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Raleigh reassignment plan

The New York Times came to Raleigh recently to do a story on their student reassignment plan. The High Point reassignment plan was based in part on the Raleigh plan, which buses students in order to create socio-economically diverse schools.

Many of the debates taking place there are similar to the ones going on here.

Comments (48)

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debora said:

Interesting, but we are so different that Wake, we have half the students with twice the percentage of FRL-- our economy is not robust-only 3000 (mostly poor) are bussed-- and they changed to this because they thought what they were doing was unconstitutional. I don't think there would be such an uproar if our students were doing as well(91%) passing-- so far the IT plan hasn't helped at all! Wake Co., spends much more on new buildings/schools! We can't keep up. We could build new schools instead of bussing and then the kids would have smaller class rooms, closer schools, more volunteering due to convienence etc.

Joe Stafford said:

I can remember when Guilford County scored higher than Wake County. When a white or black baby is born in Wake County, he is no smarter and has the same potential as those borned in Guilford County. Wake County for many years has been on message. Guilford County has not been on message for many years. The reason for this is that the Leadership in Guilford County finds it difficult to make any decision without political factors entering into the equation. We have in North Carolina 47 systems that are performing better than Guilford County.

tim mann said:

What a bunch of self serving dribble! I'm sure our $122,000 statistician will show how our demographic make-up is SUBSTANTIALLY different from that of Wake County. (Higher # of FRL, worse economic conditions, COUNTY WIDE programming in Wake vs. "selective" lottery, better educated population in Wake, more parental involvement in Wake, etc.).

Also, I'm sure that he will quickly point out that Meck. County is in the middle of a lawsuit because they haven't provided a sound BASIC education for their students.

The parent from Wake County, Cynthia Matson, who was quoted, helped direct the initial efforts of our ABC group last year. I thought it was interesting that 85% of the kids attend school within 5 miles of their home and 12% VOLUNTARILY choose a magnet school. If Grier wants to promote the benefits of this plan in Guilford County, then it needs to be implemented county-wide. Let all of the county attend school within 5 miles of their home and let the entire county voluntarily choose magnet schools. Don't mandate that HP attend school 10 miles away from home and be forced to attend magnets that the family has no interest in attending.

I can see where this is going, but it can't be forced upon one segment of the population and not COUNTY WIDE.

If any board member supports this effort, it MUST be done COUNTY WIDE. The county includes such safe havens as Grimsley, Page, Dudley, Northeast, Ragsdale and Northwest.

Support that's NIMBY (Not in My Back Yard) is HYPOCRITICAL, at best.

Reassigned said:

Jennifer,
where is your report on the retreat meeting yesterday?

debora said:

Tim,
Excellent points-of course many people in our school district drive 14 miles just to get to their closest school-- even with the new Northern we(outer points) will travel about 10 miles-- our county is not nearly as urban as Raleigh. Wouldn't it be great if we had enought schools and money for true choice! If the choice was only about the school and not about FRL/minority then it would be availble in a wider area! Also if you 'choose' to go to a school, then the county shouldn't have to spend the money to get you there!!! We are not keeping up with BASIC education needs, not when half of the tested kids can't pass the minimum requirements! We spend money on new experimental programs, buses, gas, busing supervisors, more trailers etc! Of yea, also diversity training, star training, litercy first, writers workshop, etc... which of these programs are working, if any! Find the ones that work, stick with them and stop following every trend in the nation!

tim mann said:

As I re-read the article, I find it interesting how the author begins the article talking about black and hispanic students to support his hypothesis and then changes to socio-economic status in the middle of the story.

Why does the author assume the hispanic and black students make up the FRL group?

Many of my neighbors, who happen to be people of color, would be considered "middle class".

Such a jump of using socio-economic status as a proxy for race, is exactly the prejudicial mistake many of the school board members and Dr Grier are guilty of. Any question, just review a couple of the 2003-2004 (recorded) school board meetings. NUMEROUS times the board members and Grier correct themselves when they realize they have used the two terms within the same statement!

