"We can't go back to schools, we're doing it within Central Services," said Burns. "The impact in Central Services will ultimately reach the classroom."

Central Services is the business side of the school system and includes functions like accounts payable, computer support, maintenance of school facilities and the school system's communications department.

Changes the school system must prepare for include:
• $8 million in discretionary cuts in state funding as part of the second year of the biennial budget;
• Anticipated increase of $6 million in employee retirement, hospitalization, dental insurance and local salary supplements;
• A reduction of $3 million available from system reserves to balance the budget
• And unknown expenses associated with growth and new schools.

During the recent school board campaign, several candidates complained about Central Services' funding and called for cuts.

"I respect his decision to make all these cuts in Central Services and to protect our teachers," said newly-elected board member John Tedesco. "This is what we've been asking for and I respect his willingness to work with us in this manner."

Burns cautioned that the cuts were not a "silver bullet" that will solve problems for the long term.

"This is a fiscal response to a very challenging budget year coming up," he said. "What we're trying to do is be very proactive, to get out early so that we can make the best decisions possible."

He expects to have an estimate of recommended cuts from his staff within four to six weeks. The final budget will be presented to the Board of Education in early March.

The school board will work through the recommendations and submit their request to the Wake County Board of Commissioners by May 15.

Tuesday's board meeting was the last for the current board and a time for accolades for outgoing members Horace Tart, Eleanor Goettee, Lori Millberg and Patti Head. They received recognition from the N.C. PTA and from the Wake chapter of the N.C. Association of Educators.

"There were many times that you answered our emails, our phone calls, and always had time for questions in the hallway," said Jennifer Lanane, Wake NCAE president. "And I appreciate that."

Diana Bader, representing the N.C. PTA, acknowledged the outgoing board members' commitment to "every child."

"You have stood tall as a model for this great nation," said Bader. "As one of the few school systems that use a model for socioeconomic diversity and have not resegregated or created high poverty schools."

But amidst the accolades, board members chose to turn the tables.

"I think it's unfortunate that the public seems to be largely unaware of the fact that we have a team of education superstars coming to work, every day, propelling this system forward," said Lori Millberg.

"Dr. Burns, there is no one who loves this system better or loves it more than you do," said Eleanor Goettee.

The outgoing board has endured public criticism for its support of a socioeconomic diversity policy and mandatory year round schools. For veteran board member Patti Head, eight years of service included a billion dollar bond issue and the largest student reassignment in Wake history.

"It's been a lot of hard work and lots of difficult issues," she said. "Not being able to make everyone happy because you're dealing with public good and personal interest, and trying to balance all those things."

Three of the four board members voluntarily gave up their seats, while Horace Tart lost his re-election campaign. But all are leaving with some trepidation about changes promised by newly-elected representatives.

"I think through the election there was a lot of rhetoric," he said. "I think when people get on the board and they look at the facts and they face reality, they will understand more about the system.

For Eleanor Goettee, a champion of Professional Learning Teams, the future of the weekly early release program that gives teachers extra planning time is an unknown.

"I do believe that the incoming board members may be more concerned about the timing of the Wake Wednesdays, not necessarily the intent of it," she said. "So I'm hoping that they can work through taking a look at these PLTs and come to an understanding first of the importance of them."

Sitting board member Ron Margiotta supported the incoming coalition and its quest for change. But today, he extended an olive branch to the board members they will replace.

"My ear will always be open while I serve on the school board if you have any concerns," he said. "Please keep my feet to the fire."

"Your commitment to passionately advocating for the education and well-being of children deserves acknowledgment," wrote PTA National President Charles Saylors. "I am pleased to present you with a National PTA Life Achievement Award for your great efforts to improve the lives of America's youth. This is the highest recognition bestowed by PTA, and is given only to those who have demonstrated exemplary service in support of children."

Head will retire Dec. 1 after serving eight years on the Board, two of them as chair. During her tenure as chair, Head led the Board successfully through a $1 billion bond issue, hired a new superintendent, and transferred 10,000 students in one year due to dramatic growth and unprecedented new school construction.

