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VIDEO - Latest News
12/28/11 Student assignments, magnet lottery applications to be available for CMS students
"Student assignments for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will be sent home next week. The notifications will be sent to all current students. Also, magnet lottery applications can be submitted online from Jan. 6 through Feb. 13."
12/16/11 NC among nine states to receive federal pre-K grant
"Nine states, including North Carolina, will receive millions of dollars in grant money to improve early childhood education programs."
12/13/11 Report shows suspension spike in high schools affected by closings
"A look at the suspension data from the affected schools indicates community concerns were not misperceptions. Harding's student enrollment doubled from roughly 900 students to almost 1,800. But suspensions went from 151 to 967, a six-fold increase."
12/13/11 Newcomers Ellis-Stewart, McCray voted leaders of CMS school board
"In a unanimous vote, Ericka Ellis-Stewart was chosen as chairman and Mary McCray as vice chairman. Both members are new to the board."
12/9/11 Tony Tata holds first briefing since new board members sworn-in
"Wake County Schools Superintendent Tony Tata wants to incorporate the land and students from the School of the Blind into in the Wake County Public School System."
12/7/11 Hill named chairman of divided Wake County school board
"Voting along party lines, the board elected its senior member, Kevin Hill, as chair and Keith Sutton as vice chair. Hill says he hopes the board can work together, across party lines, minimizing the 5-4 split."
12/6/11 New Wake County School Board members sworn in
"The new Wake County School Board got an earful from concerned parents minutes after taking office Tuesday."
12/6/11 All eyes on new Wake County School Board as student assignment debate resurfaces
"Tuesday is the day the dynamic shifts on the Wake County School Board. The newly-elected Democrat-backed members will be sworn in, creating a new majority on the board."
12/5/11 Wake County parents can begin choosing magnet schools Monday
"Monday is the first day of the online magnet school selection period for Wake County parents. The selection period is part of the school system's new school choice student assignment process."
12/1/11 NC Board of Education to vote on extending school year
"The state Board of Education will take a final vote Thursday on adding five days to the state's school calendar and creating a 185 day school year."
11/22/11 New Wake school board wants another look at assignment plan
"Just a month after the Wake County school board approved a new assignment plan - one that emphasizes parent choice and neighborhood schools and caused nearly two years of debate and controversy in the district - the newly-elected board members want another look at it."
11/18/11 Wake School Board discusses enrollment cap at system's newest school
"Wake County school board members will talk about capping one of the newest school's when they meet next week."
11/17/11 Hattabaugh prioritizes easing tensions at Harding High School
"Following a Tuesday curriculum meeting that was off limits to the media, interim superintendent Hugh Hattabaugh invited reporters to the school Thursday to hear the district's plans for ensuring a safe learning environment at Harding."
11/17/11 More information meetings held to help parents with new Wake student assignment plan
"Two more meetings will be held Thursday night to help Wake County parents get started with the new student assignment process. More than 250 attended the first meeting Monday night."
11/15/11 CMS Board Chairman meets with Harding HS parents, students
"Charlotte-Mecklenburg School officials met privately with parents and students Tuesday night at Harding University High School in the wake of recent incidents at the school."
11/14/11 New Wake County student assignments to be released
"Parents in the Wake County School System are expected to receive initial assignment notifications this week."
11/10/11 Gov. Perdue launches new education initiative
"The College and Career Promise would allow students to enroll in community college courses for free while in high school. Students will have to choose one of three tracks, keep a high grade point average and show they are learning basic skills."
11/10/11 CMS delays hearing about school consolidation report
"The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board says it wants to wait another month before hearing a report from staff on how the recent consolidation of 13 schools is going."
11/8/11 Hill wins; Democrats complete sweep of Wake school seats
"In the most closely watched of North Carolina's local elections, a Democratic-aligned candidate has kept his seat on the Wake County school board, completing a sweep of the seats up for grabs this year."
11/8/11 Hill, Losurdo push for votes as election day arrives
"Phone calls, emails and personal visits marked the final day before the election Monday as Kevin Hill and Heather Losurdo sought to sway voters in their critical Wake County Board of Education race."
11/8/11 Big day at the polls for Wake County Schools
"The make-up of the Wake County School Board majority is on the line Tuesday, along with a couple of mayoral races."
11/7/11 District 3 runoff will determine party in control of Wake school board
"The balance of power on the Wake County School Board will be decided in Tuesday's runoff election for the District 3 seat."
10/28/11 Parents speculate as WCPSS moves on Assignment Plan
"Questions remain as Wake County Schools moves forward with the new Student Assignment Plan. Superintendent Tony Tata hopes parents get answers through a new website launched this week."
10/28/11 Wake superintendent holds media briefing about student assignment selections
"Wake County Schools Superintendent Tony Tata will hold another media briefing Friday as the first week of student assignment selections wrap up."
10/24/11 Hill, Losurdo share spotlight in Wake school board runoff
"Democratic-backed candidates swept all the other school board races earlier this month, and power on the board could shift if incumbent Kevin Hill can hold off challenger Heather Losurdo."
10/24/11 Wake County parents to start choosing schools for children
"Starting Monday, parents can find out which Wake County schools will be available to their child. It's part of the process for the new assignment plan the school board approved last week. The plan allows a family to pick a school from a list of choices instead of being automatically assigned to one."
10/23/11 Search for new CMS Superintendent reaches out to public online
"The public's chance to get involved in the search for a new Charlotte-Mecklenburg Superintendent begins Monday with the launch of an online survey."
10/20/11 Special Guest John Tedesco for our 150th Show
"Join Dr. Mike and his guest, John Tedesco. John has been at the center of the heated debates at the Wake County School Board."
10/21/11 New assignment plan could guide other school districts
"Wake County Superintendent Tony Tata said the school system's new student assignment plan could serve as model for other districts across the country."
10/20/11 Wake County School Board election practices reviewed
10/19/11 Wake County School Board approves student assignment plan
"In a six to two vote, the Wake County School Board approved their new student assignment plan. It would allow families to pick from a list of school choices instead of being automatically assigned."
10/19/11 Wake board passes student assignment plan
"The Wake County School Board passed a new student assignment plan Tuesday evening with a vote of 6 to 2."
10/19/11 Parents brace for change as student assignment plan approved
"Wake County parents are bracing for big changes to how their child is assigned to school. Tuesday night Board Members made the move to a neighborhood based choice plan."
10/18/11 Wake Co. student assignment plan vote to come Tuesday
"Tuesday evening, the Wake County School Board is scheduled to vote on the proposed controlled choice student assignment plan. It would completely change the way students are assigned to schools in Wake County, allowing families to pick their school from a list of choices instead of being automatically assigned to a school."
10/17/11 Runoff will decide control on Wake County School Board
"It looks like a runoff will decide control of the Wake County School Board. Democratic-backed incumbent Kevin Hill won nearly 50 percent of the District 3 vote on election night but fell just short of the clear majority needed to avoid a runoff with Republican-backed challenger Heather Losurdo."
10/17/11 Pre-k transition going smoothly, program head says
"The head of the state's pre-k program says transition from More at Four is going smoothly. However, she wishes there was more state funding for at risk kids."
10/14/11 Parents still confused after assignment hearing
"My take away is that I think I know less now than what I did before I attended," parent Maria Fitzgerald said."
10/14/11 Board members debate timing of assignment plan vote
"The vote on the Wake County School Board's long-debated student assignment plan is days away. As the vote draws close, some newly elected Board Members are concerned that the current Board is moving forward too fast."
10/13/11 Parents ask Wake Co. School Board to delay vote on student assignment plan
"Thursday night, Wake County parents had their only chance to tell school board members what they think of the proposed controlled choice student assignment plan."
10/13/11 Parents voice concerns about upcoming Wake Schools assignment vote
"More than 30 parents spoke out at a public hearing Thursday night at Broughton High School. It was the last chance to voice any concerns before next week's board vote on the student assignment issue."
10/12/11 Evans, who ousted Margiotta, says Wake Co. should hold off on approving student assignment plan
"Newly elected school board member Susan Evans told NBC-17 exclusively Thursday, she was calling for a postponement of Tuesday's vote on the new student assignment plan for the Wake County Public School System."
10/12/11 Tata insists proposed Wake assignment plan is still viable, parents weigh in
"The Wake County Board of Education will hold a public hearing Thursday on the proposed assignment plan."
10/12/11 Will elections change new Wake schools plan?
"With a run-off expected between Democratic incumbent Kevin Hill and Republican newcomer Heather Losurdo, some are wondering what's in store for the contentious Wake County school board."
10/12/11 Wake County School Board encounters shakeups, runoff
"The Wake County School Board could see more big changes after Democrats came close to regaining a majority control in yesterday's election."
10/12/11 Voters favor Dems in all Wake schools races
"The winds of change that blew through the Wake County School Board in 2009 seemed to be blowing the other way Tuesday."
10/11/11 Local elections mean shakeup on Wake school board
"Candidates opposed to the current Wake County school board majority have won big in local elections as voters in the state's largest school district rendered their verdict on two years of major change."
10/11/11 Margiotta loses, but control of Wake School Board yet to be decided
"Susan Evans has beaten Ron Margiotta in the crucial Wake County Board of Education race in District 8, but the balance of power on the board is not decided yet."
10/11/11 CMS graduation rate increases to 74 percent
"Graduation rates are up in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The Board of Education will receive a report Tuesday night that shows a 74 percent graduation rate last year. That's four points below the state average of 79 percent."
10/7/11 Wake Co. school officials defend move to leased offices
"After a parent spoke out at a recent board meeting about the cost of moving administrative offices, NBC 17 got answers on the cost and reasons behind the move."
