News-Record.com

Bruce,

The agenda still includes an item for continued discussion of redistricting at tomorrow night's meeting, so it could be discussed.

I know the N&R staff determined that the map presented at the December 19 meeting was not of good enough quality to publish, but do you know where I can view the map (even in its not-so-good state)?

Thanks!

That map still isn't up on the GCS Web site, Numbersgame. I'll be glad to provide that, if and when we can get an electronic version (the only version I have is a paper copy).

And while redistricting is listed on the agenda, the board said they would hold off discussion until after these public forums. I believe the only real discussion tomorrow will be about when and where to hold these forums.

according to today's hpe, tuesday night (1/10) the school board will be discussing:

"The latest redistricting map on the table for High Point includes new school attendance zone lines for the three high schools AND THEIR FEEDER SCHOOLS. If approved, more than 600 students from Florence Elementary neighborhood in Jamestown would move to the T. Wingate Andrews attendance zone. Southwest High would draw students from neighborhoods that serve Central and Andrews."

but, i imagine the board could vote to hold forums before further discussion of maps. reckon we'll find out tomorrow night! heck, you never know, the board could hold a secret, illegal meeting before tuesday evening without giving proper public notice - this seems to be a pattern.....

Not to disagree with the folks at the HPE, but if the board does talk about this, it will be a direct contradiction to what they said a few weeks ago, when they said they were suspending their redistricting discussion until after they hear from the public.

The latest "scoop" "backpocket" "chittychittybangbang" map IS on the GCS website.

Go to;

http://www.guilford.k12.nc.us/boe/agenda.htm

Click on Dec 19 meeting then scroll to;

VIII. Board Discussion

A. Continued Discussion of Redistricting Plans.

Click on this link and you can open

District Map - High Point Area Map (This map was presented at the December 19 Board meeting.)

I was told by a board member on the phone yesterday that two maps would be presented.

One is the Anita Neighborhood map with some changes.

One is the map that was the Back Pocket Map that Eric whipped out of his pocket at the end of the last meeting with some tweaking in it.

Eric is still working on the numbers and how they will affect the three schools involved.

Also they hope to have the public forums by the end of January and the beginning of February.

Maybe if these maps are not presented tomorrow, they will just be the last Anita Neighborhood Map and the Back Pocket Map with the tweaking added and presented at the Jan/Feb forums. Hopefully, they will show any "tweaking" to the public tomorrow. So it is very important if you want to stay involved to attend the SB meeting tomorrow.

All I know is that in Winston, their Magnet fairs have already been held. It must be nice to live in a district where your child knows where they will be going to school.

If the forums go until Feb...that puts any final vote on any maps in Feb. and the way that our board dilly-dallys around, that means kids won't know if they are coming or going until late Feb., March ..or I guess even into April!

Nice going School Board. Another half-ass plan for High Point. Thanks for all your hard work to make the kids feel school loyalty. I'd like to see Marti's daughter and Alan's daughter and Dotty's grandbabies sitting around shaking their 8-balls, wondering what school they'll be bused to next!

...My sources say...Timbuktu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope everyone can come to the SB meeting. The more the better. In person is about 100 times more effective than an email to an individual Board Member. I look forward to seeing everyone at the Board meeting.

Thanks for finding that, Truth. I checked in the wrong place - I looked under "redistricting maps." No idea why I thought a redistricting map would be there!

The staff may well present some tweaked maps or changes tomorrow night. The board may ask questions about those maps.

But as far as discussion goes or making any decisions, they've promised to hold off on that until after the public forums. We'll see what happens.

Schoolboard and decision, aren't those oxymorons?

I'll bite my tongue from any further elboration of the moron root.

Cheryl, nice to see you post again. Every parent with a child at Florence should go to that meeting on Tuesday. Great post about future bond referendum on the other strand.

NO TRUST = NO BONDS

Sorry to change the subject but does anyone on this blog happen to know what the title of Terry Griers' first published article from his Doctorial thesis was?