Prior to serving on the school board, Head was active in the PTSA at Broughton High School. Her volunteer efforts included serving as BHS PTSA President, Founder of BHS Class Parent Partners, BHS Choral Music Booster Board, BHS Guidance Support Committee, Chair BHS Advisory Committee.

Perdue was scheduled to speak Monday morning in Greensboro with Grimsley High School students about applying for college before speaking to the annual meeting of the North Carolina School Boards Association.

Perdue and state lawmakers didn't endear themselves to school leaders this year by approving a state budget that required districts to find $225 million in cuts in grades 4-12. Perdue and the State Board of Education urged school officials to tap into federal stimulus funds to keep teachers and other key personnel employed.

The governor also is scheduled to visit the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine in Winston-Salem.

One of Leesville High School's most famous graduates had harsh words for school board members in a Thursday post on his blog. Aiken wrote:

"What happened to Wake County Schools?!? Now that i have a kid i am so much more invested and I am EXTREMELY disappointed that so many selfish idiots ran and won seats on the school board. i hope we can get rid of them as soon as possible before they ruin my school system. Idiots."

New board members who spent Friday in a Wake County Schools orientation session took time to read the blog, but said Aiken's criticism is the least of their concerns.

"My first reaction was... Clay who?" said Chris Malone, District 1 board member-elect. "And then, of course, it hit me...I knew who he was."

But the harsh words don't stop with Aiken. Jennifer Lanane, president of the Wake County chapter of the N.C. Association of Educators, criticized new board members' plans to do away with Wake Wednesdays, the weekly early release for teacher and staff development.

"If you cut off a program because you don't understand it, then you've done a disservice to the children of Wake County," said Lanane. "If you understand it, and you don't think it's valuable and you have concerns, then let's sit down and talk about that."

But an angry email draft of a call-to-action that Lanane said was mistakenly released to her membership made its way to new board members, who took issue with the way they were characterized.

"We have not begun to govern, we have not taken our seats yet," said Debra Goldman, District 9 board member-elect. "We have not done any of these things. And so being accusatory to any of us is completely unacceptable."

Lanane, along with the Wake County PTA Council and area principals, has extended an invitation to the new board members, other elected officials and parents to visit schools on Wednesday, Nov. 18 to see Wake Wednesdays in action. For more information, contact Wake NCAE at 919-782-8908 or contact your own school's principal.

Rosewood Middle School principal Susie Shepherd had endorsed a school fundraiser that allowed students to receive extra grade credit as an incentive for collecting donations for the school.

The school was to give 20 test points to students in exchange for a $20 donation. Shepherd approved the idea when a parent advisory council presented the plan to her.

WCPS said in a written statement that they were not made aware of the fundraiser and "do not condone any fundraiser or practice that allows extra grade credit to be purchased".

District officials said they have directed for the fundraiser to stop immediately and no extra grade credit will be issued. Beginning November 12, all donations are to be returned to students, according to the school district's statement.

The Wayne County school district says it will continue its investigation and additional actions will be taken if deemed necessary.

Share: Should schools be allowed to give students extra credit in exchange for a donation? Take part in our poll and share your thoughts below.

The Governor visited a nursing assistant class at Nash Community College in Rocky Mount that was created with the help of funding from the '12 in 6' program.

The program, part of the JobsNow Initiative, allows community colleges across the state to have six month training programs for twelve in-demand job fields.

Community colleges choose which of the twelve they will offer based on the jobs that are likely to be hiring in their area.

Nash Community College President Bill Carver said there has been a lot of interest in the '12 in 6' programs, and that general enrollment is also up by about 12 percent.

Chuck Dulaney, Assistant Superintendent for Growth and Planning, and Nicole Kreiser, of Wake County's Budget office, told school board members that a change in the kindergarten age cutoff date is partly responsible for a 1.4 percent growth this year, the lowest in more than a decade. Dulaney said enrollment should be back around 2.7 percent, or around 4,000 new students, for the coming year, but may climb as high as five percent by 2014.

"We are constantly growing," he said. "The question is how fast will we grow?"

