Here's your chance to have input into the WCPSS budget! (Walnut Creek: homes, public school)

[librarySue]

For Immediate Release
December 9, 2010 Communications Department
Contact: Bill Poston
Phone: 850-1700

WCPSS Creates Webpage Seeking Budget Suggestions

The Wake County Public School System has created a webpage to seek
suggestions for the 2011-12 fiscal year budget.

The school system expects an additional 4,100 students either enrolled in
our schools or attending local charter schools (for which we provide
per-pupil operating funding). The school system will open two new schools:
Walnut Creek Elementary and the Wake NC State University STEM Early College.

With the current economic conditions, the school system does not expect any additional county funding, costs for benefits and utilities are increasing, and, most importantly, state and federal funding is likely to be cut significantly. The funding shortfall for 2011-12 school system budget is
estimated at between $70 million and $100 million dollars.

As in the previous two years, WCPSS must do more-serve more students, and do so more effectively-with less money. The school system is inviting the public to make suggestions on how best to achieve that by submitting their ideas online at WCPSS: 2011-12 Budget Suggestions (http://www.wcpss.net/budget/2011-12-suggestions/. - broken link)

At the webpage, you can also find important background information about the school system budget.

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[annesg]

I saw this on the WCPSS website. However, having attended school board meetings, community forums, and private meetings with members, who have roundly ignored me (and my one vote, I suppose) and flatly told me that my concerns are not merited unless I have a petition with hundreds of names (I live in a subdivision with 30 homes, not gonna happen), I am pretty darn sure they're going to ask for input in order to look good and then do whatever they damn well please. I'm bitter, yes. But unless 500 people in one member's district make an identical recommendation (hey! THERE is an idea!), I don't think they'll care. They are after votes, that's very clear to me.

[librarySue]

Yeah, I think I would have more faith in a survey format rather than the short answer. At least that would give them some quantifiable stats rather than just some ramblings of malcontents to work with.

Nonetheless, I feel forewarned about the reality...Plus 4,000 students, minus several million dollars equals hard decisions, no matter who is in charge or what we want.