Mikeg said:

anyone want to borrow my copy of "All Together Now" again? GCS thinks they can pick and choose paieces and parts of a program and make it work. It's either all or nothing. Kahlenberg makes that very clear!!! He made it clear when he came here to speak two years ago, and the board didn't pay attention.

No Swapping Allowed said:

Mike, the BOE did NOT make "IT" clear to Kahlenburg when he was exhibitioned at the school board meeting last year.

The BOE was quite decietful in presentig "IT" to this author. He was NOT aware that "IT" would only be offered to a small sector of our school district. This was a carefully crafted desire of the BOE.

I had the pleasure of enlightening Mr. Kahlenburg at this meeting that "IT" is a plan, perfectly wrapped, decorated and disguised to LOOK like the plan that he promotes--the only diffence is "IT" has Grier's fingerprints all over it along with several board members.

Mr. Kahlenburg admitted that he didn't realize that "IT" was only being forced on a select few. He told me then, over a year ago, that "IT" would most likely fail if not offered to the entire school district.

Why did our BOE pay to bring this educator/author to town, yet NOT read his book NOR listen to his opinions?

Once again, our kids have been "Grier-ended".

I demand that "IT" be dissolved immediately OR offered immediately to the entire Guilford County School system.

...but then again, why should the board listen to me?...they just want my high-scoring, white children to solve their problems.....not my facts or opinions .

jennifer fernandez said:

Reassigned,

Here's a link to the story.

There was a lot of talk, but really not much action. That's typically how board retreats go.

NSA said:

Please excuse the spelling error(s), I can spell "deceit"--I swear, but when one has been Grierended, spelling becomes a low priority. In fact, it's amazing how one's priorities change when their children are waylaid and used against their will in an experiment performed by political puppets.

Living in Anchorage said:

Please note that only 2.5% of Wake co. children got sent to a school against their will. Here 150 kids or almost 40% of what would have been the entering freshman class at SW High got moved against their will(although this was reduced considerably by appeals as reported last week)In Wake, almost all kids bused were low income who thought it would be worth the trade-off to travel long distances to the 'burbs for better quality, not the reverse-which was selectivley forced on SW kids. Kids that wanted to attend "magnets" did so voluntarily. The Guilford plan is blatantly discriminatory and is not county wide but a local scam to bolster Dot and susan's alma mater. The only thing in common with the Wake plan is the shuffling of kids against their will. The choice plan simply doesn't hold up to scrutiny by any fair-minded sane individuals, which is why it's a perfect fit for Guilford Co.

gcsmom said:

Jennifer,

I heard that board members again brought up the idea of eliminating SRO's in middle schools?

jennifer fernandez said:

GCS Mom,

Do you mean at the retreat Sunday? I don't remember hearing that come up. I stepped out once or twice for quick breaks. I might have missed it then, but I wasn't gone that long so it would have been a short conversation. Joe Stafford was there, too. Joe, do you remember anything about SROs at the middle school?

tim mann said:

Here's some data that the "reporter" overlooked. I bring it up because it covers some of the cities he referenced.

http://www.adversity.net/special/busing.htm

reassigned said:


Here is another local newspapers article on the retreat meeting. Its an interesting read.

@@@@@@@

At a school board retreat on Sunday, board members discussed taking a "one-county" approach when implementing specific policies and programs, rather than targeting certain geographic areas.

The "one-county" approach was one of the long-range goals that were part of a larger list of objectives discussed during the retreat held at school administrative offices in Greensboro.

Some board members were skeptical of such a goal, saying the district continues to be fragmented since the days of merger in the early 1990s.

The discussion turned to the 2004 High Point Choice Plan, which uses a lottery system to match freshmen with their school of choice. The plan is specific to High Point high schools, which has raised eyebrows among some board members who say the program singles out High Point neighborhoods. Some board members say they would like to see districtwide changes for such things like the lottery system.