Growth projections will be presented to a joint meeting of county commissioners and school board members and will be the basis for next year's budget planning. Dulaney and Kreiser cautioned that a recovery from the current recession may come slowly, but that a long-range view could make history repeat itself.

Wake saw a similar dip in growth numbers in the late 1990s, followed by a period of rapid growth between 2003 and 2005. That growth, and subsequent school overcrowding, led to unpopular student reassignments. Click on link below to see the growth chart presented to board members.

Dulaney said even slow growth could mean an additional 20,000 students by 2014. He said current construction plans cannot accommodate that many more students.

"Any way you look at it, our growth over the next five years is going to continue to challenge us," he said. "Now is the time to be developing capital plans to address the needs that we think we're going to have in 2014."

Outgoing board member Horace Tart cautioned that trying to fill all the empty seats at existing schools instead of building schools could backfire.

"We have empty seats now, but they will be taken by the lack of being able to build new seats," said Tart, who is a former chair of the board's Facilities Committee.  "If we fill these seats now, we'll be in big trouble later."

In a separate presentation, Dulaney gave an overview of school facilities utilization rates for the current year, which showed that the school system is currently using 1,071 mobile units on its campuses to accommodate overflow. More than half of all mobiles are used in elementary schools.

http://media.mgnetwork.com/ncn/pdf/091110_projected_enrollment.pdf

The high school, known as H6, is currently planned for a site off two-lane Forestville Road near U.S. 401. The site is just over two miles from the newly opened Heritage High School. Community concerns over traffic issues, an historic cemetery on the land, and rock deposits on the property were brought up by each of the District 1 candidates during the school board campaign. The mayors of Rolesville and Wake Forest also have spoken against the site.

Malone indicated in an interview with NBC 17 last week that Forest Ridge would be one of the first targets of a new board.

"I think it's incumbent upon the school system to be more concerned with the taxpayers' money," he said. "With the idea that it's very likely that it will be moved."

Here is the complete text of Malone's email, which included the names of all four newly-elected school board members and current member Ron Margiotta:

A letter to the Wake County School Board
And County Staff.

11/04/2009

RE: Forest Ridge High School

I hope this finds everyone doing well and in good spirits. Thankfully, time for campaigning is now over. We are now a month away and a new majority will take its seats on December 1. Whereas I completely agree that we need to go forward in a judicious and thoughtful manner on any policy change I think it incumbent upon us, and in this case I do speak for the coming majority, that we suspend any future or currently planned spending on the H6 site whether direct or indirect. When I was on the Wake Forest Board it came to me that sometimes regardless of what one might believe is a good policy or program, that when the people speak loudly enough it is our job.. that being the board and the staff to amend our goals and to listen and act. Call it servant leadership. Call it politics. Sometimes the intrinsic value proposition of public opinion outweighs other concerns. Whatever it is a healthy respect for the will of the people will always keep you in good stead. So without further delay the future majority is requesting a stop to H6. We look forward to an immediate review of the available options. Thank you...

With Regards,

Chris Malone
SB- Elect District 1

John Tedesco
SB- Elect District 2

Deborah Prickett
SB- Elect District 7

Ron Margiotta
School Board Member District 8

Debra Goldman
SB- Elect District 9

"This sends a clear message that the parents and the taxpayers in Wake County can take back their schools," said Tedesco. "And now they have a team that's going to go there and fight for them."

A runoff for the District 2 seat gave Tedesco an extra month to rally his supporters to the polls. And they came.

"My wife and I unfortunately don't have any kids yet, but I do teach for Wake County and I think that's the direction that I'd like to go in is Mr. Tedesco," said voter Brian Reeve.

Despite her failed attempt to withdraw from the runoff, Truitt received more than two thousand votes. After congratulating Tedesco on his victory, she reflected on the campaign.

"I am here to celebrate the close of this election and the fact that many voters have been heard," she said. "To celebrate that we've given ourselves this extra month to look more closely at the issues."

While many issues were discussed in the campaign, ranging from 21st century schools to teacher retention, the overwhelming issue was the school system's method of maintaining diversity. The NAACP held two "Get Out The Vote" rallies over the weekend where leaders spoke out against the push for neighborhood schools.

