CMS wants ability to start school three weeks earlier

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has outlined a draft of its legislative priorities for next year, and topping the list: The ability to start schools three weeks earlier.

That would allow schools to get their first semester final exams done before winter break, CMS associate general counsel Jonathan Sink explained to the school board Tuesday. The board is scheduled to vote on the agenda Nov. 19.

The district has nine priorities for state government, and three for local government. Here's a full list, with some explanations offered by Sink.

State priorities

1) Calendar flexibility. At a minimum, the ability to open three weeks earlier than currently allowed.

2) Raise teacher pay to national average.

3) Get the authority to have complete control over local funds.

4) Restore state-funded growth formula. This is a response to a controversial measure passed this summer.

5) Restore state funding for driver's education programs. Otherwise, allow the district to charge students the full cost of the program, or end the mandate that schools provide it.

6) Get charter-like flexibilities. CMS would also like the ability to start its own charter schools. We are asking GA to serve as chartering authority. Further, CMS wants a mandate that parents choose where they will enroll their students (in public schools or charters) by April 1. This would help eliminate discrepancies in enrollment expectations.

7) Oppose mandated inter-county and intra-county student transfer legislation.

8) Fully fund pre-K programs. CMS says it currently gets money for 20,000 students, but says another 40,000 could potentially be eligible.

9) Change the grading formula for the upcoming A-F school performance grades. Right now, the formula is weighted 80 percent toward proficiency and 20 percent toward growth. CMS wants an even split.

Local priorities

1) Restore city of Charlotte funding for school resource officers in CMS.

2) Establish a collaborative inter-governmental committee to identify, prioritize, plan and fund operating and capital budgets.

3) Establish a collaborative inter-governmental committee of planning experts to analyze the impacts of development on CMS.

Making friends in Raleigh

State Rep. Bill Brawley had an interesting explanation for his support of  a bill that would free Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools from state calendar restrictions:  CMS earned it.

Brawley

Brawley,  a Matthews Republican who was a CMS parent until his youngest graduated in 2009,  has long been skeptical toward district leadership.  H characterizes the longstanding attitude as:  "We're CMS. Do what we tell you."  Just last year,  after Brawley watched a newly elected Democratic majority on the school board appoint a Democrat to represent the heavily-GOP south suburbs,  he spoke about how that leadership was creating the kind of fear and anger that leads to talk of splitting the district.

But now,  he says,  things are different.  Case in point:  Constituents recently came to Brawley with concerns about the safety of a bus stop.  Brawley went to CMS,  and instead of reminding him of rules against changing locations midyear,  the leaders listened,  agreed they had a case and made the change.

"I don't think it was a big issue to them,  but it was a big issue in my district,"  Brawley said this week.  "They trusted me.  I'm going to trust them."

Brawley gives some of the credit to Superintendent Heath Morrison,  who started last summer,  and some to the board's leadership team,  elected in December.  Chairman Mary McCray,  a Democrat,  and Vice Chairman Tim Morgan,  a Republican,  have been building stronger relationships with the GOP-dominated team in Raleigh,  he said.

Cotham

So when Rep. Tricia Cotham,  a Democrat,  asked Brawley to join her in sponsoring House Bill 509,  he agreed.  Brawley said he doesn't have strong feelings about the calendar restrictions,  so he could show his support for CMS without compromising his principles.  That's how political relationships work,  he says;  you don't get everything you want,  but in a close call,  goodwill can be the difference between success and failure.

That's not to say CMS is assured of getting the calendar flexibility the board requested in this year's legislative agenda.  The bill exempting CMS would have to pass both houses and get the governor's signature.  But bipartisan sponsorship can't hurt.

"What you're seeing is a rare beast in 21st century America,"  Brawley said.  "It's bipartisan cooperation.  There is a point where we're all trying to serve the constituents,  and when that happens it's a good thing."