Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Vision for CMS future

What should Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools look like in the future and how can leaders get it there?  The school board will hold a special work session at 6:30 p.m. today to follow up on its planning retreat with exercises on envisioning the future.

The two-day retreat in September brought a mix of practical and theoretical talk.  I'm watching the First Ward/University Park merger in hopes of seeing a before-and-after case study of one of the key issues.

Board members, Superintendent Heath Morrison and facilitator Nancy Broder talked about doing a better job of spelling out the reasons,  goals,  costs and anticipated benefits of board actions.  That's not exactly a  groundbreaking idea,  but so many decisions are made in a cycle of deadlines and pressure that the big-picture questions tend to get lost.

Case in point:  Turning the two elementary arts magnets into one multi-track year-round school.  The plan came as part of a flurry of closings,  mergers and other changes rushed through in fall 2010,  with the prospect of budget cuts and teacher layoffs being touted as the driving force for change.  For the past two years,  staff have been working intensely with faculty and parents to carry out the highly complicated mandate launched by then-Superintendent Peter Gorman and the 2010 board.

At the Oct. 9 meeting,  the board was slated to push the "start" button on the 2013-14 merger by approving a year-round calendar,  with parents starting their paperwork later in the week.  Superintendent Heath Morrison,  board Chairman Ericka Ellis-Stewart and Vice Chairman Mary McCray were not part of the original decision,  and zone superintendent Tyler Ream struggled to explain the rationale to parents who still aren't sold on the change.  The "fiscal implications" listed on the agenda boiled down to, essentially,  "yes, there are some,"  with no details provided.

As the meeting approached,  I was pushing the trio of new leaders on whether they could answer the questions being posed by parents:  Why do this?  Is it still the right decision two years later?  How much will it save,  and what are the ongoing costs?  The morning of the meeting,  Morrison, Ellis-Stewart and McCray decided to postpone the vote until they can answer.

"We've crossed the threshold for me to say, 'These decisions were made before I got here.'  Now the decisions are mine,"  Morrison said at a news conference the next day.

Of course,  any follow-up action will be second-guessed.  There's a reason school reform is often compared to fixing a plane while it's flying.  Parents and faculty at both schools,  but especially University Park,  have lived with uncertainty and stress for two years,  and any delay or change in plans would relieve some and frustrate others.

Still,  I'm eager to see how the new crew does at laying out the scenario.  Maybe we'll eventually take it for granted that the board and the public will have a full understanding of important votes.  Or maybe the crush of deadlines and mandates will squeeze out the best intentions.

59 comments:

nitin said...

Today schools should be technology based and chitkara school is among the best schools in chandigarh

Schools in Chandigarh

Anonymous said...

It’s time for CMS to stop pandering to the minorities. For 50years we’ve given them every advantage, more and more special classes, program after program, and spent trillions of dollars on free breakfast, free lunch, free school supplies, free everything that the working class parents have to pay for, and they’ve squandered every single opportunity given them. Now we have to celebrate their diversity, dumb down every single test, dumb down every single class, just to bring the proverbial playing field down to their level of ignorance. We devise ways to avoid the stigma of failure by rewarding them for doing nothing; Much the same way that Food Stamps now have the appearance of a VISA card to avoid the stigma of welfare. Enough is enough with this rabble. Let’s get this trash out of the way and get back to teaching those that want to learn.

Anonymous said...

University Meadows children would benefit from a closure of the school. It has been a sick building for years. Many of my colleagues have reported problems with the building. CMS has cleaned out mold numerous times. A couple of years ago the black mold was on the walls of most all the classrooms from floor to ceiling days before school started. One of the repair workers said the building does not meet code because there is no ventilation to the classrooms and that causes health problems but it saves on the electric bill at a lot of schools so CMS doesn't fix it. The air systems have recirculated bad air all day long for years in the classrooms. This makes kids and faculty sick or at best less capable. People in the school are breathing each others germs all day. Visit any classroom and ask where the required ventilation air required by law enters the classroom for University Meadows children. Another example of CMS decision makers intentionally keeping certain teachers and children down. Fixing what CMS already has is a good discussion for the Board of Education. If our children matter this should be on the Board agenda.

Anonymous said...