"How do you justify leading a one-county movement when you differentiate on how you treat your constituents?" said board member Anita Sharpe.

She suggested omitting the goal from the board's list of objectives, but the motion failed 5-3. Board members Darlene Garrett and Marti Sykes sided with Sharpe.


Board members also discussed searching for a central office location to better serve the school system as a whole.

A majority of board members favored at least forming a committee to study ways to better unify the three former school systems that merged - High Point, Greensboro and Guilford County - and now make up the Guilford County Schools district.

Board member Deena Hayes said no true fusing has occurred within the Guilford County Schools system, but she endorsed an initiative to lead a one-county movement.

Garth said:

My partners and I researched building a 500 unit apartment complex in Traingle area. The greatest demand was for units outside of Wake county. Why? Schools - It is interesteing how they glance over that fact and make it look Rosy. We found the most demand was for units just outside Wake but near fwy for commut to Wake. This sounds a bit like Davidson County and Alamance County getting the best of Guilfords Kids as well as the Private Schools. This plan is too expensive as placed.
Garth

ScottB said:

If the board would put ALL Guilford County children into lottery zones, I'll stop complaining. All I want is the same treatment that Alan and Martis' children get.

John Edwards moved his family to Chatham County for the "quality of life and schools". Didn't he like the Wake County plan?

Our own Senator Kay Hagan spoke of her strong commitment to public education a while back in a News and Record feature article. That same article included a photo of her at her children's graduation at GREENSBORO DAY SCHOOL. As usual with the power elite, it's do as I say, not as I do.

reassigned said:

Tim,
that is an interesting link. Can someone explain why the GCSB can do the same thing if bussing for racial reasons is illegal?
In all of this I have never had an explanation of why my daughter was reassigned from SW to Central.
It cannot be as simple as "its illegal" otherwise somebody would of sued. Surely?

JMO said:

Reassigned,

Sue their ASS! Does anybody know where "reassigned" can find that attorney that attended a few ABC meetings? Maybe he just needs a plaintiff. What was his name? Doug? Anybody have any info?

ChargetoNW said:

Myself and a couple of friends are going up to NW tomorrow.
We will remind the Board that although they have done Penn it is not over..
Charrrrrrrrggggggeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Tiredofitall said:

ChargetoNW:

Are you taking your minister with you to speak for your community like all the poeple who voted for Dot?

ChargetoNW said:

We dont care what your church is. We'll take anyone willing to take on GCSB.
Dont give up. The tide is turning!

tiredofitall said:

Great to hear that, ChargetoNW. Looks like "Reassigned" may just be traveling with his lawyer soon.

Walker NO more said:

Speaking of busing...or NOT busing....

The first week of October is "National Walk to School Week". I wonder why our School District is not promoiting this idea? (Sarcasm Intended)

Whatta joke for the kids in High Point!!

Here's what I found:

"WALK TO SCHOOL!" To enhance the health of kids!
Increased physical activity can combat a host of health problems facing kids today.
Help to improve air quality and the environment!
Replacing car trips to school with walking or bicycling can help reduce air pollution.


Join others around the world in celebration of a Week to bring visibility to walking and biking conditions and inspire positive change.

Register for 2005
Register your day or week-long event, or sign up to be a resource person for your state. Special drawings: Registered schools have a chance to win pedometers and educational material sponsored by Walk 4 Life, Inc. and National Association for Sport and Physical Education.

Many communities want to take the promotion of walking and bicycling beyond International Walk to School week and there is growing support at the local, state and federal level. learn more at saferoutesinfo.org

Now support here! Hey Grier, will you be riding your bike from the Grandover next week?

tim mann said:

Antonio,

Where have you been?

The ideas presented in this article have been discussed extensively since 1998 in Guilford County!

Tons of statistical information has been presented to prove busing doesn't work and is not desired by a overwhelming majority of the taxpayers. This includes white & black, rich & poor.

The educational elitists would rather try numerous social engineering experiments instead of trying to provide a sound BASIC education for ALL students.