Ronald White, president of the South Central Wake NAACP, said he welcomes Tedesco to the school board, but warned that the board's actions will be getting close scrutiny.

"We want everybody to know that we're going to monitor the school board, regardless," said White. "It is 1960 no more. We're not going to do re-segregation and end of busing."

Tedesco called fears of re-segregational a "generational" issue, saying that minority parents he has met are less worried about segregation than about being involved in their children's schools.

"How we build to our neighborhood schools model,we're going to move as fast as we can but we want to be diligent and do it smart," he said. "In a way that protects the integrity of our system while being sure that we do not lose any of our children in the process."

Tedesco noted that turnout for the election was more than double the turnout for the 2005 school board election, when Horace Tart was chosen to represent District 2.

But the controversial candidate said Monday she is finished with campaigning. She stayed in the race, she said, to ensure that the outcome of the election will be up to the citizens in her district.  Her withdrawal would have left open the possibility that the Wake County Board of Education would appoint a replacement to the position.

"My concern was whoever takes that seat next week, tomorrow, should be elected by the voters," said Truitt. "[They] should not be appointed by this [school] board, they should be elected by the voters. And it should be a legitimate election."

Truitt has been criticized by her opponent and her own Republican Party for the events of the last several weeks. Since her decision to withdraw from a runoff, she publicly endorsed her rival, John Tedesco. But after the State Board of Elections' decision to continue the runoff, she agreed to remain a candidate, leaving many to wonder why.

"I'm hearing all kinds of conspiracy theories and there's a political strategy going on," she said. "There's not been any conspiracy and there's been no secret maneuvering."

Truitt also clarified her stance on diversity, saying while she supports an end to forced busing, she believes the way to promote diversity is by offering families more choices throughout the school system, including high school career academies and expanded magnet school options.

"If you go strictly back to neighborhood schools, it means there won't be magnets left," she said. "There are other options, including not only maintaining and expanding magnets, relaxing the restrictions that are prohibiting many children from being able to get in them."

Tedesco and three newly-elected school board members are advocating for neighborhood, or community schools, saying the county is much more diverse than when Wake's policy on socioeconomic diversity was developed and that county oversight will provide for equal distribution of resources throughout the school system.

"These current policies are hurting these most vulnerable children the most," said Tedesco. "I'm hoping to build a bridge and open relationships into other communities to get them in that dialogue."

But local and state NAACP leaders disagree, saying the campaign for neighborhood schools could mark a return to segregation. Over the weekend, the NAACP hosted two "Get Out The Vote" rallies in Wake County, saying their goal is to make sure that everyone in District 2 has a voice in the election.

"District 2 is going to decide what happens in the Wake County Public Schools for the next several years," said Ron White, president of the South Central Wake NAACP. "We're trying to educate people and strengthen the idea that one vote will make a difference."

Truitt said a victory in Tuesday's election is an "improbability" for her. The important thing, she said, is that people exercise their right to vote and get involved.

"If he is elected, and I think probably he will be," she said. "Will I support him? Absolutely. Will I offer assistance in any way? Yes, and I hope all parents will do that very same thing."

Harris' new title will be the deputy assistant secretary of education for policy and strategic initiatives with the U.S. Department of Education.

Harris has been the head of the Durham public school system since July 1, 2006, when he was promoted from deputy superintendent.

"Durham is a community that truly cares about its children. I am proud that we have earned the respect and support of our community," said Harris in a prepared press release. "I am especially proud of the leaders we have in place at the district and school level. We have great classroom teachers who focus each day on improving academic achievement for all students and many other dedicated staff members who support teaching and learning. The collaboration among our leaders, teachers, staff and parents will allow Durham Public Schools to continue providing quality educational opportunities for all students."

"It is with heavy but deeply grateful hearts that the members of the Durham Public Schools Board of Education accept the resignation of Dr. Carl Harris. Dr. Harris has provided a quiet strength in his leadership of our district over the past three-and-a-half years," said Minnie Forte-Brown, Chair of the Durham Public Schools Board of Education. "Dr. Harris leaves a school system that has improved academic achievement, a significantly lower dropout rate and a slate of new schools that offer support targeted to specific student needs. Durham's loss is definitely our nation's gain. We wish him well as he takes his wisdom and his experience to Washington to improve schools across our country."