My vision for CMS is that they seriously consider changing the HS start time from 7:15am to 8-9am. This would improve teen alertness, behavior and academic performance (just as ALL the medical studies prove). Currently we have a serious tardy problem and students who continually fall asleep in class. We are behind the times on this important issue. And don't tell everyone you tried it before...do it at all the high schools, not just 2 of the urban, low performing schools (and then tell us too many people complained).

Anonymous said...

8:06 AM

I think a 7:15 start time for high school students is too early too but some people can't stop complaining (on and on and on...) about a 9:15 start time at a number of schools. What times do you think elementary, middle and high schools should start? My children attended 2 elementary schools with 5 different start time changes over a 6 year period - 8:15 AM, 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 9:00 AM and 8:30 AM (Smithfield and Endhaven Elem.). The middle school my son attended had 2 start time changes in 3 years (South Charlotte MS). Did I mention the 2 highly contentious student reassignment boundary controversies we endured over a 6 year period? My children have and will be graduating from private school. I couldn't take it anymore. We could afford to get out which had nothing to do with the quality of teachers and curriculum in CMS. Overcrowding also came into play. Eating lunch at 10:00 AM in the morning wasn't meeting my children's "individual needs".

Anonymous said...

The vision for CMS should be not based on race like the board wants it to be yet for educating all kids. Not a question of whether the bell schedule should be changed it sould be standard across the board 8:00 a.m. thru 8:30 a.m.. Fill the empty busses and stop complaining. Heath your correct its in your hands now and if you dont change the bell schedules I am taking my kids to another school.

Bill Stevens said...

This article is another fine example of the justification to breakup CMS.

Wiley Coyote said...

Earth to Bill....Earth to Bill...

Anonymous said...

My vision:
*3 districts.
*No more Ericka E-S.

BolynMcClung said...

.
PANDIFFEROUS

Anon 7:16A said….“It’s time for CMS to stop pandering to the minorities….”

CMS is so distracted.

Even if it isn’t pandering to anyone, it doesn’t stay on any track long. It will find a different pander to meander all too quickly. Common Core is the latest expression of that inability to know if it can successfully change mass quantities of pubescent hormones into productive citizens.

The worst example of the district's reluctance to stay the course has been the struggle to define mission and vision. It began with coming off three decades of federal court supervision. For eight years it was like one group of board members had control of the mission and the other group the vision.

Four years ago it took 18 months to find a compromise position on board motivation.

Then the Eric Davis board had a split vote on The Guiding Principles that tried to solidify Home Schools; but only made it clearer that the district was no longer one community but a collection of neighborhoods not concerned with each other.

The next board, the current one, slapped on the qualifier “For Change” and was off to the races pronouncing preK-8s as the next model and the new enemy is the charter school. It’s a mess of which there is at least one true statement; the nine members of the school have the ability to keep this town on edge and do a great job of it.

What to do?

The real question is “What not to do?” Being a laboratory for Raleigh and Washington and foundations is the number one problem for CMS. Once it gets it out of its mind that our district is where the hunt begins for the education version of the Holy Grail, the community will better be able to support CMS.

My CMS vision and mission: Stop looking at rainbows. Less experimentation.


Bolyn McClung
Pineville

Anonymous said...

The dramatic divergent views in the community are why getting a sustainable vision is so tough. Let the district split up so each vision has its own area. Perhaps all the separate districts could flourish.

Wiley Coyote said...

Bolyn said...My CMS vision and mission: Stop looking at rainbows. Less experimentation.

Like Obama, CMS can't run on its record.

Like Obama, what could CMS possibly talk about at the next meeting that will make one bit of difference?

Like Obama, CMS panders to its base.

Like Obama, CMS is clueless and takes no responsibility for its actions, but blames problems on someone or something else.

Like Obama, CMS lack intelligence.

I think I'm starting to see a pattern here.

Bill Stevens said...

Wiley, thanks but I always know where you stand on this issue, the split up of CMS. And while I thoroughly understand your position, I and many others will keep up the banter because nothing CMS does in its present formation will move this community forward. Companies locating here are giving private tuition allowances or recognizing employees will live outside this county. A few years, some relocated employees thought they could locate into the heart of the few good schools that are left. They however are seeing how the ivory tower is choking those schools and ensuring they are not raising money outside of CMS's oversight.

