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Kaye’s June 2009 Newsletter
Kaye About Town
On
Thursday, June 25th, I plan to be at DILWORTH COFFEEHOUSE, 355
Matthews-Mint Hill Road (Matthews) Hoods Crossroads Shp. Ctr.
(704-845-2495), from 7:30 until 9:00 a.m. I will be available to
discuss school-related issues and to answer questions you may have
regarding Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Thanks to all those parents
who came out to Starbucks Coffee last month.
Reduction in Force (RIF)
With
budget cuts on the county, state and federal level, our $1.2 billion
budget needed to be reviewed and drastic cuts had to be made. However,
I still believe we have hardly touched central office administration
and learning community staff, while making huge inroads into laying off
our teachers with the RIF. I am concerned about the priorities that the
majority of this Board has set by voting for the RIF and the “criteria”
that came along with the RIF.
It is unfortunate, but some of
the men and women teaching in our school system aren't getting the
required results in the classroom and must be excused from their
position. However, CMS should not have to wait until a budget crisis to
do so. Teachers should be regularly evaluated and if their skills are
not bringing students to their academic potential, then consideration
should be given as to whether those teachers continue on in the next
year. This should have been happening over the last several years. It
pains me to have to eliminate so many teaching positions since I am so
aware that, as I have said many times before, any results we acquired
in student achievement has been through the hard work and dedication of
our teachers.
The RIF has been directed towards teachers and
Assistant Principals. There are other ways we could shift how we spend
the money we have. We must scrutinize every budget area; there should
be no sacred cows; we must protect the classroom where our most
precious children need that positive learning environment.
Recommendations of proposed Boundaries and Feeder Patterns
Setting
boundaries is always emotional and it is very difficult. The process
has taken several weeks and Board members had ample time to do their
homework, study the issues, meet with constituents, attend community
meetings and come prepared on June 9th to make a decision.
The following decisions were made at our June 9th Board meeting:
1.
New Bailey Road High School 2010-11 school year. The Staff
recommendation passed with an amendment that added the entire three
sections of the Wynfield neighborhood versus just one section as
originally recommended. This was not the perfect solution pulling folks
out of North Mecklenburg High School; however, many different parties
tried coming up with alternative boundaries and no one could find a
better way.
2. Staff recommendation passed for the new Robinson Church Rd. Elementary School 2010-11 school year.
3. Staff recommendation passed for the new Stumptown Road Elementary School. 2011-12 school year.
4.
Staff recommendation passed for changes in the Torrence Creek and
Barnette Elementary Boundaries effective with the 2009-2010 school
year. This will relieve some of the overcrowding at Torrence Creek. It
was unfortunate that these folks did not have better prior
communication from CMS.
5. Recommendation passed for approval
of Ardrey Kell High School northern boundary adjustment. This has been
a political football for the past 4 years. It was an “unintended
consequence” of previous boundary settings that should have been
corrected at the start.
6. Recommendation for approval of “Old Providence Southwest” area reassignment did not pass.
7. A Board decision on the New Mint Hill High School boundaries was delayed until August 11th.
As
I mentioned in my May newsletter, I felt the CMS staff recommendation
did not take into consideration the community input expressed at the
meetings CMS staff had held, and thus the staff recommendation was one
I could not support. Since that time, there was much work done on
boundaries for this school by folks in the community. The Mint Hill
community recommendation included a Reedy Creek split with Independence
HS in the Boundary. I was prepared to support this recommendation;
however, the majority of the Board voted to postpone a decision until
the Board meeting on Augu
st 11th. Dr. Gorman will direct the CMS staff
to come up with a recommendation that will meet with Board approval.
The Board has guidelines established for students assignment; however,
each Board member places different emphasis on various of the criteria.
At some point, the Board needs to revisit these guidelines. However, I
don’t think now is the time to do so. The Board just needs to make an
informed decision. That is our job.
District 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are up for Election and Re-election in November, 2009
This
is an opportunity to change the majority of this Board from a “status
quo” majority to a majority where meaningful change and reform can take
place to foster gains in student achievement. Filing to run will take
place in July. Look at their VOTING record. It will speak volumes! I am
willing to meet with anyone you feel would be a candidate worthy of
your vote.
June 9th Board Meeting
I
enjoyed having the opportunity to Chair this meeting. I try to do the
best job I can to listen to the community, study the issues, do my
homework, and vote responsibly. I will continue to do so.
Graduation 2009
I
was able to attend several graduation ceremonies this year and would
like to extend heartfelt congratulations to those 7,216 CMS high school
graduates for a job well done!
A special thanks to their
parents and especially to their teachers who worked tirelessly to make
a positive difference in their lives! Stay focused on your goals as you
start the next chapter in your book of life!
Thank you for your continued support and GOD BLESS!!!
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Kaye and her family
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