Welcome to the first edition of Wake FYI, a new electronic publication of Wake Education Partnership. We've created this newsletter to provide the data, research and resources you need to better understand public education issues and other topics that have an impact on education in our community.

Each issue of Wake FYI, published monthly, will focus on a specific topic and work toward a deeper level of knowledge and understanding through the most up-to-date information.

You have received Wake FYI today as a subscriber to EduBrief, the Partnership’s biweekly update on public education issues and activities. We believe that, together, Wake FYI and EduBrief will fill the full range of the community’s needs for current facts and figures, access to resources, and details about upcoming events in our community and with the Partnership. If you prefer not to receive Wake FYI, please unsubscribe at the "manage preferences" link below. Your regular subscription to EduBrief will return next week.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION: Growth in Wake County

It is nearly impossible to discuss any education issue in Wake County without discussing the tremendous growth in student population the school system has experienced in recent years.

Because growth is inextricably linked to other important issues, the first edition of Wake FYI will address the growth in our community.

Future editions will focus on topics such as teaching quality, student achievement, the November bond referendum and the operating budget. While we will provide a broader lens through which to view these topics than just growth, for the foreseeable future it is impossible to appropriately frame these other issues without considering the impact growth has on all aspects of education. From the demographic makeup of our student population, to the efforts to recruit and retain quality administrators and teachers, the challenges posed by the growth in our community must be dealt with throughout all levels and departments of the school system.

Wake County’s Population Increase

• Wake County is the fastest growing county in North Carolina and the eleventh fastest growing in the United States. In the past decade the population has grown from just over 550,000 to nearly 750,000.

• Wake County’s total population is second only to Mecklenburg County, and it is estimated we will surpass Mecklenburg in population by 2015.
• From 1990-2000, Wake County’s population increased 47.3%, more than double the state increase of 21.4%.

• From April 2000 to July 2004 Wake County gained 95,842 residents: 32,033 from natural increase (births – deaths) and 63,809 from net migration (the difference in people moving into and out of the county).
• According to the U.S. Census Bureau:
  o The top three counties from which new Wake County residents move are Durham, Johnston and Mecklenburg;
  o The top three states from which new Wake County residents come are New York, Virginia and Florida; and,
  o The top three countries from which new residents migrate are Mexico, China and India.
• Wake County is expected to top one million residents in 2016.

• In 2005, Wake County and its 12 municipalities issued 18,404 building permits:
  nearly 12,000 were for new residences and almost 400 for new commercial or industrial properties.

• In December 2005, Wake County Government, the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, and the Wake County Mayors Association formed the Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC). The purpose of the BRC is to examine the county’s long-term infrastructure needs, plans and funding solutions, including those for schools. The BRC is scheduled to release its report at the end of May 2006. To view the presentations and discussion from the February 24 BRC meeting which focused on education, visit http://www.wakegov.com/blueribbon/summaries/02242006.htm.

Growth in the Schools

• Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) is the second largest school system in North Carolina (just behind Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools), and the 23rd largest in the United States.
• WCPSS has more than doubled its student population in the past 20 years, going from 57,268 in 1985-86 to 120,504 in 2005-06. It is estimated that by 2025-26 the population will more than double again, growing to 249,672.

• There were nearly 6,500 new students in 2005-06, and it is estimated that 7,000 more students will enroll in 2006-07. In 2004-05 the average size of a school district in our state was 11,700 students. Every two years WCPSS grows by more students than are in the average school district in North Carolina.

• Because population changes are not uniform across the county, where our new students live is often as important a factor as how many of them there are. See the changes in student population density.
  (This link will take you to a PowerPoint presentation -- may be slow to download on some computers.)

• Of the new students (grades 1-12) in WCPSS in 2005-06:

  o 44.5% were from public schools in other states o 24.1% were from public schools in other NC counties o 14.1% were from private or religious schools o 7% were from public schools outside of the U.S. o 5.8% were from charter schools o 3.5% were from home schools

  o 47.9% were White o 30.1% were Black o 11.2% were Hispanic o 5.4% were Asian o 4.8% were Multi-racial o 0.5% were American Indian

  
  Of the new students to WCPSS in 2005-06, the percentage from low socio-economic status families is higher; the percentage identified for special education services (including academically gifted students) is lower; and the percentage from homes where English is not the primary language remains constant.