As my favorite instructor says, you keep doing what you are doing and you will keep getting what you are getting. The exodus from CMS of middle class white and black families has been accelerating the last couple of years. If this economy turns around to anything close to normal, the exodus will hit another gear. Many are just stuck now with overinflated home tax values, under appraised values and underwater mortgages.

The city is about to hit the productive class of the city with back breaking taxation deliberately not meant to help their neighborhoods. It is just to buy more votes to keep them in power.

Anonymous said...

Year round schools are always a better option for the important people, the kids. If they really come first then let's everyone else fall in line. My comment on the start of school time is that parents need to insist the kids regularly get to bed in time to get 8 to 11 hours of sleep depending on the age group. If not it doesn't matter what time it starts. They will just stay up later and still be sleepy. Thirdly if CMS and the rest of NC districts will start hiring principals with a teaching background instead of giving preference to women with social work backgrounds, perhaps we will get down to the business of educating our kids.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone really believe year around schooling will not increase the exodus from CMS?
Nothing but glorified day care.

Wiley Coyote said...

Bill,

I don't disagree with any of your points other than the split.

We differ on that point because I believe the system can be run efficiently as a whole by implementing the same directives you want after it is split.

Anonymous said...

We took our two high schoolers out of a "good" south charlotte high school this year. Best decision we have ever made. They are happy, doing great academically, getting more sleep (no 7am arrival to school), participating in sports, and don't have to sit through the 90 minute block classes anymore, woohoo!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Less experimentation.

7:16
Once upon a time there was a stigma attached to having a child out of wedlock. When my (white) 19-yr-old niece with two parents who are doctors is bragging about her pregnancy while professing her love for her baby-daddy all over Twitter, it makes me ponder your comments and society as a whole.

Anonymous said...

Glad to see other people are upset about the early morning 7:15 and 7:30am school start times. We moved here a couple of years ago and have 3 kids in elem,middle and high. We try to make it work but feel we have little family time together at night because we are trying to get all kids to bed at a reasonable hour, with extra curricular activities and lots of homework added in there. I guess it's not just me that thinks it's ridiculous.

Shamash said...

3:49 PM.

Yes, at one time there was a part of our society that just knew things like out of wedlock births were a bad idea.

There was even a stigma attached to divorce (and not just out of wedlock children) when I was younger.

But in the name of "acceptance" and "diversity", we've all been taught that we've just been too judgmental.

And now we reap what we've sown.

This is exactly why so many people have just chosen to move away from the problem.

However, when the rest of our culture doesn't follow suit but continues to glorify our bottom feeders, some of their bad habits will become "the new normal" and follow us wherever we go.

Bill Stevens said...

Wiley, that is a fine assumption but I think the reality is that "city/county fathers" will do anything they can including messing with a ballot box to keep the minorities "soothed" and that means them keeping them in control of CMS BOE and keeping anymore money from flowing to the suburban schools which would only shine more light on the achievement gap. If you have not noticed, CMS's white population academic performance has slipped the last several years. This is exactly what the urban leaders want.

This community is divided over what public schools are. The urban community believes public schools are a social services delivery mechanism and the true substitute for their failing family units. As long as that thinking keeps driving CMS BOE and if you read the comments in yesterday's blog about the UEA (?) you see real quickly that CMS is headed for even more lowering of standards. The proposition of the urban mindset turning around to be more like the suburban mindset of public education is not promising.

Anonymous said...

3:49
I'm OK, you're OK until it all goes to heck in a hand basket.

Anonymous said...

90 minute block classes are a waste of time unless you're in band class or preparing a school play. As a teacher, I accomplish more and push kids harder when I'm within a 60 minute time frame. Student engagement also tends to be higher when everyone isn't staring at the clock and disruptive bathroom breaks are less.

Wiley Coyote said...

Bill,

All you have to do is look at party affiliation and see the city and county don't have to do anything to "soothe minorities.

Party.....Total
DEM.......305168
REP.......179359
UNA.......180701
LIB.........1988
Totals:...667216

That same affiliation is why splitting up CMS will never happen.

Anonymous said...

Bill,

The only permanent, lasting solution for many people with high achieving kids is to leave CMS.

The Kojos (and other followers of Louis Farrakhan) in CharMeck's Govco won't be happy until they've bled every dime out of the blue-eyed devil in "reparations" for a situation that cannot be repaired.