10/7/11 Wake superintendent holds media briefing about student assignment plan
"Wake County Schools Superintendent Tony Tata held his first media briefing Friday morning since releasing the final student assignment plan."
10/6/11 Evans, Margiotta clearly divided in Wake County BOE District 8
"There's a clear divide between the two candidates running for Wake County Board of Education in District 8. Challenger Susan Evans supports the county's long-standing diversity policy, while Board Chair Ron Margiotta is steadfast in his belief in neighborhood schools."
10/5/11 Wake School Board chairman faces election challenge
"Neighborhood schools and student assignment are hot-button election topics in the District 8 Wake County School Board race, which pits Chairman Ron Margiotta against candidate Susan Evans."
10/5/11 Parents react to Wake Co. student assignment plan
"I think it's a little confusing. I don't think they realize the ripple effect it will end up having," said parent Robin Stewart."
10/5/11 Wake County Board of Education District 5 race heats up
"Current Wake County Board of Education member Dr. Anne McLaurin is not running for re-election. Now, the race for her District 5 seat is heating up. Jim Martin and Cynthia Matson both hope to step onto the nine member board and represent South Central Raleigh."
10/4/11 Wake superintendent to unveil final student assignment plan
"Wake County parents will have a better idea of how the new student assignment plan will affect their children. Superintendent Tony Tata will unveil his final student assignment plan to the Wake County School Board Tuesday."
10/4/11 Challenger Peyton takes on Sutton in Wake School Board race
"In District 4, Republican Venita Peyton is taking on incumbent Democrat Keith Sutton, who was appointed in 2009 to fill the seat vacated by Rosa Gill. The district includes east and southeast Raleigh."
10/14/11 Parents still confused after assignment hearing
"My take away is that I think I know less now than what I did before I attended," parent Maria Fitzgerald said."
10/14/11 Board members debate timing of assignment plan vote
"The vote on the Wake County School Board's long-debated student assignment plan is days away. As the vote draws close, some newly elected Board Members are concerned that the current Board is moving forward too fast."
10/13/11 Parents ask Wake Co. School Board to delay vote on student assignment plan
"Thursday night, Wake County parents had their only chance to tell school board members what they think of the proposed controlled choice student assignment plan."
10/13/11 Parents voice concerns about upcoming Wake Schools assignment vote
"More than 30 parents spoke out at a public hearing Thursday night at Broughton High School. It was the last chance to voice any concerns before next week's board vote on the student assignment issue."
10/12/11 Evans, who ousted Margiotta, says Wake Co. should hold off on approving student assignment plan
"Newly elected school board member Susan Evans told NBC-17 exclusively Thursday, she was calling for a postponement of Tuesday's vote on the new student assignment plan for the Wake County Public School System."
10/12/11 Tata insists proposed Wake assignment plan is still viable, parents weigh in
"The Wake County Board of Education will hold a public hearing Thursday on the proposed assignment plan."
10/12/11 Will elections change new Wake schools plan?
"With a run-off expected between Democratic incumbent Kevin Hill and Republican newcomer Heather Losurdo, some are wondering what's in store for the contentious Wake County school board."
10/12/11 Wake County School Board encounters shakeups, runoff
"The Wake County School Board could see more big changes after Democrats came close to regaining a majority control in yesterday's election."
10/12/11 Voters favor Dems in all Wake schools races
"The winds of change that blew through the Wake County School Board in 2009 seemed to be blowing the other way Tuesday."
10/11/11 Local elections mean shakeup on Wake school board
"Candidates opposed to the current Wake County school board majority have won big in local elections as voters in the state's largest school district rendered their verdict on two years of major change."
10/11/11 Margiotta loses, but control of Wake School Board yet to be decided
"Susan Evans has beaten Ron Margiotta in the crucial Wake County Board of Education race in District 8, but the balance of power on the board is not decided yet."
10/11/11 CMS graduation rate increases to 74 percent
"Graduation rates are up in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The Board of Education will receive a report Tuesday night that shows a 74 percent graduation rate last year. That's four points below the state average of 79 percent."
10/7/11 Wake Co. school officials defend move to leased offices
"After a parent spoke out at a recent board meeting about the cost of moving administrative offices, NBC 17 got answers on the cost and reasons behind the move."
9/9/11 Wake County public school system growth continues
"Ten days after all schools opened, around 3,000 more students are enrolled in the school system, bringing the district total to 146,000."
9/8/11 Wake school assignment meetings continue Thursday evening
"Another community meeting on Wake County's two proposed student assignment plans will be held Thursday evening."
9/7/11 Wake School Board works toward one, unified assignment plan
"The Wake County Board of Education continues to look at options for its new student assignment plan. On Tuesday, the board was briefed by the task force on feedback they've received from the public."
9/7/11 Parents get another chance to speak on Wake school assignment plan
"The Wake County school board continues to get questions from parents as it moves closer to adopting a new student assignment plan. It will host another information session Wednesday night at Apex High School."
9/1/11 Charter school expansion could come sooner than expected
"More charter schools may be coming to the state in the future. This week the state's Board of Education accepted appointments of 11 members on the state's new Charter School Advisory Council."
9/1/11 Pre-k budget cut impacts parents, would-be students
"Hundreds of North Carolina children are being turned away from the state's pre-kindergarten programs in the aftermath of budget cuts. In Davidson County, around 250 students are still on the waiting list and classes have already begun."
8/31/11 Thomasville High School starts freshman academy to decrease dropouts
"Officials at Thomasville High School launched a new freshman academy at the start of the school year. They hope the move will help them better transition into high school and keep them in to school to graduate."
8/30/11 CMS recognizes technology's place in the classroom
"The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System only has two classroom sets of iPads right now, but they say they'll be getting more this fall."
8/19/11 The fight to keep diversity in North Carolina
8/18/11 Video: Why do the Koch brothers want to end public education?
8/17/11 Possible changes to magnet schools with new Wake assignment plan
"Wake County School administrators are stressing the need for magnet schools to promote diversity."
8/16/11 Tata presents more details of Wake student assignment plan
"Tuesday afternoon the Wake County Schools' Reassignment Task Force presented more information about the new student assignment proposal."
8/11/11 Republican lawmakers oppose Perdue's order concerning pre-K program
"Republican lawmakers said they will fight an action by Gov. Perdue regarding the state's pre-Kindergarten program."
8/11/11 CMS scrambles to fill open teachings positions
"Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools is scrambling to fill hundreds of teaching positions before the new school year in just two weeks. The district is short 340 teachers."
8/10/11 Governor, lawmakers face off over pre-Kindergarten funding
"There's another showdown between Governor Bev Perdue and the Republican-controlled General Assembly."
8/9/11 Superintendent Tata has Democrats, Republicans in agreement
"After just six months on the job, Wake County Public Schools Superintendent Tony Tata is earning praise from both Republicans and Democrats. Tata was sworn in as Wake County's new Superintendent of Public Schools on Feb. 1."
8/9/11 CMS board starts moving on plan to hire new superintendent
"The Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board met for four hours Tuesday trying to form its plan of attack on how to go about hiring a new superintendent."
8/8/11 Wake Schools misses mark again in educating special needs students
"The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction is reporting that Wake County Schools, for a second time, are not hitting the mark when it comes to educating special needs students on long-term suspension.
8/5/11 Project LIFT donates $950K to west Charlotte schools
"A community initiative to help some of Charlotte-Mecklenburg's most challenged schools is announcing a major partnership. Project LIFT is giving $950,000 to communities in schools. The funds will go toward efforts to address issues in eight west Charlotte schools."
8/2/11 Wake school board to consider job cuts, new homework policy
"It will be a busy meeting for the Wake County School Board Tuesday. Members will take up numerous items including job cuts, a new homework policy and they're still dealing with the clean-up of a school damaged by fire."
7/27/11 Rush is on to hire 1,100 new CMS employees
"While most school staff is off for the summer, it is the busiest time of year for the Human Resources Department at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools as they are increasing their staff by over 1,000."
7/25/11 Questions surround More at Four program even after judge's ruling
"A decision issued last week by Judge Howard Manning says all at-risk children must have the right to pre-K education. It orders the "the state shall not deny any eligible at-risk 4-year-olds admission to the pre-kindergarten program."
7/18/11 NC judge orders pre-kindergarten services restored
"The pre-K program "More at Four" was at the heart of a legal decision Monday, which could force the legislature to change its current budget."
7/18/11 Judge orders pre-K services restored; Tillis says it will not affect NC budget
"North Carolina cannot limit enrollment in a pre-kindergarten program for at-risk children that saw its budget reduced by the General Assembly, the judge overseeing a long-running education-opportunity lawsuit ordered Monday."
7/18/11 Pre-K director, parent weigh in on judge's ruling
"The reality of cuts to the North Carolina pre-kindergarten program is now uncertain."
7/11/11 As year-round students return to school, assignment plans come to light
"Superintendent Tony Tata wants to take aggravation out of the equation with a new student assignment plan. Currently, there are two plans for Wake County school student assignment, a blue and a green plan."
7/11/11 It's back to school for thousands of Wake Co. students
"Tata said he wants to meet with parents and students and welcome them back to school. He said he'll also be on hand to answer any questions parents may have about the school year and to reassure that his district is ready for another school year."
7/10/11 New state law eliminates charter school cap in NC
"Now the State Board of Education is working to decide how it will determine how to expand the current charter school system. The Board is considering creating an advisory council which would go through the anticipated high number of applications."
7/7/11 Education leaders look at expanding charter schools
"State education leaders are looking at how to expand the state's charter school system now that the cap has been eliminated. The state board plans to create an advisory board to help with the expansion process."