Q&A 4U,

Was it, "How to get Bought Out of your Superintendent Contract--Multiple times--for Dummies ?"

Q&A 4 u,

ooooH,,,oooooH,,, I Know, I Know!!!!!!!!

Could it be,,,,, " How to Destroy Evidence through Arson" ??????????

NO LISTENING TO COMMUNITY = NO BONDS

To David Hoggard and others perturbed with the use of bogus email addresses:

Do a little homework before you slam people. Anybody having any knowledge of computer security will advise you NOT to use your real email address.

Here's what Microsoft has to say about it:

"Disguise your e-mail address when you post it to a newsgroup, chat room, bulletin board, or other public Web page"

Great attempts on the answer to my question but the correct answer is........
Drum roll please.........

"How to Fire Career Teachers"

I just can't imagine why our teacher morale is at an all time low.

Excellent job by all of the speakers tonight. It was good to see everyone at the meeting. Obviously last week's strategy session was worth the effort. No doubt the first of many to come.

It will be interesting to see if this present Board is honestly interested in a level playing field or if it just feels compelled to given some token head bobbs.

Why my Aunt Dottie even smiled at me before the meeting started, either that or she was trying to signal security to have me removed.

I have to say I was a little disappointed in Joe Stafford's speech tonight... Pulled the plug on the HP Plan???? The last I checked all of the course offerings were still in place. I believe the plug was pulled on the illegal child abduction portion of the plan last month.

These illegal child abductions are still supported by Dot Kearns, Susan Mendenhall, Walter Childs and Marti Sykes based on the vote prior to Christmas.

Are these abductions what you feel the plug was pulled on Joe?

Joe needs a lesson in the great American tradition called Democracy. Does he know that people have actually died defending it!

Joe, go and take a hike! You are a bore!

Buckmtnman,

The programs ARE still there. Only the illegal lottery is gone.

Bruce/Jen

Please post the maps or tell us the link as soon as you know. I watched the tape and you can't read the maps on TV. It was very confusing as the motions starting going and not being able to see the map that went with it. Could you give a brief summary of each how it affects the SW zone - who stays - who goes.

Thank you.

10-4 Stillthere.

The thing of it is I respect Joe for caring. I may disagree with what he says sometimes, but I can't fault the man for always stepping up to the plate and taking a swing.

It's just that last night I wanted to ask what he was thinking out in the lobby, but he had already left.

Truth,

I have served in a war zone defending democracy. Have you done the same?

The point I was trying to make is that the issue should have been on agenda and notice to one and all would have been given. I believe in a deliberative process with no surprises. What was done in December was unfair to the staff which was trying very hard to implement a flawed plan of the Board of Education.

I may be a bore, but I don't attack my fellow citizens that want the best education possible for our children.

There should be no redistricting of High Point, Period! Colfax was promised NW and that should be honored. With new additions to SW, and Colfax where they were promised postponing of redistricting is not just an option, it is a must. There is no reason for it other than political. We cannot be asked to support new bonds if they hit us again. It would be irresposnsible to put the bonds in jepordy over unneeded redistricting.

Joe,

the programs REMAIN in the High Point Schools. The staff can STILL work hard to implement them. In fact it is DEMANDED that the administration and staff continue to work hard on them. ONLY the method of assigning the students has changed. ONLY the lottery has vanished. I don't think that is of concern to the staff. How areas are split and divided is of no concern to the staff just as they would like it to be NO concern to families.

Please speak up that they KEEP working on that "World -Class" part that they've promised! THAT is what I don't see yet and no vote is needed to start bringing THAT on!

Thanks for speaking out for the schools, but don't forget there's KIDS involved. It's not just procedural issues. That's the problem with the board, they get stuck on all the procedures and mechanics and FORGET, or selectively remember, that it's ALL ABOUT THE KIDS!

We've had a record number of posts in the last few weeks. For that, I want to thank you; we're glad you've found an online home here at The Chalkboard.