It's simple ..... not easy, but simple. The school board and Grier choose to take the easy way out .... try another program, bus to hide their failures!

Barbara Ann said:

You guys have sure been busy. After reading this article here are some other things to consider:

Wake County is 27% FRL; Guilford County is double that number.

The article states that Wake County "uses sophisticated data gathering to identify, and RESPOND TO students weaknesses". I believe we have had this data available in GCS all along; teachers know where the weaknesses are-all the testing show this; the answer in the end is hiring and RETAINING good teachers for all schools and meeting their needs with proper resources (not a $122K statistician to tell us "kids watch too much TV"; we "intuitively" know that but HOW do you change it? That, once again, gets down to PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT.

The article stresses "Integration by Income" and ends by saying "while the board has continued to endorse economic integration, some supporters worry that that could change one day." Sound familiar? From two board meetings ago it was brought up that the Dept of Agriculture said you could ONLY use FRL for to decide who actually gets to eat FRL; that these figures could not be used for other purposes. Now I don't recall that GCS asked for actual INCOME on the school apps. But the do know all the FRL figures; they also ask for educational level of parents.

At the very beginning when the idea of the "IT" plan was presented, they had intended to do FRL data back to KINDERGARTEN stats. I wrote the board/Grier and stressed how this is blatent "labeling". People's life situation could change by high school. That part of the UNRANDOM process changed. They included more current FRL data.

Recently Kris Cooke asked if FRL could now be used to determine data for the "IT" Plan. Jill Wilson said they could discuss that at the retreat. They did not. So we are still awaiting and answer to Kris's excellent question.

As others have pointed out, these are TRUE MAGNETS at Wake; not a forced, unrandom lottery to a magnet-like program. The children at Wake still have a home based school from which to choose; not so with the "IT" plan.

Also Wake starts this at the elementary school levels. Nancy Routh has pointed out before that we must make changes way before high school to see results; these must be made at an early age.
Given the physical make-up of this county and the distance between schools, could you imagine all the crisscross busing to young children if that happened here? (Remember the chaos of the first day of school last year and kids "lost".)

Article also states "the overwhelming majority of the 120,000 children in the district go either to a local school or a school of their "CHOICE" and "5 MILES of home".

In conclusion: Treat High Point like you do the rest of Guilford County. It is not High Point Schools but Guilford County Schools. The SB has now voted on true efforts to make all schoolS "county" at their recent retreat. If the "IT" plan is "right" for HP then it MUST be done countywide.

Living in Anchorage said:

Aside from the fact that the "choice plan" dovetails nicely with the self-perceived needs of the downtown High Point oligarchs and with that of a group of parents at Andrews who were re-districted out of SW in '99, the most appealing aspect of the "choice plan" from Grier's standpoint is; he gets to blame a group of parents and little kids in the SW district for his repeated failure to administer High Point schools. It's just part of Grier's scape-goating modus operandi ie: it's Moen's fault, it's Deering's fault, it's Ozment's fault, it's the grant writer's fault, it's the State's fault, it's the Feds fault, "it's those GD SW kids fault. If only those kids and their snobby elitist parents would let me send their kids where I need them" . It's always someone else's fault. Truman said 'the buck stops here" Grier says "the buck flies everywhere at supersonic speed". Blaming little kids for your failure is as low on the evolutionary scale as you can go. You're down to one-celled pond-scum organisms.

9-Star Gen. Slak said:

After reading the High Point Surprise this morning, I have one question for GCS.

How does an Athlete from Ledford High School transfer to High Point Central to play football???

Why was he not assigned to Andrews High???...Or Southwest?????

Was he not subjected to the Socialist Lottery Game that all other High point students must go Through????

Please, someone answer!!!!!!!

Buckmtn said:

General, haven't you seen this guy run? Listen on 3rd & goal Dot wants her school to score baby.

You may not know this, but Dot is a big fan of Pardon the Interuption on ESPN. Why do you play? To win the game.