• In the 2005-06 school year WCPSS had 139 schools; 59 of those schools have opened since 1990. Twenty-six of those schools -- nearly 20% -- have opened in the past five years. The school system will open twelve new schools during the next two school years.
• In 2005-06 there were approximately 1,000 temporary classrooms, including three modular schools, in use. Nearly one out of every four elementary students is in temporary classrooms.
• Of the more than 9,000 students who are part of the reassignment plan for the 2006-07 school year, approximately 94% are being reassigned to deal with the student population growth (including filling the eight schools being opened this fall), and an estimated 6% are being reassigned as part of the board of education's goal to maintain the health of all schools.
• Wake County hires approximately 300 teachers each year solely due to the growth in the student population.

For More Information on Growth

• Learn about Wake County’s Blue Ribbon Committee: http://www.wakegov.com/blueribbon/.
• Find out more from Wake County Government: Details on building permits issued: http://www.wakegov.com/tax/statistics/buildingpermit/default.htm; sales of residential properties by year and zip code: http://www.wakegov.com/tax/statistics/residentialsold/default.htm; planning maps: http://imaps.co.wake.nc.us/PGMaps/default.htm.
• See WCPSS’ Growth Resource Center: http://www.wcpss.net/growth/.
• Compare school systems around the state using data from the Department of Public Instruction’s 2005 Statistical Profile: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/fbs/stats/statprofile05.pdf.
• Get more details on Wake County and North Carolina population estimates at the North Carolina State Demographics office: http://demog.state.nc.us/.
• Examine current and historical data on Wake County, North Carolina, and the United States through the US Census Bureau: http://www.census.gov/.

Calendar 411

• Tuesday, April 25: Blue Ribbon Committee Meeting
View the Blue Ribbon Committee’s upcoming meeting dates and topics: http://www.wakegov.com/blueribbon/schedule.htm

• Monday, May 1: Wake County Board of Commissioners Meeting
View the Wake County Board of Commissioners upcoming meeting calendar: http://www.wakegov.com/commissioners/schedule.htm or follow the link to meeting agendas or past meeting minutes.

• Tuesday, May 2: Wake County Board of Education Meeting
View upcoming events on the Wake County Board of Education calendar: http://www.wcpss.net/perl/publish/webevent.cgi?cmd=opencal&cal=cal2
View dates and agendas for upcoming Board of Education committee meetings: http://www.wcpss.net/Board/agendas/committee/

Sources:
- Joe Durham, Wake County Government, September 14, 2005 presentation to the Institute for Wake County School Leaders.
- Ramey Beavers, WCPSS, September 14, 2005 presentation to the Institute for Wake County School Leaders.
- “Students Leaving and Entering WCPSS in 2005-06.” Prepared by the Growth and Planning Department, Wake County Public School System, March 15, 2006.
- “Panel Studies Growth.” The News and Observer, April 13, 2006. http://www.newsobserver.com/167/story/428141.html
- County Profiles, 4th Quarter of 2005, North Carolina Department of Commerce - http://cmedis.commerce.state.nc.us/countyprofiles/files/pdf/Wake_2005Q4.pdf
- Building Permits Issued by Jurisdiction, Year, and Type, Wake County Government - http://www.wakegov.com/NR/rdonlyres/D7F30FD6-1C83-4F0E-91DA-28BFB21DF005/0/Prmtval0106.xls
- Growth Matters, WCPSS, http://www.wcpss.net/growth/downloads/growth-matters-spring-2006.pdf
- WCPSS Growth and Demographics, http://www.wcpss.net/demographics/reports/Growth2005.pdf
- NC DPI 2005 Statistical Profile http://www.ncpublicschools.org/fbs/stats/statprofile05.pdf
- US Census Bureau Quick Facts: Wake County and North Carolina http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37183.html