AUGUST 27, 2009 ISSUE
Wilkes County Schools Pilot Project Underway
Project Saves Teaching Positions and Almost $1 Million
Wilkes County Schools opened with a new schedule that saves teaching positions and money this week. In a unique pilot project that needed the North Carolina General Assembly’s approval, students in Wilkes County will attend class 162 days this school year instead of the state mandated 180 days. Under the plan, students attend class 45 minutes more each day.
Like all school systems in the state, the depressed economy worried the leaders of Wilkes County Schools early in the year and according to Superintendent Dr. Steve Laws, the dismal economic news and the prospect of dramatically reduced state funding inspired his team of principals and school board to take action.
“Personally, I just couldn’t entertain the thought of laying off teachers in this economy. They wouldn’t be able to find work and our children would suffer the most as the consequence,” said Laws. “Our team of principals and board of directors agreed and we went to work to solve the anticipated funding problem.”
“What’s sacred about 180 days?” Laws asked. “In college, do you learn more in Monday- Wednesday-Friday classes than you do in Tuesday-Thursday classes, which are longer?”
The pilot project is not modeled after another system anywhere; it’s the creation of Wilkes County Schools. Laws said that although there may be other systems in the country following a similar solution, the idea first came from Wilkes County High School Principal Steve Moree. “He brought me a concept of attending school longer each day with a shorter work week. Although his idea had merit, I rejected it at first, but at some point you must face the reality of the whole picture, the resources available, time, educational goals and how best to manage it all.”
Having visited six of the county schools Monday, Laws said that he couldn’t be happier. “The support for the project is overwhelming, the community, parents, teachers, and board have been wonderful. I feel blessed.” The five-person Wilkes County School board includes three retired principals.
Laws freely admitted that for some, especially teaching assistants who now work nine months instead of 10, cafeteria workers, bus drivers and other hourly employees, the plan has financial consequences. The pilot project saves 30 teaching positions.
“After developing the plan, we invited North Carolina Sen. Steve Goss to visit with us. We needed the General Assembly’s approval to implement the new schedule. Obviously believing, like us, the plan would work, Goss stood side-by side with us in Raleigh and because of his efforts, we received the go ahead to proceed,” said Laws.
The superintendent is aware that all eyes will be upon the system and he alluded to welcoming the scrutiny. North Carolina’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, June Atkinson, has planned a visit to witness the program firsthand on September 18. In addition, Dr. David Shellman, professor of education at Gardener-Webb University, will be leading an assessment team throughout the school year.
The dictionary describes education as “the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.”
It appears that by reasoning through an economic problem, the leaders of Wilkes County Schools have made a mature judgment that in the end hopefully benefits the county’s children the most.
Community Interest
News & Notes
Events
Arts & Entertainment