7/1/11 New education laws met with mixed reviews
"I have received mixed reactions from educators," said June Atkinson, the superintendent of public instruction. "I have heard principals say, 'how are we going to determine how well our students are doing in comparison to other students across the state?' I've also heard some principals and teachers say to me, 'I am glad we no longer have these tests.'"
6/30/11 Summer camp closing achievement gap in CMS
"Instead of hanging out around the pool, hundreds of kids are cracking the books. "Y Readers", is designed to help close CMS's achievement gap. The six-week program targets rising first and second graders who are reading below grade level."
6/29/11 Hattabaugh named interim CMS superintendent
"The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board has named Hugh Hattabaugh as interim superintendent Tuesday evening."
6/28/11 Wake School Board Vice Chair John Tedesco defends new job
"Wake County School Board Vice Chairman John Tedesco says he wants to "champion reforming our public schools, making them better."
6/13/11 Tata wants more feedback on Blue, Green plans
"Wake County Superintendent Tony Tata wants more feedback about two assignment plans before a final decision is made. Tata met with the school board Monday to update members."
6/10/11 Bill sparks debate between NC Assoc. of Educators, GOP
"The General Assembly approved a bill this week that takes aim at the North Carolina Association of Educators. The bill would eliminate an option educators now have to directly deliver a portion of their pay checks to the NCAE."
6/7/11 Wake school board to discuss new code of conduct to limit suspensions
"Students in Wake county could face fewer out-of-school suspensions for bad behavior. Tuesday, the Wake County School Board will look at changes to the system's zero tolerance policies for suspensions."
6/1/11 Parents speak out on student assignment plan options
"Wake County School Administrators held their first series of informational meetings focused on new student assignment plans."
5/26/11 Wake parents initially prefer Blue school plan, but ask about middle and high schools
"First responses from Wake County parents to the county school board's assignment proposals showed a strong preference for the Blue plan over the Green, but tempered that with hundreds of questions about why middle and high school assignments had not been included."
5/26/11 Teachers, parents and students rally for education funding
"Community education supporters in Guilford County are standing up saying "no more" to cuts to education from the state."
5/26/11 Educators say proposed cuts could jeopardize educational programs
"Educators and legislative leaders are speaking out against a proposed budget that would jeopardize funding for some of the smallest children across the state."
5/25/11 Rev. Barber to continue 'extreme' protests against budget plan
"The president of the North Carolina NAACP says he will continue what he called "extreme'' protests against the Republican-backed budget bill."
5/24/11 Rev. Barber, others, arrested at the General Assembly
"I arrived at the General Assembly this afternoon just after the incident that resulted in the Rev. William Barber's arrest. Barber, state head of the NAACP, was there for a "people's budget" session that began at 4 p.m. in the 3rd floor auditorium."
5/24/11 CMS board's attempt to delay teacher pay plan fails
"Another attempt to stall Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools plan to link teacher pay to student performance has failed."
5/24/11 Education dollars at stake in NC Senate budget
"The battle over the budget is heating up in the State Senate. Senate Republicans say their newly unveiled $19 billion plan reforms education, and adds more than 1,100 teachers."
5/17/11 Wake Co. School Board approves redistricting and some layoffs
"The school board voted to cut 174 secretarial and clerical jobs. Some are open positions that will not be filled, but there will still be 95 layoffs as of July 1."
5/17/11 Wake school board approves redistricting map in 5 to 3 vote
"After much discussion, the Wake County School Board approved a redistricting map in a five to three vote on Tuesday. The school system redraws the boundaries every ten years, and with all of the growth in Wake County the districts became unbalanced."
5/5/11 Superintendent Tata reviews first 90 days
"After three months on the job, the superintendent of the Wake County Public School System answered questions about student assignment, board redistricting and more."
5/5/11 Office of Civil Rights holds public hearing on Wake Schools
"Martin Street Baptist Church was packed with parents wanting to sound off about Wake County School Board policies Wednesday."
5/4/11 Perdue speaks out about education cuts
"Governor Bev Perdue continues to speak out against education cuts in the state spending plan. She answered questions from reporters about the budget Wednesday while she toured Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School."
5/4/11 OCR hears criticism of Wake school plan
"A panel of federal education officials listened intently to the more than two dozen speakers who shared their thoughts on the actions of the Wake County school board."
5/3/11 Teachers rally for their students, their jobs
"A Wake County teacher's assistant shares how possible budget cuts could impact her family."
4/29/11 Wake Co. Schools expected to unveil assignment plans, vote on budget
"Wake County Supt Tony Tata says the board will vote on the budget next Tuesday and cuts will be severe."
4/29/11 Superintendent Tata to present assignment models
"Wake County superintendent Tony Tata announced on Friday he will soon present assignment models being reviewed by the task force he formed for public comment."
4/28/11 CMS teacher pay bill moves on to State Senate
"A proposal that would affect the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System has now won support from the full State House. The idea is that teachers would be given pay based on performance."
4/21/11 The return of school resegregation
"The U.S. Dept. of Education says schools are more segregated than ever. Soledad O'Brien examines the issue and asks why."
4/13/11 'Meck Future' group urges commissions to save education jobs
"The newly formed "Meck Future" is urging the county commission to take advantage of growing property values and put much of that money back into the classroom and save jobs."
4/13/11 Atkinson: Budget cuts put NC schools 'in reverse'
"Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson says North Carolina's public schools cannot sustain the budget cuts proposed by House Republicans."
4/12/11 Gorman to present budget to CMS board
"Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Dr. Peter Gorman will present his budget to the school board Tuesday. A projected $100 million shortfall could mean CMS will need to lay off more than 550 teachers and slash the number of available seats in the Bright Beginnings pre-K program."
4/12/11 Making the case for nonpartisan redistricting (video)
"Fourteen Democrats and nine Republicans have signed on to House Bill 824 to reform North Carolina's redistricting process."
4/11/11 Wake voters learn how redistricting impacts school board elections
"This year the Wake County School Board must redraw its district lines in accordance with 2010 census numbers. The Republican-controlled school board has hired a private attorney with ties to the GOP to redraw the lines."
4/8/11 Wake schools head holds press conference
4/7/11 'Race to the Top' planning a challenge
"State Board of Education members received an update about Race to the Top initiatives Thursday. North Carolina was one of a handful of states awarded Race to the Top funds from the federal program last fall."?
4/7/11 Charter School bill heads to House for vote
"The controversial Charter School Bill is on its way to the House floor for a vote Thursday afternoon."
4/6/11 Community sounds off on Wake school's response to civil rights probe
"Parents, students and concerned citizens called Wake County school's response to the U.S. Department of Education's Office Civil Right's Office investigation "intentionally misleading and grossly incompetent" Tuesday night at a school board meeting. The investigation is looking into claims of racial discrimination in student assignments and the elimination of the socioeconomic diversity policy."
4/5/11 Wake considers change for 14 year-round schools
"The Wake County Board of Education held a public hearing Tuesday, allowing the public to offer input about the budget proposed by Wake County Schools Superintendent Tony Tata."
4/4/11 Students enlighten Perdue on perils of school budget cuts
"Gov. Bev Perdue dropped by West Charlotte High School on Monday afternoon during a jobs tour in the Queen City. She visited three classrooms and heard all about the gains the once troubled school has made over the last five years."
3/31/11 CMS spends $2 million on increase in student testing
"Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will spend close to $2 million to create more tests for students."
3/30/11 NAACP proposes furloughs for administrators to save teacher jobs
"For the first time, members of the Charlotte Mecklenburg branch of the NAACP sat down with Superintendent Dr. Peter Gorman to discuss ways to avoid deep budget cuts. The organization has been at odds with the school system for months. It's resulted in protests, acts of civil disobedience, allegations of racism and arrests."
3/29/11 School board denies discrimination
3/29/11 Wake School Board Chair closer to voting on all issues
"Tuesday, the State House of Representatives introduced a bill removing a restriction in the state law which only allows Wake's school board chair to vote when it's necessary to break a tie."
3/29/11 High school accreditation weighing less on college admissions
"A bill inching towards approval in the legislature could make accreditation a little less important in North Carolina, but some out-of-state schools don't even consider it."
3/28/11 Program hopes to boost black students' graduation rate
"Wake County schools' Helping Hands Mentoring Program aims to boost the graduation rate of black students by focusing on children before they get to high school."
3/24/11 Foxx to veto budget with funding cuts aimed at CMS resource officers
"Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx reiterated his push to keep city funding intact for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools resource officers Thursday. The plan right now would have the city phase out nearly $1 million in funding for the officers in the coming years."
3/23/11 CMS must cover cost of officers as city pulls funding
"Leaders from the city of Charlotte are telling Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to come up with nearly $1 million to fund security resource officers. In recent years, the city used stimulus money to fund those positions but that money will no longer be available."
3/23/11 CMS considers privatizing more services
"Faced with a possible $100 million shortfall, the Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board is considering privatizing more services. It's all in an effort to save money. Last school year, the district contracted out more than $30 million in services."
3/23/11 Hunt pleads case for Smart Start to NC lawmakers
"Jim Hunt understands every state agency must take cuts during difficult fiscal times but urged North Carolina lawmakers to avoid damaging the Smart Start early childhood program he helped create nearly 20 years ago."
3/21/11 Plan to bring in new teachers irks those fighting layoffs
"Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is looking to hire up to 100 teachers for the upcoming 2011-2012 school year as part of a project called TEACH Charlotte."
3/21/11 Administrators plead with Wake Co. lawmakers for education funding
"Monday, Wake County education leaders pleaded their case to lawmakers for state funding."
3/21/11 Moore County parents hope to stop school closure
"Big budget woes are affecting a small Moore County elementary school, creating the possibility that the top performing facility could be shut down forever."