They do not care if they drag all society down to the level of its lowest common denominator, because that's their comfort zone.

They thrive in the "moral sewer".

What the blue-eyed devil needs to do is take his ball and go play somewhere else.

Bill Stevens said...

Wiley, there enough white democrats that do not follow the Helms/Roberts agenda and do quietly voice opposition to how CMS has tuned out. The problem is the city/county fathers were very embarrassed last year with Kojo's no justice no peace rant and worked very hard to get EES as school board chairperson. It is not all about getting power seats but it is also about extracting money from "whitey".

Anonymous said...

4:36 I love the 90 min block. I can get lots of stuff done and the kids don't lose interest. What were you doing wrong??

Wiley Coyote said...

Bill,

How is that extraction working out for Detroit Public Schools? Or Chicago?

LEAs are going to get the money, no matter how far they have to extend their tentacles or what their ethnic makeup is.

If you had enough "White Democrats" or voters in general, you would have already been way down the road trying to split up CMS.

In 2008, 64% of straight party votes in Mecklenburg County were Democrats, 35% were Republican. A total of 411,000 votes were cast for President.

So when are you going to get all those hundreds of thousands to vote for deconsolidation?

Anonymous said...

Meck County politicians will eventually realize how much more revenue they could get if CMS was broken up. Many people would stay in Meck County if there were 3 districts. Now the move into Cabarrus, SC, Union, Gaston, etc.

Anonymous said...

VISION

Has anything changed in the last TWO DECADES?

Millions spent with the same crowd not graduating and having 3x spent on them versus the average student.

I have a vision. How about trade schools in CMeS. At least the people could see some return on investment!

Anonymous said...

trade schools. Yes, yes, yes

Bill Stevens said...

Wiley, the uptown power brokers wield a heavy hand. Too many of Mecklenburg citizens care less about CMS. The racists throwing around the race card have made many good white people give up fixing CMess.

Anonymous said...

If you had trade schools, there'd probably be a "disparate impact" discrimination lawsuit filed against CMS if too many black kids went there.

It's better to pretend they are all on a path to college and let them graduate unprepared for anything of significance.

Wiley Coyote said...

Bill,

It isn't the downtown crowd. It's the people who elect them.

You get what you vote for.

I'll say it again. Until diversity, race, income and location are stricken from any policy making regarding public education, nothing will change.

Educate the child. The 26 letters of the alphabet don't know a child's skin color. The answer to a simple math problem doesn't know where a child lives.

You have a long row to hoe in splitting up CMS...

Cost of splitting Jordan (Utah) district: $33 million

Apr 16, 2009 12:43 PM

From The Salt Lake Tribune: The breakup of Utah's largest school district may rank among the costliest in state history. The tab so far: $33 million. That's according to reports obtained by the Tribune showing how much was spent thus far dividing the Jordan School District. A protracted legal battle over Jordan's assets accounts for about $3 million. The rest was spent hiring people to run the new Canyonsdistrict and relocating Jordan's central offices, which Canyons inherits.

FROM FEBRUARY 2009: When the Jordan (Utah) School District split goes live this summer, schools on the east side will have a richer property tax base to tap into than schools on the west side. Seeking to remedy this imbalance, the Jordan School Board -- representing west side schools -- is endorsing legislation that would require the "equalization" of property tax revenue within a district before it splits. Sponsored by West Jordan Republican Rep. Jim Bird, the bill would not stop the split, but could complicate matters for the arbitration panel tasked with the divvying of Jordan's assets. The measure also promises to prolong an already costly and contentious divorce with the new east side Canyons District. (Salt Lake Tribune)

Read more: http://asumag.com/dailynews/jordansplit/#ixzz29VmLHAy6

Christine Mast said...

Wiley,

Don't forget that "voters" do not need to make the decision on a break-up of CMS. The fine legislators in our State Government would "make it so" by their own decree of creating two more LEA's. It could even be a trial program, to test the waters.

What's the worst that could happen? Newly elected Trustees (notice I didn't say politicians) could take a stab at effectively leading 3 smaller areas.

All I do know for sure is that what we're doing now is not working, nor will it ever work. Isn't that the definition of insanity? Keep doing what you've been doing, but expect to get different results?

