Friday, March 22, 2013

Glimpse of CMS tech future

Want a sneak preview of what the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools construction plan might include? Check out Miami-Dade's iPrep Academy, an urban magnet school that uses technology and internships to prepare students for careers.

CMS officials will present a 10-year capital plan at Tuesday's school board meeting. They've made it clear that equipping old and new buildings for digital technology will be a significant part of that plan,  in part because new online testing requires far more internet access than most schools have now.  And they've said some plans for new magnets and choices will be part of that presentation.

iPrep Academy in Miami
At Monday's budget work session,  technology chief Valerie Truesdale reported on a February visit to iPrep Academy, a 320-student magnet housed on the top floor of the Miami-Dade central office. Students work on Macbook Airs that they can take home,  in classrooms where some of the furniture is on wheels for easy regrouping when they work on projects. Some walls are coated in IdeaPaint,  which allows writing and erasing.

The original academy,  which has the superintendent as principal,  has expanded to magnets located within several high schools. While Truesdale didn't come out and say  "We're doing this,"  she cited the academies as an example of how school buildings and technology can set the stage for a newer and more relevant classroom experience.

Truesdale also offered a tip on the latest CMS lingo. Old-timers will recall that some former superintendents referred to big projects as  "big rocks."  Truesdale said Morrison likes to call his new projects  "big bets,"  emphasizing the notion of investing in a future payoff.  Appropriate,  perhaps,  for a superintendent hired from the casino city of Reno.

46 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's not like these opportunities haven't been out in the rest of the country for the last decade and a half. CTE in the rest of the country has been at the forefront of technology. Berry's prototype was Highland in Gaston County, and CPCC is less than a mile away. A fact finding trip to Miami was necessary when a YouTube video could have given all the info necessary? What was the cost of this excursion and how many administrators were on this junket? Furniture on wheels? Bond Street surplus has plenty, fix it, recycle it, and quit throwing it in the dumpster.

Anonymous said...

CMS has been getting ripped off on their furniture purchases for decades. nothing to see here -

Wiley Coyote said...

A couple of observations.

Do away with the testing and we won't need all that bandwidth.

The subject of the article is a technology magnet. So will CMS do the same? Where would this magnet reside? West Charlotte?

Taxpayers! Be prepared to vote against any $1.86 BILLION dollar bond package CMS tries to bully or use crocodile tears to get passed.

Vote NO on any bond referendum that does not include well researched, verifiable, common sense projects!

Anonymous said...

Wait, I thought we just took every failed plan from Florida and tried to import it into CMS? Oh wait...nevermind...

Unknown said...

CMS is about 10 years behind most NC counties.

Anonymous said...

Mooresville is how far up I-77 Ms. Truesdale?

Anonymous said...

Correct, model school right up the raod 30 miles folks. A decent Superintendant as well. Boy would it have been cheaper to hire him instead of re-Pete / Heath from Reno. Guess it would have made the Spanglers, Eli Broad and Pat Riley a little upset and we dont want to do that now.

Anonymous said...

Why do we care what the GM of the Miami Heat thinks??

Ann Doss Helms said...

Wiley, I'd bet a large sum there won't be a $1.86 billion bond package. The last 10-year plan was in that range, but any bond package is only a slice of that ($517 million in 2007 was the biggest so far).

Wiley Coyote said...

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

CMS bonds in 2013?

After a long recession-driven slump in school construction, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials laid out a $1.86 billion 10-year plan for school construction and renovation Tuesday.


Read more here: http://obsyourschools.blogspot.com/2012/01/cms-bonds-in-2013.html#storylink=cpy


You reported it.

Just like Pam Grundy with 177 tests, if you report it, then the data must be gospel.

Sorry you can't see the smirk on my face... hehe

Ann Doss Helms said...

Wiley, your smirk is quite evident, but what I'm saying is that the 10-year total is not the same as a bond package. In the past, they've asked voters for about two years worth of spending at a time.

Wiley Coyote said...

CMS will never let an opportunity go by to ask for hundreds of millions, in this case almost two billion and settle for what they can get.

Any 10 year plan is going to have a huge price tag - lump sum or broken out in two year increments.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By Ann Doss Helms

Posted: Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013

Spending almost $34 million on school safety upgrades will force Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to delay other projects voters were promised during the 2007 school bond campaign, Mecklenburg County’s finance director said Wednesday.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spending money on a project today that wasn't even on the list over 5 years ago takes away from what was originally proposed, whether one agrees with what was proposed back then or not.

I've stated a gazillion times that there will never be enough buckets of money for CMS to burn through.

And I'll bet a large sum that CMS will be asking for more than chump change for a two year spending spree and beyond.

Anonymous said...

11:55 ANON- Let me help you poor lost sole. The Chamber calls the shots with the vendors to CMS. Allen Tate czar Pat Riley calls the shots for areas of towns and what schools get what. They both bamboozle companies looking to relocate with bloated stories of how great CMS is for their employees families. Riley wins with 6% commissions and Chamber wins by fleecing the vendor companies to join in Chamber functions. Which of course are worthless and useless. The brothers 2 look at all the boards and link the 3 orgs up fairly simple.

