Wake Education Partnership Welcomes New President

Wake Education Partnership has named former Durham Public Schools Superintendent Ann Denlinger as the organization’s new president. A former classroom teacher, principal and superintendent who has worked in Wake, Wilson and Durham counties, Denlinger began her leadership role at Wake Ed on May 1.

Denlinger most recently worked as a senior associate at the Schlechty Center for Leadership and School Reform helping teachers, administrators, superintendents, school board members and community leaders improve public schools throughout the United States. Previously, she served as superintendent of Durham Public Schools from 1997 to 2006, making her one of the longest-serving superintendents in North Carolina. During her tenure, student achievement increased substantially on measures including end-of-grade tests, SAT scores and dropout rates.

“Throughout my 40-year career, my only purpose, whether as a teacher or a superintendent, was to provide all students with a top-quality education. I believe the experience and insights I bring from my 15 years as a superintendent will be a great benefit to Wake Ed and to the community,” said Dr. Denlinger. “This organization is more important now than ever, as the Wake County Public School System is at critical junction in its history. I am excited about the opportunity to lead Wake Education Partnership as we work with business, school and community leaders to make world-class public schools a reality in Wake County.”

Denlinger was the first woman to be named the N.C. Superintendent of the Year in 2000 and was the first superintendent to receive the prestigious Durham Chamber of Commerce Civic Honor Award in 2003. She became the sixth recipient of the Jay Robinson Leadership Award in 2006, given by the Public School Forum of North Carolina in recognition of her deep commitment to helping all children achieve higher levels of performance.

Before coming to Durham, Denlinger served as superintendent of Wilson County Schools. She previously served as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in the Wake County Public School System, after working as a principal and teacher in the former Raleigh City Schools for more than 20 years. She is a graduate of Fuquay High School, earned an associate of arts degree from Peace College, and holds both a doctorate and a master’s degree in education administration from Campbell University.

Education Exchange Meeting to Compare Construction Costs

Wake Ed Partnership invites you to join us for the second meeting in our Education Exchange series on May 9 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Holly Springs Cultural Center (300 W. Ballentine Street). This meeting, which is free and open to the public, will provide Wake County citizens an opportunity to learn more about school construction and how costs in Wake County compare to districts around the country. No registration is required.

The meeting will discuss data from the Wake County Citizens’ Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC) consultants on cost of school facilities and construction in Wake County compared to its peer districts around the state and the country. Jeff Merritt, a member of the Wake Ed Board of Directors, will facilitate the meeting. Presenters will be Rob Weaver, a member of the CFAC, and Mike Burriss, WCPSS assistant superintendent for facilities. Presentations will be followed by time for Q&A and discussion with participants. Read the updated construction cost analysis from the CFAC online.

Board of Education Approves 2007-08 Plan for Student Success

The Wake County Board of Education last week approved the Superintendent’s budget proposal, including a request for an increase in the county appropriation of $29.9 million for a total of $305.7 million. The Board of Education’s Plan for Student Success will go to the Wake County Commissioners on May 15.

The largest increase in funding is in response to growth. The plan includes $16.5 million to open seven new schools and meet the needs of an additional 8,000 students. Legislative changes for salary increases and employer's matching benefit changes require the school district to spend an additional $9.6 million. The plan includes $4.6 million in savings, removing one-time costs from the previous year and budget reductions. The school system receives 61 percent of its funding from the state, 33 percent from local government and six percent from the federal government. Approximately 82 percent of the school system’s total funding pays for employee salaries and benefits, and approximately 95 percent of the school system’s positions are school based. To learn more about school budgeting and financial accountability, mark your calendar for the Education Exchange meeting on June 11 at the Brier Creek Community Center.

Lawsuit Mirrors Wake County’s Past

Last month’s lawsuit by parents trying to block the reassignment plan that converts 22 schools to a year-round schedule has reminded many of another case 30 years ago. In 1977, parents opposed to reassignment changes created by the merger of the Raleigh City and Wake County school systems filed a lawsuit to block moving some white, suburban students to downtown Raleigh schools and some black, Southeast Raleigh students to North Raleigh schools.

Like in today’s case, the school system argued in 1977 that parents failed to go through the proper channels and appeal their assignments before suing. Wake is citing the 30-year-old case in hopes of getting the same result -- a dismissal. The school system's plan won approval from federal civil rights officials who were monitoring the integration efforts. For more about the history of the merger of the two school districts and the courageous leadership at that time, read Wake Ed’s summary published for our 2006 Annual Meeting. For more information, visit The N&O online.

Meetings to Discuss Growth, Funding, Curriculum

• WakeUP Wake County will hold a meeting at the Cameron Village Regional Library on Tuesday, May 8, from 6:30-8 p.m. to discuss “Growth Issues & Fair Growth Funding Solutions for Wake County." A panel of special guests will present their views on Wake's growth challenges and potential legislative solutions for our county and others: Janet Cowell, NC State Senator; Jennifer Weiss, NC State Representative; John Hodges-Copple, Triangle J Council of Governments; and Russ Stephenson, Raleigh City Council member. For more information, please contact Karen Rindge, 828-3833, or Porter Bell, 605-6260.
  