3/16/11 Wake Schools on 'accredited warned' status by AdvancEd
"The Wake County Public School System will retain its full high school accreditation, while being placed on "accredited warned" status until the November 2011."
3/16/11 Wake Schools retain accreditation for now
"Wake County Schools will keep its accreditation but barely. Accrediting agency AdvancEd placed the school system on "accredited warn" status, which means the board temporarily keeps accreditation while working to implement action steps."
3/16/11 Gorman: CMS layoff notices to go out next month
"Superintendent Peter Gorman said Wednesday that layoff notices will be distributed next month to hundreds of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools employees."
3/16/11 CMS faces millions in retrofitting costs
"Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools are preparing to spend millions after voting to close schools next year. The money will be used on construction costs to transform the buildings at Marie G. Davis and Waddell High School to accommodate younger students. Changes will also be made at schools that are expanding to include additional grade levels."
3/15/11 Charter school bill approved by N.C. House panel
"North Carolina lawmakers have taken another step toward ending the current limit of 100 charter schools. Democrats think the bill would be the first step toward destroying traditional public schools."
3/15/11 Tata outlines budget recommendations
"Protect teachers in the classrooms, but some other school system employees will lose their jobs. That's the grim reality the Wake County School System is facing in the fall."
3/10/11 N.C. near bottom in per-pupil spending, teacher pay
"The economic downturn tightened the pocketbooks for education leaders across the state, but a report shows North Carolina is now near the bottom of per-pupil spending and teacher pay."
3/9/11 School board approves guidelines for teacher layoffs
"Almost 400 Charlotte Mecklenburg teachers could be out of a job next year. Tuesday night, the school board approved guidelines that determine who will get a pink slip."
3/9/11 CMS teachers, staff face more than 550 layoffs
"Teachers in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools now have a better idea of who may not have a job next year. Tuesday night, the school board approved the process that will determine who stays and who goes."
3/8/11 Charter School Battle Heats Up In NC
"Bills have been introduced in both chambers of the North Carolina Legislature which would raise or eliminate the Charter School cap."
3/8/11 CMS board to discuss new criteria for teacher layoffs
"Superintendent Dr. Peter Gorman will ask the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board to approve the criteria that will be used to layoff hundreds of teachers. Gorman says the move is necessary in order to deal with an estimated $100 million budget shortfall."
3/6/11 Now in House, charter school debate rages on
"The debate over Senate Bill 8, which ends North Carolina's limit of 100 charter schools, continues."
3/4/11 CMS teaching assistants scramble to complete requirements
"Charlotte-Mecklenburg teaching assistants tell News 14 Carolina they were surprised to get a letter last week requiring that all be in line with the federal No Child Left Behind requirement in the coming months."
3/4/11 Tata answers tough questions about school assignments
"There were some tough questions Thursday night for Wake County School's new Superintendent Tony Tata."
http://triangle.news14.com/content/school_news/637587/tata-answers-tough...
3/4/11 Cumberland County Lawmakers And School Board To Protest Charter School Bill
"House Democrats and Cumberland County school board members will protest a bill lifting the cap on charter schools Friday."
3/3/11 Federal Rules Eliminate School Lunch Data From Wake County Consideration
"A federal ruling bans Wake County from using certain socioeconomic data when assigning students to schools."
3/3/11 Teachers' union targets conservatives
"The state's association of educators is using a hit from the 1970s to take a jab at several prominent conservatives who want to change education."
3/2/11 Wake superintendent to discuss diversity with NAACP president
"Wake County schools Superintendent Tony Tata and N.C. NAACP President Rev. William Barber are meeting Wednesday to discuss diversity. Barber requested the meeting saying he wanted to build a stronger relationship with Tata."
3/2/11 Wake School Board wants change to allow chairman to vote
"However, the full board voted Tuesday night to press state lawmakers to change a statute specific to Wake County and to allow the school board chair to vote on every item that comes before the board."
2/25/11 Bill Clinton Criticizes Wake Co. School Board
"Bill Clinton slams the Wake County School Board for its decision to eliminate the diversity policy."
2/25/11 Wake School Board defines its mission at retreat
"Wake School Board members spent the day at a workshop defining their mission, values and goals."
2/24/11 Tata challenges Clinton to visit Wake Schools
"Wake County Schools Superintendent Tony Tata has issued a challenge to former president Bill Clinton."
2/24/11 Science test shows 4th graders excel, 8th graders struggle
"Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools got a mixed bag of results Thursday from a national test on science."
2/24/11 Court of Appeals may reinstate lawsuit against Wake school board
"The N.C. Court of Appeals is deciding whether to reinstate a lawsuit against the Wake County School Board."
2/24/11 Court of appeals to hear lawsuit against Wake school board
"Thursday, the N.C. Court of Appeals will hear a lawsuit against the Wake County School Board. Supporters of the system's diversity policy sued the board saying they violated the state's open meeting law."
2/23/11 CMS leaders brace for deeper cuts than expected
"The Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board is learning that state cuts could be deeper than expected. The chief financial officer from the State Department of Public Instruction briefed board members about the governor's proposed budget Tuesday evening."
2/21/11 CMS middle school pilots new anti-bullying program
"The new program involves additional training for school administrators to better identify, address and track the issue. Under the program, there will be a hotline established for parents to text their concerns. It will allow administrators to follow up and parents can remain anonymous."
2/18/11 CMS learns Race to the Top funding more than expected
"Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will receive more than $18 million in Race to the Top funding."
2/18/11 Accreditation agency continues investigation into Wake schools
"It's day two of an accreditation agency's investigation into the Wake County School Board. AdvancEd is interviewing school officials following a complaint filed by the NAACP regarding the dismantling of the schools system's diversity policy."
2/17/11 Accreditation agency investigates Wake school board
"An accreditation agency is beginning its investigation into the Wake County School Board. AdvancEd will begin interviewing board members Thursday about the dismantling of the system's diversity policy."
2/17/11 AdvancEd Begins Review Process Of WCPSS
"Accreditation agency AdvancEd started its two-day interview process at the Wake County School Board headquarters where it is scheduled to interview school board members, students and parents."
2/15/11 WCPSS Board Members Agree To End Student Assignment Committee
"The Wake County School Board agreed Tuesday to abolish the Student Assignment Committee, laying the task of creating a new assignment plan into the new Superintendent's hands."
2/12/11 Raleigh Marchers Fight 'Re-segregation' Plan
"The Wake County School Board wants to end consideration of a student's race and socioeconomic group in making school assignments. Today's march was the latest skirmish in a year-long and very emotional battle."
2/8/11 Decision imminent on cutting Bright Beginnings program
"Tuesday, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Board of Education is expected to vote on whether to cut more than $10 million from the Bright Beginnings program. The move would eliminate 2,000 seats from the pre-kindergarten program aimed at helping students who are not on track for kindergarten."
2/7/11 Neighborhood Schools In Charlotte -- 10 Years Later
"Critics of the move to neighborhood schools in Wake County warn it could lead to high-poverty, segregated schools."
2/5/11 Leaders prepare to implement school closure procedures
"Principals and staff at Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools will begin to implement transition plans for students affected by school closures."
2/5/11 Wake Schools Aim To Improve Student Achievement
"The Wake County School District is asking the community to help them find ways to raise the achievement levels of some minority groups."
2/2/11 Dems worry lifting charter school cap could lead to resegregation
"While Guilford County Sen. Gladys Robinson raised concerns about the performance standards and accountability of more charter schools, other Democrats worried about segregation."
2/1/11 Wake School Board To Vote On Reassignment, Tata To Be Sworn In
"Monday was the first day on the job for Wake County Superintendent Tony Tata. As he walked in the door he faced tough questions about his thoughts on neighborhood schools."
1/31/11 'Project Lift' initiative aimed at raising West Charlotte graduation rates
"Donors across the Charlotte area are launching a multimillion dollar push to support eight schools in northwest Charlotte. Monday morning at 10 a.m. area leaders are expected to gather in west Charlotte to unveil "Project Lift."
1/31/11 First day on the job for Wake schools' new leader
"Monday is the first official day on the job for new Wake County Schools Superintendent Tony Tata. He is scheduled to tour several schools and meet with administrators, teachers and students."
1/30/11 Children pick subjects at Virginia magnet school
"Children pick what they'll study at a Virgnia magnet school, reports Project Education: Edutopia, a partnership between WRAL-TV and the George Lucas Educational Foundation."
1/27/11 State senator proposes ending charter school limits
"Republican Sen. Richard Stevens of Wake County on Thursday introduced a bill that would remove a cap on the number of charter schools that's been in place since in 1996."
1/27/11 Wake board continues work on student assignment
"The Wake County School Board meets again Thursday for another day of work on the student assignment plan."
1/26/11 CMS board votes to change bell schedules, delays decision on pre-K program
"The biggest decision the board made Tuesday was to delay voting on Bright Beginnings cuts."
1/26/11 CMS middle school sports likely to be cut
"Changing bell schedules and eliminating the amount of extra resources given to high poverty schools are just a fraction of the cuts in front of the Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board. Wednesday, district leaders said middle school sports will likely be eliminated."
1/26/11 Parents, advocates rally to keep 'Bright Beginnings' funded
"It is another cut in a series of cuts that have disproportionately impacted those who are most at risk," Janet Singerman, President of the early childhood advocacy group Child Care Resources said. "Those who are poor and minority communities."
1/25/11 CMS board to vote on first round of budget cuts
"The Charlotte Mecklenburg Board of Education will vote Tuesday on its first round of budget cuts. A number of items are up for consideration including cuts to transportation and specialized pre-K programs."