Anonymous said...

Sole,soul,Seoul,soil,soyle,Soleil? I guess you filleted his shoe or medium catfish 3:00? Enjoy your weekend.

Anonymous said...

O sole mio...

Anonymous said...

Our basic problem now in Mecklenburg County is that enough voters do not pay property tax that any politician wearing a flower can say "it's for the children" and people get all weepy eyed.

Past BOE's have got this county in a bind. Schools got replaced in areas of town because politicians and community leaders said they had to be better for the kids to get better grades or to attract better teachers and neither happened. Yet children in other areas of the county had to go to lunch at 10:00 and lose their playgrounds.

Sorry but CMS BOE has too many "sins of their fathers" to get out from under before proving they can do an adequate job of placing schools. Maybe it would be better for us for the county commission or an independent state board have the say-so in this.

CMS has got to improve its percentage of funding that gets to the schoolhouse. Only 78% or so is getting there as of last report.

By the way, where is the 2011-2012 school year per pupil spending report? Usually it is out within a couple of weeks after the semester break.

Anonymous said...

Buona notte CMS.

Anonymous said...

ANN

Please ask the Head of CTE in CMS J.Chancey to answer the question of why he is taking AWAY the number of computers in every lab. Teachers are now asked to teach around 40 students in class. He made a directive this year to REDUCE the number of computers in every lab to 25. How is this an advancement in teaching 21st Century skills to our students. It is truely insane.

Anonymous said...

Also ask why CTE classes that require a computer for EACH student have more students than computers???

Anonymous said...

One only needs to see the retention rates, retirement departures, and hires in CMS CTE to recognize where the long suffering problem is. Amazing how many former CMS CTE personnel have gone elsewhere to be successful.

Texas girl said...

CMS is not requiring, I mean expecting the parents to go out and buy their little and big kiddos Ipads and Iphones to play with, I mean use at school for learning purposes. They are taking the computers out to the south charlotte schools and sending them to west charlotte.

How about that per pupil spending report CMS?

Texas girl said...

OOPS, That should read NOW REQUIRING.

Anonymous said...

CMS is way behind on vo-tech training and innovative thought.

And how about that 7:15am high school start time?

Anonymous said...

yes arrest every sorry bum at those big banks that put us through the great recession.

Anonymous said...

Jimmy Chancey has put the CTE department in CMS back at least a decade. He was booed during a speach four years ago by everyone in the department

CTE teachers are asked to produce twice as many students in classes now. The state stipulates one computer per pupil. CMS has been breaking that policy for years. Now Chancey wants to reduce the number of computers in the lab to make the work on the teachers twice as hard. There is not ONE person in that tower who has a clue about teaching in the classroom. Chancey is worse than Scott Muri and the rest of the tech gurus. All Chancey talks about is 21st Century skill all the while he is stuck in the 80's.

Anonymous said...

If it weren't for banks and private enterprise there would be no America and it would look like some 3rd world socialist banana republic which is not that far off anyway under the current tyrant.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/03/26/3939870/charlotte-restaurant-group-backs.html

Polls say 85% of NC taxpayers against any tax funding for BOA? Is Mecklenburg not in NC? All taxpayers are sick of not only Obama freeloaders but also these pampered bloated useless pro sports anyway. Who do you think pays for their salaries?
i.e. Scam Newton made a total 27 million in 2012 and 22 million in 2011 on 2 losing teams as a mediocre player ( he was 11-11 in high school ) hyped like a god in the CO knowing the players union allowed him much of his production protecting him from harm because of who he is. In spite of his past criminal record and illegal acts he is treated with kid gloves.
This is one reason why taxpayers despise paying another dime to these grotesque overpaid so called professional spoiled rotten brat bums.
Bum owner Richardon also headed the owners group that gave the players union an extra 10 billion to end the 2011 union strike. Go fig. Richardson is a shark like his players and all pro sports.

Who pays the bill but the masses? Why is tv cable bill going up twice a year now? Why is gas almost 4 bucks a gallon and rising? Why is food and clothing going up 10% annually in inflation while the economy remains flat?

And they bitched and ran off Shinn while allowing 2 other freeloaders in Johnson and Jordan to play free in a new 500 million downtown NBA 17k seat arena while tearing down the bigger much nicer 24k seat Tyvola Rd 50 million coliseum completed in 1988 because it wasn't uptown and convenient? Total BS.

The original coliseum was built way out Independence in 1957 not uptown was it not? What is with this everything has to be uptown crap crammed in like a can of sardines?

Shark Richardson and his bum bratty players need to pay for any and all stadium improvement. Otherwise get the hell out of Dodge and tear down BOA or sell it.
Pro sports is completely a fraud and a gimmick anyway. Keep all amateur sports in school and college. Ditch the pro racket. People pay 60% in taxes anyway and still 17 trillion in the hole in DC under the big spender.

Force new pappy Jordan to cough up 500 million for TWA with his 60 million annual endorsement salary or find another owner who will buy it. No free pass for anybody.