  
• As part of its comprehensive curriculum management audit, the Wake County Public School System invites parents and community members to participate in 15 minute interviews with the auditors discussing the school system's curriculum. All interviews will be scheduled on a first come, first serve basis from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9, and will be held at two locations: Carroll Middle School (4520 Six Forks Road, Raleigh) or at the Crossroads facility (110 Corning Drive, Cary). Interested parents may sign up online or by calling 919.850.1600.
  

Charlotte Parents Fight Neighborhood Flight

Last fall, EduBrief highlighted a two-day series from The Charlotte Observer about how Pamela Grundy, a Plaza-Midwood historian and activist parent, spent months trying to convince neighbors to join her in sending their kids to their assigned school, the high-poverty Shamrock Gardens Elementary. Although Plaza-Midwood's situation is unusual -- a relatively affluent neighborhood assigned to a school with 80 percent of students on free-and-reduced lunch -- it highlights a larger issue of “bright flight” threatening the whole metro region's economic health.

In a recent follow-up story, Grundy and her husband, Peter Wong, explain why they chose Shamrock Elementary for their son, Parker. To hear about their decision and how Parker likes his school, listen to their interview on The State of Things on WUNC.

Teens and Parents Talk about Sex, Drugs and Rock N’ Roll

Action for Children's latest report, “Sex, Drugs and Rock N’ Roll: What Teens Do, What Parents Assume and What Parents Can Do,” shows the startling disconnect between what parents assume their teens are doing, and what their teens report they are doing when it comes to substance abuse and sexual behavior. For instance, data show that only 12 percent of parents think their high school teen is sexually active, while 51 percent of students report having had sex. The publication also provides concrete, research-based steps that parents can take to positively influence teen decision making. To read the report, visit Action for Children online and look under “Recent Publications.”

Ohio Measures Cost of World-Class Public Education

For years, Ohio officials have been talking about the need to give each child in Ohio a world-class education, and finally a price tag has been attached to the idea: $2.4 billion to $4.8 billion in new money. The group that developed the plan is a team of researchers at the University of Washington, funded in part by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has been sponsoring education research around the country. The study suggests that Ohio should spend as much as 31 percent more on public education for such changes as longer school years, lower pupil-teacher ratios and significant improvements in early education.

Researchers generated recommendations for a variety of school settings by talking to education officials who were part of state- and school district-level teams. Poor urban districts preferred policies to lengthen the school year and meet the needs of the poor; rural districts preferred increasing teacher pay, reducing class size and extending the school year. Wealthy suburban districts were mostly satisfied with funding. Total spending would increase 16 percent to 31 percent, depending on the policy chosen, and the average spending for each Ohio child would increase from the current $9,300 to a range of $10,722 to $12,128 per pupil. In addition to longer school years, the study addresses early learning, more money and training for teachers, especially math and science instructors, and an effort to drive more dollars toward reducing teacher-student ratios in poor and rural districts. Although the price tag is high, the report notes “the state team moderated the investments to bring the costs toward a more feasible range.'' For more information, visit the Beacon Journal online.

Annual Teacher Survey Examines Expectations and Experience

The MetLife Survey of the American Teacher, conducted by Harris Interactive each year since 1984, explores teachers' opinions and brings them to the attention of the American public and policymakers. The 2006 survey examines what teachers, principals and deans of schools of education each consider most critical to prepare teachers to meet classroom demands, as well as the expectations and experiences of prospective and former teachers.

Major findings include: (1) Teacher career satisfaction is at a 20-year high; (2) Principals and education leaders disagree on what new teachers should expect on-the-job; (3) Teachers are driven to leave by unmet expectations, lack of preparation and lack of support by colleagues and principal; (4) Many teachers say they lack the basics to get the job done; (5) Many teachers feel shut out of decision-making at school, but having a say in school policies is a key determinant of teacher satisfaction; (6) Professional prestige is on the rise, but teachers still lack parental support; (7) Teacher shortages are expected to be greatest in secondary schools and in schools with predominantly low-income and minority students; (8) Veteran teachers are more likely than newcomers to opt out, and teachers who plan to leave are twice as likely to be African American as are those who intend to stay in the profession; and (9) Teachers and principals share common views on recruitment and retention strategies. Three of the four top strategies for teacher recruitment and retention recommended by teachers are similar to those of principals, including providing a decent salary, providing increased financial support for the school system, and providing more respect for teachers in today’s society.

MAKE AN INVESTMENT

Your donations make the Partnership's work possible. Please help us continue to make world-class public education a reality in Wake County by making an investment in the Wake Ed '07 campaign today. When we invest in our schools, we build a better, stronger, more prosperous community for us all.

UPCOMING WAKE ED PARTNERSHIP EVENTS

May 9: Education Exchange meeting from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Holly Springs Cultural Center. Topic: Comparing school construction in Wake County to districts across the country. No registration required.

June 6: Campaign celebration reception hosted by Ann & Jim Goodnight to support the Wake Ed ’07 campaign from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Prestonwood Country Club. Online registration available soon.

June 11: Education Exchange meeting from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Brier Creek Community Center. Topic: School budgeting and financial accountability. No registration required.