Dr. Barry Williams, Superintendent Gates County Public Schools

September 9, 2013

  State Superintendent News   Legislative Revisions   Feeling the Effects   Opening of School!!   “Student catching the bus”   District Accreditation   Convocation Awards   District Leadership

  Duetoanaturaldropintestscoreswhennewtestsareintroduced,StateSuperintendentofPublicInstructionJuneAtkinsoniswarningofanupcomingdipintestscoresforNorthCarolinastudents.TheresultsofnewtestsbasedonCommonCoreStandardswillbereleasedforEnglishandMath,andbecausethetestsarenewtobothstudentsandteachers,anaturaldropintestscoresistobeexpected.

  She also commented on increased competition from charter schools and private schools that traditional public schools will face because of the new voucher program. Families meeting income guidelines will be able to use $4,200 a year in taxpayer money to send their children to private schools, and money will follow those children away from public schools in the way it does when children move from traditional public schools to charter public schools. 

1.  Public School budget cuts to personnel and classroom resources that need to be restored:

  $120 million cut to TA’s for 2013-2014

  $286 million cut to Classroom teachers for 2013-2014

  $17 million cut to instructional support for 2013-2014

  $77 million non-recurring cut to textbooks in 2012-2013 not restored

  $38 million non-recurring cut to classroom supplies in 2012-2013 not restored and exacerbated by a $7 million recurring reduction in 2013-2014

2.  Lack of pay increase for all school personnel 3.  Elimination of master’s pay for teachers 4.  A-F School Performance Grades 5.  Tax-payer funded vouchers for private

schools 6.  Concealed weapons on school campus by

approved carriers 7.  Testing Calendar 8.  Limitation on school counselors

administering tests

  Quality is established with innovative teaching styles, manageable class sizes, and individualized attention afforded to those who demonstrate a need. The fact that our teachers, administrators, and staff make a difference is proven.

  In order to continue to provide our children with the best possible education and reach high caliber teaching levels and state recognition, the amount of state funding to support our staff and programs is crucial. When the funding level is decreased at the state level will directly impact the education we provide our children.

Larger classes could also come at the same time that Gov. Pat McCrory has proposed eliminating funding for teacher assistants in second and third grades. The bill, S374, will be discussed Wednesday by the state Senate’s Education Committee (April 2013, Superintendent Update).

Elementary‐Curious,excitedandjustsohappytobeinschool(studentsandteachers).ClassroomnumberswillsettledowntoexactIiguresaftertheweekofLaborDay.

Middle‐5thgradersaregettingadjustedtothenewbuildingwhilethe6thand7thgradersfeelgoodaboutlearning.Theschoolisquietanddifferentthanlastyear.

  HighSchool‐excellentpresentationsondigitallearninginthegym,classroomprotocolinthehomerooms,texting/drivingbythehighwaypatrolandMs.WardcoveredacademicstatisticsalongwiththeGoldenRule!

Celebrating Accreditation Following the External Review, the Team submitted the final report to AdvancED for review and for action by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission, which conferred accreditation upon the Gates County Public Schools. We should share our achievement with internal and external communities.

  4 year cohort State 2013 Graduation Rate 82.5% -Gates County High School rate 91.4%

  5 year cohort State 2013 Graduation Rate 83.1% -Gates County High School rate 88.8%