If you agree with Bill on everything but the split, what is it going to take for current CMS Central Office to right this Titanic? And why haven't you and others been able to implement such changes yet?

Anonymous said...

Wiley, If CMS had positive momentum then I could agree with no split. With so many issues and very poor management with no light at the end of the tunnel the break up looks better. Local decisions much quicker with a local board. Project LIFT is a example of how the split could work. The current state of the district is just too big and unmanageable. Keith W. Hurley

Wiley Coyote said...

Christine...

Read up on the Jordan School District split.

That's why I hightly doubt this state will allow CMS to be split plus the NAACP won't allow it.

Any attempt will be in court for years.



Wiley Coyote said...

Keith,

You really believe that LIFT is going to work?

If so, where is all that extra money going to come from EACH year to replicate it districtwide?

Also, I have some prime bottom land I'd love to sell you.

Anonymous said...

5:34
I think I'm a better teacher in shorter blocks. I'd rather teach more shorter blocks than fewer longer blocks. I think (I know) I accomplish more teaching 3 shorter blocks vs. 2 longer blocks. Is there any research related to student achievement and 90 minute blocks? Do most teachers prefer 90 minute blocks over shorter blocks? 60 minute blocks put me in sweet spot teaching zone where the clock is irrelevant.

Anonymous said...

9:01, okay say I am an OF because I know this. When CMS HS's went to the 90 minute blocks, academic scores improved at all the high schools except one, West Meck. I will be the first to say too that it is more likely due to the change of leadership that was going on at the time. But as you see in the long run, West Meck has made far more academic strides that West Charlotte or the counterpart at Waddell and with a lot less money per pupil.

Anonymous said...

Wiley and Keith, what is your take on the state allowing LIFT so much leeway in school hours, school times, and calendar days in the classroom?

Is it just a way for them to say "put up or shut up" and since they have given them all this leeway when it does not work out, they can turn their back on them?

Did Judge Manning weigh in on this?

Anonymous said...

CMS bell schedules are ridiculous. I taught at NWSA for 9 years,with a 7:15 start time. The amount of tardies was huge, as was the amount of students sleeping in class. Now we have 5 and 6 year olds in school at 4:15 in the afternoon. It is all about busing. The BOE will say the high school start time is so kids can have jobs and after school activities. Why don't all the private high schools start so early? CMS needs to completely overhaul the bell schedules at all schools. 8:00-3:00. www.change.org/petitions/change-cms-bell-schedule

Anonymous said...

We ALL need CMS to succeed. Call your nearest PTO president and ask how you can help. Invite your neighbor to go with you to volunteer. Quit complaining and do something to help.

Anonymous said...

90 minute blocks are too long. 60 minutes would be much better. definitely too much experimentation and "activities". Someone decided that students need to have "fun" while learning,as a result students are always in socializing mode.

Anonymous said...

10:46
I've already served as a PTO president, school leadership team member, door decorator, after-school club director, ESL tutor, media volunteer, office volunteer, and parent task force committe member. I'm not different than a lot of people who complain on here.

Anonymous said...

Oh, and I was also a class grade parent for 6 years in a row. I've earned the right to b-tch.

Anonymous said...

I am grateful I was in a position where I could volunteer this many hours a week. I'm not complaining about this.

Christine Mast said...

Wiley, I have read about Jordan's split. Sounds to me like they didn't do their financial homework prior to implementation. That's their bad, and not a valid reason against splitting up CMS.

How can the NAACP file a lawsuit based on racial mix, when the district is currently 69% minority - 31% white, and will eventually be 80-20, then 90-10, then 100% minorities just like Atlanta and other major cities?

CMS 2012-2013
African American 41.7% & Hispanic 18.4% = 60.1%
White 31.6% *

* "Whites account for about 60 percent of Mecklenburg County’s population and 50 percent of children under 18, but they represent just under 32 percent of CMS students."

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/10/09/3585574/hispanics-are-fastest-growing.html

The NAACP is living in the past and the more informed of all races know this process is failing based on the leading academic indicators.

I will ask my question again: If you agree with Bill on everything but the split, what is it going to take for current CMS Central Office to right this Titanic? And why haven't you and others been able to implement such changes yet?