But there's one little thing I need to address. This is a place for everyone to debate ideas. And by that, I mean EVERYONE is welcome to post here.

We've had a few recent messages saying, "So-and-so isn't welcome here." Well, those people have just as much right to post here as anyone else.

And to Joe Stafford, I'd like to personally thank you for your service in defense of this country. To me, our military veterans are the greatest heroes we have.

An open letter to members of the BOE. Please excuse this letter being posted and not sent to you personally. Technical difficulties preclude that from happening on a timely basis.

January 11, 2006

Dear School Board Member,

It was my intention to speak to all of you Monday evening. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the meeting due to a conflict with my work schedule. I would like to share with you several points to consider as you move into the redistricting process. They tend to be simple, but definitely NOT easy.

1. Redistricting- If this needs to be done for the new Northern High School then it should be part of a county-wide process in 2006.

a. High Point Maps – Maps already exist for this area of the county. They are used daily, even today. They are the 1999 maps that are used if a student in 11th or 12th grade moves to High point or Jamestown. There is NO NEED to fall into the trap of believing that you need to vote on a motion to bring new maps to High Point alone. Any map should be part of a county-wide process that adheres to a philosophy identified in “a” above.

b. Neighborhood Schools- This is a position that deserves NO middle ground. Your position must be you are either for schools closest to home or you are in favor of busing for diversity. To say neighborhood schools are good for some schools but not for others is hypocritical. This is a COUNTY-WIDE school system, not a system of three municipalities (Greensboro, High Point, and Guilford County).

If you believe in busing for the sake of diversity, then ALL schools in the ENTIRE COUNTY should have a similar make up (the county average plus or minus 10%). This would include schools that heretofore have been insulated from county-wide plans (i.e. Northwest, Dudley, Grimsley, Southern, etc.)

2. Magnet/Option Programs- Numerous discussions continue around these programs without clear definition of what the objectives, quantifiable goals, or budget is for the overall program as well as the individual pieces. How you can keep spending money on new programs without clear definition as to measurable objectives, goal or budget is puzzling to most. It’s considered irresponsible use of taxpayer funds by many.

Suggestion: Place a moratorium on any new programs until an overall strategy and budget are developed.

3. Solutions

a. Leadership- Quality leadership has the ability to attract and retain quality teachers. Constantly moving principals leads to instability and lack of relationship/connection to the teachers/parents/students. Our best, most tenured principals should be leading our “at risk” schools.
b. Class Size- Reduce class size in “at risk” schools. Example: all College Preparatory classes in “at risk” high schools, a maximum of 20.
c. Teaching Supplements- Pay teachers a differential to teach at “at risk” schools.
d. School Supplements- Paid to “at risk” schools to support programs like those mentioned in b & c, but also for other basic and supplemental needs of the school.
e. Research Based Curriculum (RBC)- Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) 2005 has recognized the profound improvement that a RBC approach has on children with disabilities. If significant advances are found with children with varying levels of disability, wouldn’t it seem logical to follow this strategy with our “at risk” students? This approach, as the name suggests, is research based. Many of the recent suggestions for improving schools (single sex, etc.) are theory based. Sure using RBC materials is more expensive, but many would find it alarming to know that a lot of the texts and curriculum in Guilford County is based on the cost of the textbook, NOT on the quality of the material. Veteran teachers can and often do, teach “around” the text. Most less experienced teachers RELY on the text. Could this be one of the reasons our rookie teachers find success difficult?

A Research Based Curriculum (RBC) that is requested by a student with any type of disability (as much as 15% of the GC student population) MUST be available to the student according to many associated with learning disabled (LD) students (based on IDEA 2005). Additionally, those schools within GC that already use RBC materials have shown significant growth with test scores. Why are we keeping this a secret? Is this a monetary decision? Guilford County PTA may be addressing this issue in the near future.

Many that have come before you in the past have been chastised because they are deemed complainers that offer no solutions. The purpose of this post is to offer solutions in addition to identifying current challenges.