Anonymous said...

Kids have way too much screen time now as it is....CMS should be very careful as it moves forward into this unchartered territory. There is no evidence that technology improves learning, or test scores. It will become another distraction away from real learning and real teaching in the classroom.

Yet, CMS will encourage and perpetuate the "crackberry" mentality that has taken over our young ones. I for one, as a parent, discourage dependence on technology and am happy to say it. the BYOT program is just a way for CMS to get the suburban parents to foot the bill for technology and the devices have become a crutch, or babysitter in the classroom.

Anonymous said...

Anon 9:08- Unfortunately your accurate with your analysis. The BYOT is a crutch for CMS and financed on the back on the upper class. I guess this is what we get as parents for our tax dollars when the BOE of CMS puts 35 kids in a classroom with 1 teacher.

Anonymous said...

Ann

Have you talked with Jimmy Chancey yet? Ivestigative reporting?


Find out about the elimination of computers within the labs. It is a very simple question to ask. Then ask about the Department of Instructions mandate of 1 computer per 1 student. Do you have any clue what is going on in our CTE classrooms? FIND ANSWERS

Anonymous said...

7:16,
The Ann you need to investigate is Ann Clark, who already knows everything about CTE, yet............ Weren't you at the "last man standing" CTE meeting during Pete's reign?

Anonymous said...

Audit the enite CTE Department

There is no way that someone has not misappropriated funds. I am not saying embezzlement, but you have no idea.

ANN

FOLLOW THE MONEY

Anonymous said...

BofE, Jimmy Chancey, Expanded Staff

and

MOrrison

FALSE PROPHETS

Anonymous said...

Jimmy Chancey + CTE + CMS =

Complete disconnect with 21st Century Skills

Anonymous said...

NO ANSWERS ANN ?

Anonymous said...

Better teach some of these students how to fish because there has never been as many people on food stamps and disability insurance in the history of this country.

Does Chancey have a fishing rod?

Anonymous said...

Our kids need to learn real skills. Do our high schools teach computer programming and offer vocational training?

Texas girl said...

fyi..study came out 2 days ago on how people use personal technology (their iphones and ipads). Not surprisingly, 67% for games, 9% for entertainment, 12% social media, other health, utilities, etc...

Glad we're encouraging this in our elementary schools now.

Anonymous said...

4:44,
Ann's probably not answering because of the McClatchey rolling furlough. Anytime you see a blog post go this long, the administration sends the employee home for some "R&R." Historically, the next post should hit online early Monday AM.

Anonymous said...

These questions need answers.


MOrrison is now increased the CTE budget and plans.

We need leaders that will not waste or steal our taxpayer money.

Anonymous said...

AA = ANSWERS ANN

Anonymous said...

Did you or Latarza sweep these CTE questions under the rug just as MOrrison has asked to expand these programs?

Anonymous said...

Atlanta is nothing compared to what is and has been going on in CMeS...Murri and Baxter anyone?

Paid these BOZOs hundreds of thousands to produce what?

Classrooms with 40+ students and deteriorating technology with ready , fire , aim policies.

CTE departments with overcrowded classrooms and the Director Chancey wants to eliminate some of the computer resources for the teachers.

More Bond Money?

NO SIR

There is at least 100 million dollars worth of fraud and waste in the budget already. Follow the money and start at the top of the tower.

Anonymous said...

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/30/us/former-school-chief-in-atlanta-indicted-in-cheating-scandal.html?hp&_r=0

Oddly enough there's a local connection with this biggest ever school cheating scandal and local NFL team owner Richardson and his overpaid overrated overhyped cheat QB who allegedly "graduated" in 2007 from the same cheat school system. Yea rite.

And the owner wants taxpayers to bend over and shell out a 150 million handout promoted by Foxx and Co to upgrade his stadium? What a joke.

These shyster bandits give have your cake and eat it too a whole new meaning ...





Anonymous said...

Thieves will get no more tax money. Replace the gambler from Reno now he is in way over his head already!

Ann Doss Helms said...

Bingo, 3/28 11:42 a.m. The only part you missed was the 6 a.m. Monday -- I prewrite posts and set them for that time, and wasn't inspired to sneak in some Easter blogging. So you'll have to wait for 6 a.m. tomorrow, once I've waded through the inbox and figured out what's up. (We do actually take real vacation, too, so absences don't always mean furloughs.)

RE getting these questions answered, I'm not sure whether CMS admins are working during spring break. That's one of the things I need to figure out.

Ann Doss Helms said...

In case anyone's checking back here on the computer question, here's what I got from CMS communications chief Kathryn Block this morning: "There are two types of computer labs in CMS schools. Some are called instructional labs and are equipped with either 25 or 31 computers. For example, In elementary schools, there is one lab of 31 computers; in middle schools, two labs of 31 computers; and in high schools, there are two labs of 31 stations and one lab of 25 computers. Standards for instructional labs have not changed recently. In addition, Career and Technical (CTE) labs are provided in middle and high schools and those standards have not changed recently either."

If there's an issue at a specific school, I'd need more details to check it out.