Why if she felt she could get away with it she would have Susan block for this guy.

Grant said:

Great observation General Slak.

A 10th star for you!

nomore said:

K-12 Education,Opinion,Law & Order

Carolina Journal Online

The Busing Detour Is Closed

By John Hood
August 10, 2005

RALEIGH – Advocates of forced, race-based busing have tried to resurrect the policy through the state courts, having failed to maintain federal court supervision over where children attend school. They failed, fortunately.

The trial judge in the long-running Leandro case, Wake Superior Court Judge Howard Manning, Jr., heard the busing argument from Julius Chambers and several other attorneys representing black plaintiffs in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Chambers, one of the litigators in the original Swann case that imposed racial-balance dictates on the local school system in the early 1970s, tried to sell Manning on the idea that the Leandro interpretation of the state constitution – that it guaranteed all students the right to an opportunity for a sound, basic education – also required forced busing.

I wish I could say that Manning tossed this argument out of court with a deservedly dismissive snort, but his rejection was far more ambiguous. According to an Associated Press report, Manning told Chambers that busing was not the answer because it was impossible to “move all the children out” of poor schools. “Shuffling [students] around on a bus may not be the answer,” he concluded.

May not be the answer? I can’t conceive of a reasonable question for which it would ever be the answer.

The debate over racial balance and forced busing has a tendency to devolve into name-calling and crude stereotypes. Advocates of busing appear to believe that only shortsighted or racist people could disagree with them. Opponents of busing ascribe various, nefarious motivations to school administrators and educators. I don’t doubt that most advocates of forced busing mean well. They believe that poor, minority children will suffer unless they prevail.

But they are mistaken. And their policy is worse than mistaken – it is abominable.

The key to understanding why is to consider a fact that few would contest: it is highly unlikely that forced busing results in higher academic performance for most of the students involved. The assumption is that either because of classroom culture, teacher expectations, or a more equitable distribution of resources, the presence of a critical mass of either white or less-poor students is necessary for less-advantaged students to prosper. Some advocates argue that the better-off students might gain in other ways – a greater appreciation of diversity, and the like – but you never hear that the result of busing is to boost their reading or math scores.

I don’t buy the assumptions behind the busing policy. That is, I believe that the right set of policies and personnel can led to minority-student success regardless of whether their share of the student body is 20 percent, 50 percent, or 80 percent. But even if I did, I would be deeply troubled by the policy because it treats children – many children, most children in the community, in fact – as means to an end, rather than as ends in themselves.

My sons are not tools to be manipulated by someone else to accomplish his educational objectives, no matter how noble. They are not cogs in a machine. And no twisted interpretation of a constitution or sweeping professiorial assertion can make them into tools or cogs. To the extent that politicians and activists fail to appreciate that basic truth, they will continue to advocate policies that enrage the vast majority of their fellow citizens.

Hood is president of the John Locke Foundation.

Joe Stafford said:

I did not get to the retreat untill 1:15pm. SROs were not discussed during the time I was there.

nomore said:

Reassigned,

Wasn’t the purpose of the 1993 merger to take a one county approach?

At a school board retreat on Sunday, board members discussed taking a "one-county" approach when implementing specific policies and programs, rather than targeting certain geographic areas.

The "one-county" approach was one of the long-range goals that were part of a larger list of objectives discussed during the retreat held at school administrative offices in Greensboro.

According to what you have reported, it's now a "long-range goal" of the school board and we have been merged for over 12 years.

What in the heck have they been doing all this time and obviously, they have admitted to not treating every school/area in the county as one.

How in the world are some of these people holding office and being reelected?

Maybe Guilford County is deserving of such poor representation since they continue to repeat the same poor choices.

reassigned said:

Nomore,
it was a cut and paste of an article from the High Point Suprise. I did not report it.

There was a good turn out of anti IT protestors at NW tonight. The only thing that gives me hope is that the SB will be so sick of us all in the end that they will change things ( plus no FRL data availability and bussing illegalities of course).