My post will be dismissed by some simply because I am a parent. Some of you may dismiss my suggestions because we have had disagreements in the past. I hope some of you will bring up the points I have taken the time to research and document as REAL ISSUES with possible solutions that should be explored.

Lastly, I want to suggest that there is a HUGE TRAP that awaits many of you. I was lured into the same trap for two years while working through the redistricting process. PLEASE DO NOT believe that you need to make a motion or to vote on ANY map before you have defined how you will redistrict the ENTIRE COUNTY. If, as a board, you believe in schools closest to home, redistrict the ENTIRE COUNTY accordingly. If, as a board, you believe in busing for the sake of diversity, redistrict accordingly. NO EXCEPTIONS.

SIMPLE but NEVER EASY!

In closing, I respectfully request that each of you take the time to share with me your PERSONAL thoughts. If you aren’t comfortable putting your thoughts in writing, please feel free to call me .

Thank you in advance for your reflection and discussion,

Tim Mann

1 a Paragraph should read "B below" not "A above"

Lesson 1.

SCOOP MAP HP + NOSCOOP MAP GSO =

NO BONDS!

Southern is diverse. see numbers

Bruce/Jen,

Could you find out from GCS EVERY map that is still being considered, including the ones from any forums this year that involve HP schools, and post the links on this website.

Please see if you can give us or get a brief summary of each as they are REALLY hard to read on line and see any streets.

And all those colored stars......uhhhhh!

THANK YOU.

BA

HONEST QUESTION TO THE SCHOOL BOARD

(I was going to ask this Monday night when I spoke but my time was up.)

Is it REALLY worth getting hundreds of parents in a tizzy AGAIN over supposedly a few empty seats at Andrews???? We have heard that they are teaching at that school on CARTS. If this is the case, then as Anita asked Eric H two board meetings ago, "Where are the empty seats?"

The $847,000 grant of Fall 04 allowed for Smaller Learning Communities (money to be distributed to all three high school evenly per the article in the N & R). The science labs were put in which took away classroom space.

Yes, you have not "redistriced" us for 3 years but you put us THROUGH THE PROCESS every January. It used to be take down the Christmas tree, put up the snowmen, and here comes MLK holiday so get ready for all the forums, meetings, emails, phones, etc. etc. etc. This year you "shopped early" to feel us out and it started before Christmas and then the big Florence map announced around Christmas break. I consider this "cruel and unusual punishment" on our spirits. Every year and we are simply tired of it.

This is undue and unnecessary stress on the SW community. Why is ONLY North High Point and Jamestown continually targeted for redistricting?? I don't see any new schools on the drawing board? Although with all the growth in North HP/Colfax you will definitely need one sooner or later. You have new schools coming up in the Northern section and other areas. Your focus should be there on redistricting.

Wouldn't it be better to use the energy and support of the community and put a hold on ANY redistricting until new schools are built. Wouldn't past negative energy be better to use in a positive manner, to rebuild the TRUST and get parents behind you instead of always fighting unnecessary piecemeal redistricting.

As John Faircloth said so eloquently Monday, he has learned you don't mess with people's kids.

Do the research for the focus themes, see what is actually working and which ones have the demand, which ones will help the Triad economy in the long run by preparing students for a local workforce, STREAMLINE them, apply for grant funds to make them truly "world class", create a REAL draw like a magnet should, not a set-up for forced busing. Continue working with the parents of the Andrews community to be involved in the process. You have started the outreach programs. Now is the time to continue to reach out and expand these efforts.

And lastly, encourage safety and discipline and respect in all of your schools. Address any real safety issues; don't hide the problems. It only give them an excuste to fester.

and p.s. Dr. Grier et al, don't forget about money for cameras on buses when you start on that budget. Consider the shooting at Grimsley at the bus stop this year, all the vandalism, fights on buses etc. This may not stop it. But I truly believe it would discourage it. And it is certainly cheaper than bus attendants.

Thank you for listening.

Barbara Ann

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." Albert Einstein

Interesting comments.. :D