The statement reads: "I accept the decision by the NC State Board of Elections to continue the runoff for the District 2 Wake County School Board seat. If elected on November 3rd, I will accept the seat, take the oath, and serve as a member of the Wake County School Board."

This comes after Truitt publicly announced she wanted to withdraw from the run-off on Oct. 19 and, two days later, endorsed her opponent John Tedesco.

However, the Board of Elections ruled that Truitt would remain on the ballot, since early voting had begun.

Tedesco fell just shy of the fifty-percent of votes needed to win the Oct. 6 election. Tedesco and Truitt both came out ahead of incumbent candidate Horace Tart.

The Academy of Women is a distinguished honor, recognizing remarkable women who excel in their fields while maintaining a strident commitment to achieve the YWCA mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. Currently, there are 234 members of the Academy of Women, including notables: Gov. Beverly Perdue, Rep. Linda Coleman, Justice Patricia Timmons-Goodson, and Dr. Maureen Hartford, president of Meredith College, among the many inspirational leaders.

WHEN: Wednesday, November 4, 2009

TIME: 6 - 9 p.m.

LOCATION:  Raleigh Marriott City Center, 500 Fayetteville Street

RSVP:  aow@ywcatriangle.org, (919) 828-3205, or online at http://aowa.kintera.org

The YWCA unites women and men who strive to improve the social and economic conditions that affect girls, women and their families.

Established locally in 1923, YWCA programs address disparities that still exist in health, education and economics to make life-changing differences for thousands of area families. These programs are represented through four core initiatives: Women's Empowerment, Racial Justice, Youth Development, and Health and Wellness. As a private, non-profit organization, the YWCA is dedicated to promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people.

Johnson was chosen by a committee of former principals of the year and DPS administrators. The next stage of the competition is regional, and then the six regional winners will advance to the final level. One principal will be chosen from these regions as the winner of the North Carolina Wachovia Principal of the Year award.

Johnson has been principal of Mangum since 2004. Before that she taught several different grade levels at Oak Grove Elementary School from 1977-1999. From 1999-2004, Johnson was Director of Instruction at Oak Grove.

Johnson holds two master's degrees - one in school administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the other in education from North Carolina Central University. She holds a bachelor's degree in science from East Carolina University.

"Gwen Johnson is a very well-seasoned elementary educator with a passion for her job like few principals I have known," said Superintendent Carl Harris. "Her dedication to her students, their families and the teachers in her school is evident in the school's overall climate and student achievement levels. Gwen will represent us extremely well at the regional and state levels!"

Truitt filed for a runoff on Oct. 7 after her opponent, John Tedesco,failed to get the required 50 percent of votes to win the election. Tedesco got more than 49 percent of the vote, while Truitt received 24 percent. Incumbent Horace Tart came in third in the race.

In a surprising move, Truitt announced she was withdrawing from the runoff on Oct. 19, but did not file paperwork with the Wake Board of Elections until Oct. 21. Because there is no precedent for a candidate withdrawing from a runoff in the county, and because early voting had already begun, Wake Board of Elections officials asked the state for guidance as to how to proceed.

In the discussion Wednesday, Board member Bill Peaslee clarified that Truitt had not withdrawn her candidacy, merely her request for the runoff.

"I don't know Ms. Truitt, but I'm going to assume that she chose her words carefully," said Peaslee. "There is no evidence that she wants to withdraw as a candidate. But it is her right as to whether she wants to have a runoff or not."

Board member Anita Earls said statutes do not allow candidates to withdraw their request for a runoff, but that Truitt's move could constitute a withdrawal of her candidacy.

"In all of those circumstances,it is clear that the runoff election proceeds," she said. "We need to require the election to move forward. This is the right thing to happen."

Supporters of Wake County's socioeconomic diversity policy had expressed their support for Truitt in the runoff in hopes of preserving support on the Board of Education for the policy. The NAACP had called for the runoff to continue.