Another interesting thing was that Jennifer had to leave the room (again) as she had blocked the High Point Central school bus. Their football team could not leave....Of all the buses!!!

Barbara Ann said:

I caught a clip of the NW forum on 10 p.m. news tonight. Saw my neighbor giving a speech how the 8th graders were all crying the end of this year.

They all cried on "Black Tuesday", Feb. 10th, 2004. They all cried the end of 2004; still crying the end of school year 2005. When will the crying stop for our 8th graders and common sense and equal treatment for all step in. This should be a fun part in their lives. Do you see the 8th graders in Greensboro crying; are they crying at Andrews or Central - NO - they know they received their first choice to stay in THEIR schools if they choose.

Reassigned - great points mentioned: getting sick of us; no more FRL numbers; illegal busing for race.

What is disheartening is in reading the article on Wake and busing for schools that kids actually choose, the school system there is aware of the discontent in the community. According to the article, they acknowledge this and expect it, but still do as they wish, doing what "they think" is best for other people's kids. Sound familiar?

In the end who knows what is best for children but their parents. Thus the reason why many have moved or left the system for private schools.

Barbara Ann said:

Reassigned et al who went to NW tonight:

Do you see what a parking maze and zoo it is up there as far as being crowded?

Now you know why NWH definitely deserves some long overdue relief from their overcrowded situation. Trying to get out of the parking lots for any sports activities is a nightmare.

I hope the proposals will change in their favor to bring more relief for NWH.

nomore said:

Reassigned,

thanks for the clarification was that information reported by the N&R?

I would certainly think that information is newsworthy and worth some print space!

debora said:

Hi gang,
the turn out was good last night, lots of people from SW and NW although most of my friends wouldn't talk. I have no idea if the board is listening to our cramped positions! Maybe I should say that Eric isn't listening.. he told me we just needed another bond. I don't think there is a chance for another bond at this time. Even if they pass one it will be 2012 before you would see a new school. The Northern HS will be 07 or 08 before opening and that was passed in 03! So in the mean time, we welcome the SW kids that want to move, but bring your own shoe horn, so we can squeeze you in!! HA HA

Norma Ray said:


If I were able to get out of High Point, I would move to another county where Grier and his cohorts would not have a say in my children's education!

If you move to NW, you still have to deal with this crap one way or another!!!

Joe Stafford said:

The object of parenthood is to prepare our children for the challenges they will face in adult life. Do we help our kids when we say that they cannot cope with a transfer--even if it to a brand new $40 million school? Are our kids that fragil? NW parents talk about the awful crowding but fear the alternative. It is a great adventure for a child to go to a new school. I wish parents would join with their kids to make it a positive experience.

reassigned said:

Dear Nomore, I was hoping that someone would pick-up on that. Jennifer why did you not say anything about the one county discussion in your article?
Joe, you dissappointed everyone last night with your comments.Even the not so radical NW crowd gave you a few boos.
I feel sorry for NW overcrowding and all but I would rather be in their situation than ours in SW. As I tried to point out last night this boards policies will make it only worse.

Barbara Ann said:

Joe,

I couldn't go to the meeting and don't know what you said last night. But from the NW parents that I have talked, from what has gone around the internet and from what I have read, they want MORE relief from overcrowding at NW. (Unless things changed last night? Deb?) Darlene G. has said this too; that there is not enough relief coming to NW High with the building of the new high school. I thought this was promised to NWH in the last bond referendum?

Once again, it looks to many, like busing for the right mix is more of a concern than to actually bringing relief to a very overcrowded school that has long been overcrowed and will only get worse as SW refugees seek temperary shelter in the NW part of the county. By far from looking at the proposed maps that were passed out, NWH is by far more overcrowded than the other schools who will have kids sent to Northern.