1/22/11 Student Assignment Public Hearing Videos Online
"The first three student assignment public hearings - Jan. 12 at Millbrook High, Jan. 13 at Heritage High, and Jan. 19 at Southeast Raleigh High - are now online. They can also be accessed from the 2011-12 Reassignment Proposal website. The following hearings from Garner High and Cary High will be posted as they are converted to QuickTime."
1/20/11 Tedesco finds Colbert remarks "hilarious"
"He also said he was not offended by the comments and doesn't think it's an embarrassment to Wake County."
1/20/11 Public hearings on student assignment continue
"The hearing was held at Southeast Raleigh High School, which is one of the areas most impacted by reassignments next year."
1/20/11 Reaction mixed to Goldman's accreditation position switch
"Community reaction is pouring in after Wake School Board member Debra Goldman decided Wednesday she does want to cooperate with accrediting agency AdvancED. The agency has been trying to investigate school board policies and decisions."
1/19/11 Colbert disintegrates Tedesco: Watch
"Stephen Colbert gets it right about the Wake County schools, diversity and its reverse-"disintegration":
1/19/11 Public hearings on student assignment continue
"Wake County parents have another chance Wednesday to speak out about decisions that could change where students get assigned next school year. The school board has been holding a series of public hearings on the issue before making any changes."
1/19/11 Wake County Parents Voices Varied Concerns About School Board
"Some board members were taken to task by parent Erin Byrd who said, "Our school board is really challenged right now," she contended. "Instead of encouraging unity ... it's encouraging a lot of division."
1/18/11 Wake Schools budget could mean larger class sizes
"School leaders gave the Wake Board of Education a budget update Tuesday afternoon. Even if the school system doesn't have to cut teachers, class sizes will still likely be larger in the coming years."
1/18/11 NBC-17 Looks Into Other Accreditation Options For Wake Co. Schools
"NBC-17 looked at those agencies to see how their policies compare to AdvancEd's approach."
1/14/11 Accreditation Agency Aware Of Wake Schools' Past Merit, Rejects Board's Requests
"In a letter to the Wake County School Board, a Georgia-based accrediting agency says it will not grant the system's request for preferential treatment based on past merit."
1/14/11 U.S. Education chief chides Wake School Board in letter
"The U.S. Secretary of Education has criticized the Wake County school board over its decision to end a busing for diversity program."
1/13/11 Small crowd on-hand for second school assignment meeting
"It was a small crowd at Heritage High School Thursday night for the second of five public hearings on Wake County's student assignment plan for next year."
1/13/11 Wake School Board Paints Picture Of Blemish-Free Accreditation History
"In a letter to a Georgia-based accrediting agency, the Wake County School Board explained that its "stellar" 70-year history should be taken into account during its review process."
1/12/11 Coverage of Millbrook High School Meeting
1/12/11 Wake Co. Parent Shares Her Story On School Accreditation
"North Raleigh resident Lora Roa attended an unaccredited high school in rural South Carolina and said the lack of accreditation hurt her chances of getting in schools that recruited her."
1/11/11 Wake Co. High Schools At Risk Of Losing Accreditation
"The Wake County School Board must decide whether it will cooperate with an accrediting agency's investigation or risk losing its high schools' accreditation."
1/8/11 Incoming Wake Superintendent stresses importance of diversity
"Wake County's next superintendent continued introducing himself to the Triangle this weekend, meeting Saturday morning with leaders in the African-American community."
1/8/11 Wake superintendent tight-lipped on plans
"Wake County's new school superintendent is staying tight-lipped on his plans for diversity and raising student achievement."
1/7/11 Tony Tata Visits More Schools And Holds News Conference
1/7/11 Tata holds first news conference
"Retired Army Brig. Gen. Tony Tata spoke with the media for about 30 minutes before going into a closed door meeting with the school board."
1/6/11 New Wake County superintendent visits with school board
"The new Wake County schools superintendent has a full agenda Thursday. Retired Brig. Gen. Tony Tata was hired in December after former superintendent Dr. Del Burns resigned last year and publicly criticized the school board and its elimination of the student diversity policy."
1/5/11 Wake School Board Debates Calendar For New Elementary School
"Yet board member John Tedesco said, "We made a promise to county commissioners and taxpayers that the new school would open as a year-round school."
1/5/11 New Wake schools leader talks to WRAL
1/5/11 Gorman: Magnet programs could change amidst budget uncertainty
"Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Dr. Peter Gorman used his first media briefing of the year Wednesday to discuss the district's upcoming magnet fair. This weekend, students and parents will get a one-stop-shop opportunity to learn about the various programs offered within CMS. But Gorman is urging families to keep in mind that due to looming budget cuts, those offerings could change over the next couple of months."
1/4/11 Wake Co. School Board Reviews Assignment Plans Again; Residents Sound Off On Superintendent Hiring
"Wake School Board members are looking at more possible assignment changes, which could potentially move an entire neighborhood from Panther Creek to Green Hope High School."
1/4/11 Wake School Board finalizes reassignment changes
"The Wake County School Board met Tuesday to discuss a plan that would move thousands of students to different schools next fall."
12/15/10 Wake School Board Rejects Considering Southeast Raleigh Move
"Democratic board members and Vice Charwoman, Debra Goldman, voted to stop further discussion on the issue. Goldman broke with GOP allies saying she had concerns that the suggestions to move Southeast Raleigh students came too heavily from families wanting those students out of their schools, not the families themselves."
11/30/10 Thousands Of Wake Co. Students Could Be Reassigned
"During Tuesday afternoon's Student Assignment Committee meeting, three citizen advisory members laundry listed dozens of school node changes to get students in schools closer to home."
11/16/10 Wake schools face steep budget concerns
"The struggle to fill a multi-million dollar budget gap has Wake County Schools bracing for the worst."
11/10/10 Wake School Board makes changes to meetings, new high school name
"There once again was heated discussion Tuesday night at Wake County's School Board meeting and work session."
11/4/10 More charter schools likely in North Carolina
"When North Carolina voted in a Republican majority to the General Assembly this week, charter school advocates applauded. That's because right now, the state limits the number of charter schools to 100. But, in its top ten legislative priorities, the GOP says they will remove the charter cap."
10/29/10 Superintendent Gorman gives State of Schools address
"The best year so far for Charlotte Mecklenburg schools is overshadowed by impending budget cuts. Superintendent Dr. Peter Gorman outlined an increase in student achievement during his annual "State of Our Schools" address."
10/28/10 Harding students walk out to protest CMS relocation plan
"Hundreds of Harding University High School students walked out in protest Thursday over a proposal by Charlotte-Mecklenburg school leaders to close the school."
10/28/10 NAACP flyer calls school board members 'segregationists'
"The NAACP sent out a flyer calling four Republican school board members segregationists."
10/28/10 Emotions run high at CMS meeting at Harding High School
"An estimated 1,100 people packed into Harding's gym. They were all asking Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools leaders to save their school from extinction and Smith Academy from relocation."
10/27/10 Gorman: CMS changes a 'no-win' situation
"Superintendent Peter Gorman is weighing in on public outcry over the comprehensive review plan: the arrests, angry protests and claims of racism."
10/22/10 Wake Commissioner Candidates Talk Schools
"Four Wake County commissioners and their challengers turned out for a forum on Wednesday night in Cary to discuss issues regarding schools."
10/21/10 Deadline passes for New Hanover County redistricting
"On Monday the school board signed a letter of assurance to the instruction department stating its middle school redistricting plan does not segregate schools. Nearly $800,000 in state funding is at risk if segregation is found there. Some board members said the findings were based on projected growth."
10/19/10 Wake School Board debates school assignment plan again
"At Tuesday's work session the Wake County Board of Education presented a draft of the existing student assignment plan that calls for node assignments, calendar conversions and school designations."
10/18/10 NAACP to unveil new proposal for CMS changes
"The NAACP and its legal counsel say they will unveil a proposal at 6 p.m. at Little Rock AME Zion Church."
10/18/10 New Hanover County School Board discusses redistricting efforts
"The New Hanover County School Board continues to battle over controversial issues. School redistricting and the racial make-up of the schools could cause the school system to lose almost $800,000 in state funding."
10/16/10 Forum discusses impact on Wake School Board policy changes
“It's all part of Great Schools in Wake Coalition's Fall forum held at the McKimmon Center on the NC State University campus. Members have been concerned with the policy changes the school board makes and the impact it will have on communities.”
10/14/10 Teachers not happy with Wake school board
“Most of the teachers surveyed say they have a positive impression of their schools and the Wake County public school system in general. However, when the questions turned to the board, the answers were less favorable.”
10/8/10 Wake schools' former chief speaks out
"You can't have everything. If you want freedom from student assignment every year, then you have to give up something," he says."
10/7/10 Tedesco rethinks comments made at heated school board meeting
"Goldman hasn't responded to Tedesco's name calling since the meeting."
10/6/10 Parents react to abandonment of assignment zones
"Tuesday night's Wake County school board meeting was a disappointment for some and a victory for others."
10/1/10 Student Involved In School Board Complaint Says Minorities Are Singled Out
"A local high school student who joined the NAACP complaint against the Wake County School Board says he feels minorities have been singled out."
9/30/10 Student achievement must be considered in advance of any reassignment plan
"Last week the North Carolina chapter of the NAACP filed a formal complaint with U.S. Justice Department about the Wake County School Board's decision to end its socioeconomic diversity policy. Now parents throughout the county are speaking out about the board's latest version of a 16-zone assignment scheme."
9/23/10 Controlled Choice Schools: Could It Work In Wake County?
"But the Chamber of Commerce and the non-profit Wake Education Partnership recently hired Massachusetts education consultant Michael Alves to draft a plan of his own for the board's consideration."
