In addition to regular newsletters, the Partnership releases occasional white papers or topic reviews about issues of general interest to the community. These reviews are longer than the newsletter summaries, allowing readers to understand a subject in more detail.
You are encouraged to follow the links found within the topic reviews as they typically contain all of the data used in any analysis or the source documents when appropriate or available.
Please contact Tim Simmons, vice president of communications, or Julie Crain, vice president of programs, if you have any questions about the white papers presented here.
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June 8, 2010
The inescapable costs of running a school system
Purpose
The purpose of this review is to help readers better understand the basic issues that frame all budget discussions about Wake County’s public schools and outline some of the financial challenges the system will face in the near future.
Wake is currently in the second year of what many policy makers believe will be a three- to four-year decline in per pupil spending. While enrollment growth has slowed considerably, at least 3,000 to 4,000 additional students per year are expected to move into Wake County’s schools in the coming years.
At the same time, a majority of the school board would like to significantly increase school choices available to parents. About 22 percent of Wake’s students currently choose the school they attend. In general, offering more choices tends to increase transportation costs. In some cases it can also increase program expenses.
This summary provides a broad overview of school finances from the basic budget process used by the county to issues the system is likely to face during a time of declining revenues. It is not a comprehensive review of the system’s $1.2 billion operating budget. Click here to read the full report.
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April 23, 2010
Creating stability and balance in Wake County’s schools
Purpose
For almost three decades, Wake County used a student assignment model driven by efficient use of buildings and the desire to create socioeconomic balance in every school. A new school board majority voted March 23 to replace that model with one that emphasizes community-based assignments.
The debates leading to that vote attracted national attention, divided many in the community and triggered the departure of school Superintendent Del Burns.
It has also left many people confused about what the school system might look like in the future, particularly following a decision this month by the board majority committing the district to a voluntary desegregation plan using magnet school programs.
“Stability and balance” is a phrase that is sometimes used in these debates without much discussion about how the goal would be achieved. The purpose of this topic review is to address some of the approaches that could be used. The review also offers a summary of the key points any plan will need to consider. To continue reading this report, click here.
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March 9, 2010
The role of magnet schools in Wake County
Purpose
One of the most discussed issues in the current debate about future student assignment plans is the role of magnet schools in Wake County. From redistributing magnet school programs throughout the county to leaving the current system largely untouched, school board members have floated a number of ideas since a new majority took office Dec. 1.
The purpose of this review is to help parents and others understand the advantages and challenges of different approaches. It also addresses possible changes that can be made to better address the original goals of the program – to fill schools that would otherwise be under-enrolled and avoid high concentrations of poverty. Click here to read the full report.
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Feb. 8, 2010
Assigning students to their closest school
Purpose
Following the election of four new board members this fall, a majority of the Wake County school board is interested in a student assignment plan that allows families to attend schools as close to home as possible.
The purpose of this review is to help parents and others better understand what effect that approach might have on individual schools. Charts containing information for every school as well as interactive maps can be found here. Distances between homes and schools are measured in miles driven. To continue reading this report, click here.
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Jan. 15, 2010
Year-round and traditional calendar choices for all families
Purpose
The Wake County school board approved a resolution Jan. 5 ending mandatory year-round calendar assignments beginning in 2010-2011. The purpose of this review is to help parents and others interested in the school system better understand the possible effects of that decision at individual schools and the district level. Wake Education Partnership is not endorsing or opposing the resolution. Its purpose in releasing this review is to help people better understand the topic so they can better follow or participate in the conversation.
This is the first in what the Partnership expects will be a series of topic reviews, prompted primarily by expected changes in the school system. To continue reading this report, click here.
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Wake Education Partnership is a 501(c)(3) non-profit created in 1983 to support public schools, in part by educating the community on current school issues. Most of its financial support comes from local business. For questions about this report, contact Tim Simmons, VP of Communication (tsimmons@wakeedpartnership.org) or Julie Crain, VP of Programs. (jcrain@wakeedpartnership.org ). This topic review can also be found at our website, www.wakeedpartnership.org, under the tab titled News Center.