Deb, thank you for the welcome. I guess they will just have to put out a few more trailers at NW. You do have some great sports teams up there too. I would think the SW refugees will only find a temporary solution of the from the future of more things to come in Guilford Countyh. On the bright side, when parents want to sell their house in the NW district, it won't say "HP Choice Plan - Call realtor" to find out what school you will go to. At least, hopefully after some proposal is passed for NW, you all will know exactly what neighborhoods will go where and can plan accordingly and talk to your kids.

On a similar note, if some of the Title I schools continue to fail their AYP's, will the op-out space being offered at certain other schools run out at those schools? From reading the papers, all the transferring has put a strain on the op out schools with overcrowded classrooms and having to shuffle kids around. So how will the "op out" schools scores now be affected at the end of this year? Where is the space and the teachers to maintain the smaller classrooms that are supposed to help so much? Will this result in even more trailers at the op-out schools? It seems to be a vicious cycle of spending more money in all the wrong places.

debora said:

Yes we want more relief! Those children deserve it-- The current proposal takes 45% from NE, 55% from NW and 10% from Eastern. Eastern is not very overcrowded (100) although those kids have a long drive, they live 2 miles from Page, some 10 miles from Northern and the same kids live 4 miles from NE! The current lines drop 10 plus miles into the NE area but only 8.5 miles into NW and we have more overcrowding!! How is that right, fair or just! We are 700 over capacity, NE is currently 450 over capacity, but they are adding 295 seats with this bond. That will leave them 150 plus growth over capacity-- ERic has our numbers at about 250 over capacity after the move, but now that we know if you attend HS and complete 9th grade you can grandfather in (as well as your siblings) then there will be alot of people staying-- so add another 100 to 150 or so and then we are back to 2000! We grew by 175 each year over the past 2 years (growth and SW kids) and I don't think that will change.

We need help!

quest said:

Debora,

It's obvious to me that your issue and the fact that the new Jamestown Middle/Ragsdale renovation has been effectively dropped from the priority list are an very planned design.

Where is the growth in the county - Northwest and Southwest.

Which areas are most desperately in need of new schools? Northwest and Southwest.

Which populations are most likely to vote in a non-Presidential election? Probably Northwest and Southwest.

The school board desperately wants another school bond to pass - probably next year. By continuing to sacrifice the NW and SW kids, the intent is that those areas will support the bond because they have the most at stake.

Mark my words - you'll see a Colfax High on the next school bond - the big carrot to dangle in front of us in exchange for our votes.

Remember - just because a project is put on the bond, there's no promise it will materialize. Example - Jamestown Middle/Ragsdale.


10-Star Gen. Slak said:

I will never vote For another Bond until grier is removed as Superintendent.

Guilford County needs a Competent Business Person, as well as a Common Sense Educator to run the school system.

You can only Shuffle Numbers so long before the Truth Comes Out.

Over the last 10 years, between Weast, grier, Dot Kearns, Mendenhall and all the other number shuffling cover-ups who have made decisions for our schools, the GCS system is gravely close to making its' last swirl around the toilet bowl before total destruction occurrs.

It is time for a CHANGE in GCS Leadership!!!!!!

cheryl said:

off subject, but some interesting posts on the "construction budget blues" strand.
a teacher posted that she and fellow teachers had been told to no longer give zeros to students. in fact, no grades less than 60 were to be given beginning spring semester - regardless of work done or not done by students.

the board discussed this grading scale revision last year and did not support it.

"terry grier" (goes back to his gcs email address) responded to this individual's post and basically printed that this teacher was not telling the truth - he has "not discussed the grading proposals you outline in your email with ANYONE..". he then proceeded to blame the teachers for students who choose not to perform and receive poor grades. later, he changed subjects to the gcs drop out rate for the balance of his post.

i found it so interesting, i printed those posts for future reference.

jennifer fernandez said:

Reassigned,

I did have something on the one-county discussion in my article on the retreat. Here is a link to that story.

It's the last few paragraphs of the story.

I focused on the broader issue of what was happening with the superintendent's annual review and possible raise, since I thought that would appeal to the majority of N&R readers.

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