I don't know about you, but since I've got children in the system right now, I don't have (more) time to wait for this behemoth to get "fixed."

Anonymous said...

I am a teacher. 90 minute blocks are only so CMS can manage large number of students, not for the student's learning. I would much prefer shorter blocks, and so would my students. I have often wondered why critical classes such as math and english are not taught a/b day throughout the entire school year. It can be a one year span in between math and english classes with the current scheduling. Yes, I am opposed to 7:15am high school start time as well. Too many tardies and comatose students.

Anonymous said...

Wiley, No I dont think LIFT will work unless its funded longterm. Its a way for Denise to have a job for a few years is my take on the whole agenda. Only way they got the flexibility to change was they hired a LOBBYIST. CMS has no LOBBYIST and that is why funding is always a issue. If you trace back 3 years when they fired the LOBBYIST you can track the low budget data. Out of sight out of mind. I would cut the PR department budget and hire a LOBBYIST so CMS can get more. I am sure Judge Manning is watching LIFT and will blow the whistle if it gets out of hand. Parental involvement is 99% of the issue in those schools you can throw another $100 million at it that wont fix grades and dropouts. Keith W. Hurley

Wiley Coyote said...

Christine,

I'll say to you what the Superintendent of Richland School District One told my father in the 70's;

"The best thing you can do for your children's education is to take them out of public school and put them in private school".

The unfortunate thing was my parents couldn't afford to do that. Not until later when three of us had graduated and moved on could they put my youngest brother in private school.

CMS will not be "fixed" anytime soon so your kids will still be mired in the same mess CMS has been in for decades.

Think about it. How many BOE future plans have been made in the past decade? the 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, etc. And what is the "achievement gap" again? The graduation rate?

The splitting up of CMS is purely racial/economic in nature. No one is buying the BS that people are selling to break it up so all children will have a great education and the system more efficiently mananged.

The NAACP won't sue for racial mix, they will sue for racial bias and funding used to try and break the system up and if Obama is re-elected, have fun!

Anonymous said...

Wiley , The value is over the border in York County. Schools great low taxes and for kids who apply themselves free college. Student must carry a B plus average and pay room/board to in state school. They are eating the lunch of the state of NC. CMS is trying to emulate what SC has been doing for the last 8 years with some of the "new teaching methods". I agree the change is hard to achieve with such a HUGE monster. Keith W. Hurley

Wiley Coyote said...

Keith,

It isn't the size of the system.

It's the mismanagement of it by educrats and politicians.

We have no clue as to who really qualifies for FRL, which drives basically everything related to public education funding.

How can any system, whole or split, make accurate projections as to who needs what help and where to spend the extra money if you're not allowed to find out?

Again, how does the largest retailer in the world manage its business from a central location in Bentonville, Arkansas? Do you think Wal Mart would be here today if it didn't have a clue about what went on in its stores?

I think not.

Anonymous said...

Wiley, I cannot argue that point I agree. One simply has to look at the super search this year. We have a good paying job with upside. We get Cash , Morrison and Clark a internal candidate? Unemployment is over 10% and this is what we pull in for a "coveted job" I rest my case. Keith W. Hurley

Anonymous said...

Vocational Tech schools in the future or you will see another TRILLION DOLLARS spent with no measureable results!

Anonymous said...

How many years did CMS have no vo tech because of discrimination lawsuit threats. Meanwhile 20-30 high pay machinist jobs go unfilled because companies cannot find interested employees with basic math & reading skills.

Christine Mast said...

Wiley,

So what would you have "us" do? You say we can't break up CMS (or more specifically, you keep saying it "won't" happen). You say we can't fix the educrats and politicians in charge of the current mismanagement.

So when I have kids in the system right now, you'd rather have me sit back and hush and just deal with the garbage we've been dealt?

I think not.

Anonymous said...

The only way to solve CMS problems is to create the ISDs. This places the control and management in the hands of local Trustees. The North ISD is racially balanced contrary to NACCP rant for publicity. It works in San Antonio and it will work in CMS. The new General Assembly should immediately implement a "Pilot Program". If not, wait another 5 years and the public school system will be 100% Latinos and Blacks.

Anonymous said...

Get over it.
Liberal activists who happen to be black now run the county commission and the CMS BOE.
The game is over. Blacks rule. Time to get even.