cary NC
• 3rd Monday, 11AM, Caribou Coffee shop, 109 SW Maynard, Cary NC

Get in Touch

BFletcher@wcpss.net  ||  Voice Mail: 919-431-7332   ||  Mobile: 919-880-5301

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Story by Bill Fletcher, Member Wake County Board of Education. Photo by Hal Goodtree.