News Alerts

As gas prices rise, many in the triangle turn to mass transit for an alternative transportation source.  In response to recent increases in ridership CAT is reconfiguring routes.  Some of these updates are possible now, but many need a new source of funding.  There needs to be a half cent sales tax referendum on the November ballot, and it needs to pass if CAT is really going to be able to offer the level of service necessary for the levels of ridership seen when gas prices rise.

Read the News & Observer Articles on ridership climbing with gas prices and CAT's plans to revamp bus routes .  Then take action to support the referendum being on the ballot this November. 

On April 24th Morrisville Town Council unanimously approved a resolution to send a letter to the Wake County Commissioners encouraging them to include a half cent sales tax referendum on the ballot in November to fund the proposed Wake County Transit Plan.  Morrisville Town Council called on the County Commissioners to place the referendum on the ballot swiftly to allow for adequate time for a public education campaign.  Morrisville noted that they look to transit as an investment in the quality of life and economic success of the town.  Morrisville Town Council took a major step in sending this note, and we look forward to other towns sending similar notes to the Wake County Commissioners.  It is believed that Cary and Raleigh Councils may follow suit. 

 Read the Morrisville Letter to the County Commissioners

4/29/12 Crowded schools
"We are not making optimal use of the facilities we have. We are making costly mistakes not only in terms of wise use of available resources but also with regard to our children's quality of education."

4/28/12 Still waiting
"Imagine my joy when I read in the N&O April 27 that "all 221 students who weren't assigned a school during round one were given an assignment on Thursday." And then the shock after checking the WCPSS website and finding that my children had, in fact, not been given an assignment; we are, as we have been, on the wait list."

4/15/12 Taste test
"The proof is in the pudding. So how's that great big Wake County schools pudding - the one into which tens of thousands of families are dipping their spoons as they try to determine which specific schools kids will attend - coming together?"

4/14/12 Charter schools enrollment surges
"Charter schools are expected to account for one-third of all public school enrollment growth in Mecklenburg County next year, and the charter boom could surge in 2013."

3/31/12 CMS breaks with no word on bells
"Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools families are going into spring break without an answer on whether school hours will change next year."

3/31/12 Deceptive data
"They concealed these true numbers from us, but they insist on calling it "balanced transparency." Many of us would call it deception. They gave reasons to justify what they did, but it does not change the fact that they intentionally withheld information parents needed in order to make the best decisions for our children."

Vote to approve: 6 to 3. YEA: Hill, Sutton, Goldman, Malone, Prickett, Tedesco. NAY: Evans, Kushner, Martin.

On February 7, 2012, a five month, $110,000 contract with assignment plan consultant Michael Alves was approved. The contract lacks any detail; essentially, it's a blank check for proprietary software, owned by Alves Consulting. There is no way to measure that WCPSS is getting what it contracted for. There are no hourly costs, no specifics as to who is doing the work, no restrictions on travel. And the Contract does not end in June: "The agreement shall be automatically renewed from year to year for a period of not less than 3 years."

Questions we would have asked:

3/17/12 Wake County parents react to school choice results
"The winners of Wake County's new student assignment plan were cheering Friday about getting into the schools they wanted for this fall, while some other parents spoke bitterly about not getting even one of their choices."

3/17/12 Wake County still waiting to place 225 students at schools
"There are some 200+ applicants who are in limbo right now in Wake County's new student assignment plan."

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR/ARTICLES
1/29/12 Well-rounded students
"Engagement with that silly stuff that involves diversity of background and opinion is hard work."

1/29/12 In some schools, parents and PTAs to buy technology
"But Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools say that's the best hope for embracing the digital age, which moves faster than government budgets and bureaucratic decisions."