9/17/10 Consultant hired to develop new Wake assignment plan
"The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Wake Education Partnership hired Michael Alves from Massachusetts to come up with a new student assignment plan that could go against a plan school board members are developing. Alves is known for developing "controlled choice" assignment options around the country."
9/16/10 Raleigh chamber, nonprofit hire consultant for Wake schools
"The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Wake Education Partnership are talking about issues related to a proposed student assignment plan for Wake County's public schools."
9/12/10 Charter schools unhappy with Race to the Top winning
"Senator Eddie Goodall of Union County said that while he is pleased the state won, he is disappointed it was rewarded even though the state failed to lift the cap of 100 charter schools that has been on the books for 14 years."
9/8/10 School leaders react to list of 32 that could face closure
"The futures of 32 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools are up in the air. Superintendent Peter Gorman released the list Tuesday, saying the schools could be expanded, downsized or closed."
9/7/10 Wake school board discusses budget, suspensions
"At a meeting Tuesday, Wake County school board members discussed whether federal funding will help soften the budget blow this year and also decided to do away with one of their policies."
8/28/10 Parents being asked to help fill budget gaps in schools
"Parents are being called upon in an unprecedented manner to fill economic gaps created by shrinking school budgets."
8/27/10 School board chairman stands by decision to stop busing
"Wake County School Board Chairman Ron Margiotta stuck to his decision to support stopping the busing program in schools."
8/25/10 School officials stress responsibility, accountability for new school year
"With a clean slate, school administrators are stressing the importance of parent involvement. They want parents to take an active role in meeting teachers, going to open houses and asking plenty of questions."
8/24/10 NC Wins ‘Race To The Top' School Reform Grant
"This will allow North Carolina to continue the tradition of being a leader in public education," said June Atkinson, state schools superintendent."
8/24/10 Kati Haycock, Education Trust, President
"Kati Haycock, President of the Education Trust, looks at the reports done by Education Trust which look at gaps in education when it comes to minority students."
8/20/10 Dornan: Teacher retention, better funding are challenges for new neighborhood schools
"Classes resume Wednesday for most of North Carolina's public schools. And in Wake County, the new year begins with as much if not more tension than the previous school year."
8/18/19 Watch Margiotta's flip flop on high-poverty schools
8/17/10 Accreditation agency investigates Wake County Schools
"An AdvancED special review team will spend three days in Wake County sometime in late September or mid-October to investigate the school system."
8/12/10 Many supporting teen arrested at Wake board meeting
"His mother isn't the only one by his side; friends have been congratulating him for standing up for what he feels is right."
8/12/10 Barber, Tedesco face off at WRAL
"The debate over Wake County public schools moved to the WRAL studios on Thursday when two men most often associated with the school assignment controversy - N.C. NAACP president Rev. William Barber and school board member John Tedesco - faced off."
8/11/10 CMS board passes guiding principles for student assignment
"Moving forward, Charlotte-Mecklenburg students are now guaranteed a seat in a school that's close to home. Tuesday night, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board passed a set of guiding principles to help create home schools while still maintaining diversity."
8/10/10 Religious leaders talk possible legal action against the Wake school board
"Outside a closed door meeting with fellow clergy and attorneys at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh, N.C. NAACP President Rev. Dr. William Barber, a representative from the North Carolina Council of Churches and fellow Wake school board protest arrestees talked future tactics on how they plan to take on the changing policies of the board."
8/10/10 Several protesters arrested outside Wake school board meeting
"Another Wake County School Board meeting and more arrests. Raleigh police arrested six people after they refused to leave the microphone and sit down during the public comment portion of the meeting."
8/6/10 Former Gov. Jim Hunt: Diversity Essential for Successful Schools
"Yesterday former Gov. Jim Hunt, addressing the NC Chamber's Education Summit, spoke powerfully about the importance of diversity to creating successful schools and students."
7/30/10 Parents meet to discuss carpools to magnet schools
"Hundreds of parents from Phillip O. Berry Academy and Harding University High School met Thursday night to talk about carpooling options for the upcoming school year. Because of a tight budget year, the district decided to implement shuttle stops for magnet students."
7/29/10 WCPSS releases sample maps for new school zoning
"The time to voice your opinion is now. Sample maps showing options for school zoning in Wake County are up on the school board website."
7/28/10 NAACP Meets with Michael Alves
7/27/10 Wake Student Assignment Committee To Meet, NAACP To Hold News Conference
"The Wake County Schools' neighborhood plan will once again be the topic of conversation as the school board is bringing in a student assignment consultant to review its diversity policy."
7/27/10 CMS school board passes revised equity policy
"It also no longer defines what resources, like books and technology, each student should have access to. That determination will now be left to the discretion of the superintendent."
7/27/10 Consultant pitches controlled choice to Wake School Board
"The school board's student assignment committee on Tuesday heard from Michael Alves, the architect of the controlled choice method of assigning students. He says it achieves diversity through parent choice."
7/23/10 CNN Barber/Tedesco video link
7/22/10 Wake school board member seeks apology from officer
"Wake County school board member Keith Sutton is seeking an apology from the police officer who tried to arrest him when protesters disrupted Tuesday's board meeting."
7/21/10 Perdue Speaks Out About Wake County Schools
"It's always been my belief that people really have the obligation to stand up and speak out when they feel passionately about something -- whether it's in the public sector or private sector," said Governor Bev Perdue."
7/21/10 19 arrested as protesters claim school plan would resegregate system
"Another minister, David Forbes, also spoke at the rally, saying, "'Neighborhood schools' is a trick word to re-segregate a city that worked hard to bring about a progressive new possibility."
7/21/10 Slideshow from Education Rally
7/21/10 Ed Schultz Interviews Rev. William Barber
7/20/10 More than a dozen protestors arrested at Wake school board meeting
"Barber and Petty were charged with second degree trespassing. Moss was charged with resisting, delaying or obstructing a law enforcement officer. All three were transported to the Wake County Jail."
7/20/10 Organizers prepare for heated school board rally
"Protestors, supporters, ticket vouchers and the police could make for another volatile meeting Tuesday of the Wake County Board of Education."
7/20/10 Racial Tensions Roil Wake Co. School Board; 19 Arrests
"Protesters and police scuffled Tuesday at a school board meeting in North Carolina over claims that a new busing system would resegregate schools, roiling racial tensions reminiscent of the 1960s."
7/20/10 Arrests follow NAACP protest of Wake schools
"The first arrests Late Tuesday afternoon included NAACP chief Reverend William Barber and Reverend Nancy Petty - senior pastor at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church."
7/19/10 Wake County School BOE Leaders Change Meeting Rules
"A planned protest by the NAACP has Wake County Board of Education leaders changing the rules for the school board meeting Tuesday."
Superintendent search hearings
7/17/10 N.C. NAACP president responds to Wake Co. School Board meeting ban
"In response, Barber issued a statement Friday which said, "let them send us a thousand letters. What they need to do is send a letter of apology for wrecking the nationally acclaimed diversity policy and slowing the struggle to improve excellent educational opportunities for poor and minority children."
7/13/10 Residents Weigh In On Wake County Superintendent Search
"Residents had their first chance to say what they're looking for in the next Wake County superintendent."
7/13/10 Search firm gets public input on next superintendent
"County residents got their first chance Tuesday night to tell members of a private search firm what characteristics they'd like to see in the next Wake County Schools superintendent."
7/7/10 Superintendent: Students need to see, experience diversity
"Dr. June Atkinson says she is distressed that the Wake County school board continues its move away from the system's socioeconomic diversity policy."
7/6/10 NAACP, Barber continue push against Wake Schools
"The group is vowing to keep Wake County public schools from becoming community schools, which it fears will lead to resegregation."
7/6/10 Commissioners buy 2nd site for new high school
"Wake County Commissioners voted Tuesday to spend $4.3 million to buy land in Rolesville for the new Forest Ridge High School."
7/6/10 Groups rally against school 'resegregation'
"The North Carolina NAACP and African Methodist Episcopal Zion Churches of the eastern district of the state rally against the plan by the Wake County Public School System that they allege with resegregate schools in the county."
6/28/10 CMS discusses use of magnet schools in review
"The Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board is reviewing community feedback. Through a series of forums, the public weighed in on various topics ranging magnet programs, student assignment and diversity. It's all a part of the district's comprehensive review that could lead to closing schools, changing boundaries and modifying programs."
6/24/10 Enloe High School may be renamed
"A Wake County School Board committee recommended changing policy to allow schools to be named after people. Currently, schools are named according to their geographic location."
6/24/10 Raleigh mayor studies legality of student assignment policy
"Raleigh's mayor wants to put together a panel of experts to look at the legality of the Wake County School Board's new student assignment policy."
6/22/10 Wake schools step toward community-based assignments
"Wake County school leaders have a busy several months ahead as they start the transition towards community-based school assignments. It's a move that some community groups said has been a long time coming."
6/16/10 Protesters, school board members vow to keep fighting
"Four protestors that were arrested for staging a sit-in at a Wake County school board meeting have vowed to continue their fight against the school board's elimination of the diversity policy."
6/16/10 NAACP Says Protests Against School Policy Will Continue
"State NAACP leaders say they're willing to break the law again in order to protect a larger law to defend Wake County students."
6/16/10 Rev. Barber: Wake facing public emergency
"This ill considered decision seeks to wipe away in six months what it took more than a century of tears and sweat and blood, and even death, to accomplish," Barber said."
6/15/10 Police Arrest 4 In Protest Of WCPSS Policy
"We are willing to break a lesser law and accept our punishment in order to protect the larger law embodied in the federal and state constitutions and to defend the children of our community," said a statement issued by the state chapter of the NAACP in the name of the four activists."
