Bill Fletcher: Strategic Plan for the Future, Bus Driver Pay Raise and More
Wake County, NC – Thoughts for the start of 2020 from Bill Fletcher, Member of the Wake County Board of Education.
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Bill Fletcher: Competency-Based Education, Diversity in Schools and More
Wake County, NC – Thoughts for September 2019 from Bill Fletcher, Member of the Wake County Board of Education.
Education: New School Facilities, 2019-2020 School Year and More
Wake County, NC – Thoughts for July 2019 from Bill Fletcher, Member of the Wake County Board of Education.
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Education: Bill Fletcher February 2019 Newsletter
Wake County, NC – Thoughts for January 2019 from Bill Fletcher, Member of the Wake County Board of Education.
Bill’s Legislative Goals for 2019
Let’s take a fresh approach in the Legislature this year. Let’s agree on some simple principles and then set about enacting laws and budgets in support of those principles! Are you ready?
Education: Bill Fletcher January 2019 Newsletter
Wake County, NC – Thoughts for January 2019 from Bill Fletcher, Member of the Wake County Board of Education.
You Voted YES to pay LESS!
That is the choice voters made by passing the Wake School Bond issue. Voters authorized the use of General Obligation bonds for school construction which is the most cost-effective way to borrow money for construction. Voter approval will save all Wake taxpayers significant interest on capital debt.
Education: Bill Fletcher 2018 June Newsletter
Wake County, NC – Thoughts for June 2018 from Bill Fletcher, Member of the Wake County Board of Education.
Cathy Moore named Wake Superintendent
After a five-month nationwide search, the school board chose Cathy Moore as the 10th superintendent of the Wake public schools. Yes, she is the first woman and Latina to lead Wake’s schools, but neither characteristic is why she was hired.
The community told us they wanted a former teacher who would remain in the position for six or more years, someone who knew Wake County and the Wake schools and would be highly visible and accessible. Cathy Moore fits that profile. She is dedicated to the success of every child and eminently capable of leading the state’s largest school district to greater academic heights. Click here for more info about our new superintendent. Read more
Education: Bill Fletcher 2018 May Newsletter
Cary, NC – Thoughts for May 2018 from Bill Fletcher, Member of the Wake County Board of Education.
Chronic Underfunding of Our Schools has been Exposed!
Your Board of Education made a profound statement when it adopted the superintendent’s recommended budget as the Board’s Proposed Budget for 2018-19. The Board will request $58.9 million in additional, recurring local funding to meet the reduced class size mandate, open new schools, protect principal pay, expand counselor support for students, recruit and train new academic teachers, maintain excellent services to students with special needs and expand services for AIG students.
Education: Bill Fletcher 2018 April Newsletter
Wake County, NC – Thoughts for April 2018 from Bill Fletcher, Member of the Wake County Board of Education.
Joint Meetings with Commissioners Open Constructive Dialog…
…even when conversations include comments like “we only have $xxx available for the schools.” NC has an unusual school funding system. School Boards have no taxing authority. Primary operational funding responsibility rests with the State. Counties pay for construction. When the local community demands better services than the State is willing to fund, counties supplement operational funding. That is the basis for the annual negotiation between the Wake boards of education and commissioners.
Education: Bill Fletcher 2018 March Newsletter
Wake County, NC – Thoughts for March 2018 from Bill Fletcher, Member of the Wake County Board of Education.
Legislature Eases Class Size Mandate Timetable
Members of the NC Senate finally responded to thousands of parent and teacher requests to phase in the reduction of class sizes in grades K-3. They also began allocating specific funding for classes such as art, music and PE. The legislation is a little like novacain – it postpones the pain for now. This action clarifies the near term financial challenges as Wake builds its next operating budget. The need for additional classrooms remains a burden on local property tax payers. Let me say thank you who took the time to speak with your legislator. Now reach out again and say “Thanks”!
Education: Bill Fletcher 2018 February Newsletter
Cary, NC – Thoughts for February 2018 from Bill Fletcher, Member of the Wake County Board of Education. Read more