6/10/10 Cash Michaels, Gov. Perdue Backs "War" Against School Resegregation in NC (VIDEO)
Wake County Schools Diversity Wake County leaders discuss education, segregation and diversity 30 years after the merger of Raleigh and Wake County school systems. Run time: 16:45 Click Here to view
Our students can tell you the value of diversity in our schools! And Capitol Broadcasting Company demonstrates how true business leaders value it as well. Watch: http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=zSOhKV3s0Oo__,_._,___
Randall and Goldman of the GOP on school assignments: Keep your inner-city kids out of "our" schools
A video from October, 2009 with Bill Randall, a candidate in today's Republican primary for Congress in the 13th District, campaigning with Debra Goldman, at the time a candidate for the Wake school board. Randall does the talking, Goldman the nodding, but the subject is Goldman's campaign for "community schools." And Randall couldn't be clearer: You who have invested in Cary, he says, have a right to your own schools, and the kids who are bused here from high-poverty areas of Raleigh and elsewhere have no right to be in them."
Tea party: Segregation not your cup of tea?
Watch John Tedesco's tea party speech, in which he says that Wake County schools should teach children to fish "and not have the government feed them." So if you're poor, it's like that kid's card game: "Go Fish".
5/28/10 Wake task force aims to help poor students achieve
"The Wake County school board's task force on economically disadvantaged students got to work on Thursday. The group is comprised of dozens of educators, school administrators, board members, community leaders and concerned parents."
5/25/10 Search committee works to fill Wake superintendent spot
"The search committee decided Tuesday night to hire one of eight headhunting firms, some of whose contract prices top $110,000."
5/21/10 Meetings Across The County Focus On Wake Co. Schools
"Trying to compare the distance students travel to school to whether or not we're getting the kind of success rates we want -- particularly with at risk students -- is a misnomer," contended Chuck Dulaney. "The two have nothing to do with each other."
5/21/10 Denlinger: "Perfect storm" looming for Wake Schools
"Dr. Ann Denlinger, president of the Wake Education Partnership, says implementing a new student assignment policy that favors neighborhood schools will require programmatic changes, busing changes, not to mention costs that the board majority has yet to consider."
http://pulse.ncpolicywatch.org/2010/05/21/denlinger-perfect-storm-loomin...
5/21/10 Diane Ravitch, New York University
http://www.vimeo.com/11553496
5/19/10 Wake County School Board ends diversity policy
"The Wake County Board of Education cast its final vote Tuesday to end the district's long standing diversity policy in favor of community schools."
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=7447570
5/18/10 NAACP Rallies Against Neighborhood Schools Plan
"On Monday night, the North Carolina NAACP called on the Wake County school board to scrap the plan and return to one based on diversity."
http://wake.mync.com/site/Wake/news/story/51613/naacp-rallies-to-ask-wak...
5/18/10 Wake School Board Votes To End Diversity Policy
"The Wake County School Board voted 5 to 4 Tuesday to eliminate the county's long-standing diversity policy. The new policy will establish a neighborhood schools system, while the decade-old policy sometimes required busing students from distant communities to improve diversity."
http://wake.mync.com/site/Wake/news/story/51640/wake-co.-school-board-to...
5/18/10 Kids' test answers on race brings mother to tears
"Her daughter is taking part in a new CNN pilot study on children's attitudes on race and her answers actually reflect one of the major findings of the study, that white children have an overwhelming bias toward white, and that black children also have a bias toward white but not nearly as strong as the bias shown by the white children."
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/05/18/doll.study.parents/index.html?hpt=C1
5/7/10 Juan Gonzalez: Big Banks Making a Bundle On New Construction as Schools Bear the Cost
"Wealthy investors and major banks have been making windfall profits by using a little-known federal tax break to finance new charter-school construction," Democracy Now! co-host Juan Gonzalez write in the New York Daily News. "The program, the New Markets Tax Credit, is so lucrative that a lender who uses it can almost double his money in seven years."
http://www.democracynow.org/2010/5/7/juan_gonzalez_big_banks_making_a
4/28/10 Professor: Wake's diversity policy was trumped by growth
"Wake has maintained high levels of student achievement, and they have maintained the spirit of the policy by preventing the resegreation of their schools along race and class lines," Houck said."
http://www.wral.com/news/education/story/7498524/
APRIL 27, Where the Bus Stop, Wral Special:
http://www.wral.com/news/local/documentaries/story/7463558/
4/26/10 Former Wake school board members speak out
"A group of 20 former Wake County Board of Education members gathered on Monday at the Murphey School in downtown Raleigh to voice their concerns about the current board."
http://news14.com/triangle-news-30-content/school_news/625045/former-wak...
4/26/10 Old school board members criticize new direction
"Twenty-two former members of the Wake County Public Schools Board of Education lined up Monday to criticize the new direction of the district in a news conference."
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=7407033
4/25/10 NAACP considers CMS redistricting plan 'resegregation'
"The Rev. Kojo Nantambu, president of the Charlotte NAACP, claims learning communities are an attempt to segregate children by putting all Title I schools, which typically serve low income and minority students, in just two zones. He calls the plan "blatant racism, unconstitutional and immoral."
http://news14.com/triangle-news-30-content/school_news/624979/naacp-considers-cms-redistricting-plan--resegregation-
4/23/10 Tedesco still drawing fire over Tea Party speech
"The Great Schools in Wake Coalition had also questioned whether Tedesco violated the board's code of ethics in a newsletter last week."
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/wakeed/tedesco-still-drawing-fire-over-tea-party-speech
4/23/10 Wake Neighborhood Schools "Vision" To Be Released, Controversy Continues
"Wake County school board member John Tedesco will make a presentation Friday about his vision for the community assignment plan and why he says it works. Tedesco has stressed it will allow parents more choice and will take about 9 to 15 months before the final makeup for the new schools zones will be finalized."
http://wake.mync.com/site/Wake/news/story/50830/wake-coalition-voices-st...
4/23/10 School board member to discuss assignment policy
"Tedesco will present the plan at a specially called board meeting Friday at 4 p.m. He stresses the plan for the community assignment zones will be developed during the next nine to 15 months."
http://news14.com/triangle-news-30-content/school_news/624874/school-boa...
4/22/10 Tedesco To Unveil First Version Of Community Based School Plan
"Tedesco has been putting out bits and pieces of the new assignment plan for a while. But a formalized version of it has never been seen by some school committee members."
http://wake.mync.com/site/Wake/news/story/50776/tedesco-to-unveil-first-version-of-community-based-school-plan/
4/22/10 Controversy again surrounds Wake school board
"Sutton says it would it be frustrating to know that Tedesco may be sharing his plan with other people before the other members of the school board."
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=7399421
4/21/10 Tedesco To Unveil First Version Of Community Based School Plan
"Community schools, neighborhood schools; whatever it is, it's not the answer," claimed Sutton. "If we go to a model like that we will create low performance schools that exist in Durham, Fayetteville and Charlotte where they got rid of the bussing policy."
http://wake.mync.com/site/Wake/news/story/50776/tedesco-to-unveil-first-...
4/21/10 Focal Point: Where the bus stops
"Focal Point: "Where the Bus Stops" looks at how Wake County's school system and its diversity policy works, why it was created, what impact it has had and the battle to dismantle it. It also looks at the politics behind the school board election and the claims of new school board members and parents who say the diversity policy isn't working, violates their rights and does little to help low-income, under-achieving students." http://www.wral.com/news/local/documentaries/story/7463558/
4/16/10 Gov. Tedesco? Hey, Sarah Palin was a local yokel before she was governor
"Think John Tedesco is focused on the Wake school board? Watch him at the Tea Party in Raleigh yesterday, attacking "social engineering" and then, yes, Gov. Bev Perdue. There's no shortage of demagogues in the N.C. Republican Party these days, but have you seen anyone smoother, or more nakedly ambitious, than JT? (Or, as someone today dubbed him, Tea Party Tedesco.)"
http://www.indyweek.com/citizen/archives/2010/04/16/gov-tedesco-hey-sara...
4/16/10 Wake school board to announce student assignment
"The Wake County school board is set to announce which students were assigned to magnet schools and the results of calendar year applications."
http://news14.com/triangle-news-30-content/school_news/624610/wake-schoo...
4/13/10 Duncan: Struggling sc4/21/10 Joint meeting to discuss Wake school diversity policy
"Raleigh's city council unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday expressing concern over any attempt to resegregate Wake County public schools."
http://news14.com/triangle-news-30-content/top_stories/624804/joint-meet...
4/19/10 Commissioners express concern about school diversity
"You don't change everything overnight when you have a nationally recognized system," Commissioner Betty Lou Ward said."
http://news14.com/triangle-news-30-content/school_news/624750/commission...
4/19/10 Board Jumps Into School Diversity Debate
"Wake County Commissioners jumped into the ongoing debate Monday over school diversity policy."
http://wake.mync.com/site/Wake/news/story/50695/board-jumps-into-school-...
Schools need to take chances on students "Education Secretary Arne Duncan said he wants North Carolina schools who receive a portion of $91 million in stimulus money to be willing to experiment to help failing students make up lost ground."
http://www.wral.com/news/education/video/7412546/
4/13/10 New Rolesville high school may not open until 2014
"The board voted to abandon the previous site despite staff warnings it would delay the opening of the school. The original site would have the high school open by 2012."
http://news14.com/triangle-news-30-content/school_news/624474/new-rolesv...
4/13/10 Wake County Schools Hiring Freeze Sends Chills To Hundreds Of Teachers
"Uncertainty over state funding has resulted in a hiring freeze being imposed on the Wake County School system."
4/7/10 Wake schools facing deeper cuts than expected
"Leaders already knew they might have to cut $20 million from the 2010-2011 budget, but now they've been told that number may be closer to $40 to $55 million."
4/7/10 Wake County school system faces tough budget year
"The school board has been working on about $20 million worth of cuts for the next year. On Tuesday, administrators say they need to prepare for a state reduction of another 3 percent - an additional $20 million."
4/6/10 NAACP Reacts To The Loss Of Education Grant In N.C.
"Members of the NAACP point to the Wake County School District as a reason why the state missed out on more than $469 million for education."
4/3/10 Tedesco to leave post at Big Brothers and Big Sisters
"In a letter released Friday night, Tedesco said he is stepping down as the organization's chief development officer so he can spend more time on school board issues."
4/2/10 Wake releases school assignment proposal
"They were misrepresenting what we were asking and saying, 'Oh we can't fit them in Green Hope, because it's over capacity.' Yet again, we already go there," Duerr said. "We were screaming at our laptops."
4/1/10 Ticket required for seat at next Wake school board meeting
"Anyone hoping to attend the next Wake County school board meeting will have to get a ticket."
3/30/10 Debate continues over Wake's diversity
"In attendance was the group Wake Education Partnership. It has been a group of business and educators who have championed Wake's diversity policy."
3/25/10 Fight for Wake schools not over
RADIO BROADCAST
3/2/10 School economic diversity program may end
"Many in Raleigh credit the diversity policy with balanced growth throughout the county, which is home to the state capital, and some, like Matthew Brown, have cautioned the school board that it might all go away."
3/23/10 Wake school board approves community-based schools
"The talk was angry, as terms like "segregation" peppered many arguments."
3/23/10 Wake school board approves measure to end busing
"The Wake County Board of Education approved a historic measure Tuesday to end the school system's socioeconomic diversity policy."
3/23/10 School board expected to push forward on new policy
"The Wake County school board's new majority is expected to take a final vote Tuesday that would move toward establishing community schools. Tickets will be issued to anyone interested in attending the board's meeting Tuesday that guarantee a seat in the board room."
3/22/10 Candlelight Prayer Vigil Held For Wake County Board Of Education
"More than 30 priests, ministers and rabbis gathered in Southeast Raleigh along with hundreds of Wake County residents and their children to participate in a prayer and candlelight vigil for the Wake County Board of Education."
3/22/10 Groups prepare for meeting on Wake co. school diversity
"The Coalition of Concerned Citizens for African American Children has a news conference planned Monday to express why it feels diversity is so important for Wake County schools."
3/22/10 Historic Wake school vote set for Tuesday
Historic Wake school vote set for Tuesday
3/20/10 Coalition forum discuss Wake schools diversity policy
"The forum comes just a few days before the Wake County school board is scheduled to vote on the school system's assignment resolution, which would overturn the system's current policy of busing for diversity."
3/20/10 Diversity policy supporters urge parents to get involved
"We need to get involved and engaged right away or our schools will start to fail," Parent Brenda Berg said."
3/18/10 Wake School Board Takes First Steps Towards Changing Student Assignments
"In its first steps Thursday, the committee acted on a very limited, narrow set of requests, leaving a lot of the big changes still to come."
3/15/10 Magnet parents concerned
3/12/2010: Margiotta suggests dividing school district
3/12/10 Margiotta suggests dividing school district
"Wake County school board Chairman Ron Margiotta said within two-years students will be assigned to schools closer to their homes."
3/11/10 Diane Ravitch: "The Death and Life of the Great American School System"
"The former assistant secretary of education explains her radical change of heart about how to renew public education and why our current approach is not working."
3/3/2010: Wake Board Majority Ends Diversisty Policy: Listen Here
3/10/2010 Wake Board Majority Ends Diversisty Policy: Listen Here
View Press Release 3/10/2010 click here
3/10/2010 Blog and video segment on closed door session where the Board decided to put Supt. Del Burns on administrative leave. In the video segment, Board member Carolyn Morrison speaks to the fact that it was not a unanimous decision, and the N&O reported that it was a 5-4 vote to place him on leave.
3/10/2010 Diane Ravitch, former U.S. Department of Education official and author of The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice are Undermining Education, talked about her disillusionment with Bush era policies of No Child Left Behind and charter schools, on the Diane Rehm Show. You can listen to the full show through the buttons on the right. Ms. Ravitch worked with conservative DoE Secretary Chester Finn when he headed up the DoE under President George H.W. Bush, and she worked to expand charter schools and increase the spread of standardized testing. Once a supporter, she is now a vocal opponent of charter schools and the expansions of standardized performance measures in education. In the Wall Street Journal, she writes that, "On our present course, we are disrupting communities, dumbing down our schools, giving students false reports of their progress, and creating a private sector that will undermine public education without improving it."
3/6/10 Some parents call for civility in diversity debate
"This is an issue that is very emotional to a lot of people," she said. "A lot of parents, a lot of citizens, a lot of businessmen and women are really upset about this change."
AMERICAN RADIOWORKS DOCUMENTARY: 2010 An imperfect revolution
"Once, Charlotte had a reputation as the city that made busing work. Now, Charlotte offers a picture of what may be coming in other American cities."
3/6/10 Tedesco details plan for Wake County schools
3/5/10 NAACP files complaint against Wake school board
"We believe their actions have created an educational, social and moral crisis for our community," Barber said."
3/4/10 Critics upset over Wake's decision to end diversity policy
"Lori Millberg calls the board's recent decisions not only damaging to diversity, but also fiscally irresponsible."
3/3/10 School board members' perspectives vary
"The decisions of the new Wake County school board appear to be contentious and frustrating -- but it depends on who you ask."
3/3/10 Wake school diversity policy sparks debate
"Wake County's student assignment policy may go from the board room potentially to the court room."
3/3/10 Wake county school votes to end diversity policy
"The new board members say they want children to be assigned to schools within their own communities."
3/3/10 Board votes to change diversity policy, year-round schools
"What you are doing reeks of the self-serving manipulation of latent racial resentments," one parent said."
3/3/10 Strong emotions, opinion surround Wake schools diversity debate
"But critics of the plan and the new school board majority - four new members campaigned last fall on the platform of ending the diversity policy - argue the plan will lead to re-segregation."
3/2/10 Wake school board passes resolution on neighborhood schools
"School board member Anne McLaurin said Tuesday before the vote that the resolution called for additional research, public feedback and financial cost analysis."
2/27/2010 Last week Wake County Schools Superintendent Del Burns announced his surprise resignation...
...adding new fuel to the already incendiary debate over the future of school assignments for the system's 140,000 students. Burns said his conscience prevents him from carrying out the agenda of the new school board majority. That agenda includes eliminating the socioeconomic diversity policy that currently governs school assignments in Wake County. Dave DeWitt, WUNC's Raleigh Bureau Chief, explains the players, the issues and the politicking taking place behind the scenes of this communitywide debate.
2/18/10-Burns talks about resignation from Wake County Schools
2/18/10-Superintendent Del Burns: 'I was not forced out'
"I hold certain values and convictions very, very highly," he said. "The proposed policies of the board are not in alignment with my goals and my vision."
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=7284486
2/17/10- Parents React To School Changes
"Yevonne Brannon, with the newly-formed Great Schools in Wake Coalition, said the board should slow down because these changes are happening too quickly."
http://Wake.mync.com/site/Wake/news/story/48297/parents-react-to-school-...
2/17/10- Wake schools chief stepping down
View reaction to the resignation of Superintendent Del Burns from Anne McLaurin, Ann Denlinger, and Beverley Clark, as well as video of the board meeting:
http://us.mg4.mail.yahoo.com/dc/launch?.gx=1&.rand=7akb5aii2shiq
2/17/10-School board votes to change location of new school
"School officials have said changing the site could delay the opening of the school by two years and cost an extra $15 million."
http://news14.com/triangle-news-30-content/top_stories/622152/school-boa...
2/17/10-Wake County superintendent to resign
"Based upon personal and obligatory considerations, it is clear to me that I cannot, in all good conscience, continue to serve as superintendent."
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=7280664
Wake County reacts to Burns resignation
"...it is tragic when a person committed to education for all students has to resign because he sees movement backwards..." http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=7280664
2/16/10-Wake County superintendent announces resignation
"Wake County Superintendent Del Burns announced his resignation to surprised Board of Education members during their meeting Tuesday."
http://news14.com/triangle-news-30-content/top_stories/622126/wake-county-superintendent-announces-resignation
1/19/10-School board members awaiting survey results
"Additional costs for bus transportation are anticipated."
"(The school board) ought to be working on math and science, high-quality teachers," said NC NAACP President Rev. Dr. William Barber. "Not on resegregation."
"Process is out the window..."
1/12/10 - Wake schools seeks feedback on year-round schedule
"The results could mean drastic calendar changes at dozens of schools."
1/11/10 - NAACP wants public meeting with Wake school board
"We want to talk. We want it on the public record. We want to hear what's being said: not a 10 second sound bite, not something that's being twisted and turned," Barber said."
1/7/10 - Year Round Change CostsIf there is an increase in the need for seats, then we already have a problem
"We don't have enough money, and we have this tremendous overcrowding, what should we do? And the school board will say, ‘Well we need more trailers...'"
1/6/10 - Wake School Board Ends Mandatory Year-Round
The move to end mandatory year-round schools has renewed concerns that Wake County's new school board majority will dramatically change the district's diversity policy.
1/6/10 - What's next for Wake schools?
The school board's decision to end mandatory year-round schools could mean drastic calendar changes at dozens of schools or hundreds, if not thousands, of students being reassigned by next year.
