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NEWS/tEte Cinlottc $iit
Thursday, April 6, 2006
PAIR OF CAMPUSES THREATENED WITH CLOSURE
Durham superintendent, board blamed for schools
By Bob Johnson
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DURHAM - The Durham
School Board and
Superintendent Ann
Denlinger are beir^ blamed
for the failure of two schools a
state judge has threatened to
dose.
State Superior Court Judge
Howard E. Manning Jr. sent
a letter to State
Superintendent June
Atkinson and State Board
Chairman Howard Lee on
March 3
threatening to
~ dose predomi-
nantly black
Hillside and
Southern high
schools.
Both schools
Manning are failing to
make ade
quate yearly progress. Forty-
seven percent of Hillside stu
dents passed End of Grade
tests and 54 percent of
Southern.
Mannir^s letter states that
if both schools fail to improve
their scores to at least 55 per
cent by the end of this school
year, the}' ‘Svill not be allowed
to open in the fall of 2056”
unless there is a change in
management and a vahd
improvement plan.
Studies have shown that
there is a strong correlation
between lack of quality teach
ers and school performance.
Hillside has no national
board certified teachers, 39
percent of its teachers are not
fully hcensed, and the
teacher turnover rate is 25
percent, according to theN.C.
School Report Card.
Similarly Southern has two
national board certified
teachers, 27 percent are not
fully hcensed, and the
turnover rate is 23 percent.
In-high schools where stu
dents performed better on
End of Grade exams, teach
ers illustrated higher qualifi
cations and longevity. For
example, Jordan High, which
scored 70 percent on End of
Grade tests', has 18 national
board certified teachers; only
11 percent are not fully
hcensed, and the turnover
rate is 12 percent.
Denlinger said that the
state has no intention of clos
ing either Hillside or
Southern, because she has
spoken with an attorney and
the letter is not a court order.
Therefore, it does not carry
the wei^t of the law.
Hank Hurd, associate
superintendent of adminis
trative services, highlighted a
plan to improve teacher qual
ity at each of the schools
through recruitment incen
tives such as a $3,000 signing
bonus for new certified teach
ers and a $2,000 bonus for all
other hcensed staff members.
But to some, this plan is too
httle, too late.
‘It’s obvious that this school
board hasn’t done anythii^ to
help om* kids. Now all of the
sudden, you come up with
great ideas,” Herman
Davenport said. “WeU, those
great ideas have caused a lot
of o\ir kids to be put out in the
streets when you could have
had these ideas in place a
long time ago.”
Board member Jackie
Wagstaff admitted that they
have been negligent and took
full responsibihty for her
part. But she said it takes a
majority of votes to make
things happen.
“This judge stated in an
article that he’s been in dia
logue for over two years with
the superintendent and the
principals of these low per
forming high schools. So, this
wasn’t something that jixst
came on h^ (Denlinger) desk
a couple of weeks ago, tiiis
was something that’s been in
her hands for at least two
years,” W^staflf said.
Wagstaff said that no one
mentioned the letter fi-om
Manning to her and business
was conducted as usual.
“This board is going to have
to do just like they said in the
(movie) Color Purple: ‘Get the
molasses out your way and
get on the stick,”’ she said.
‘You all need to start doing
your job, and you are not
doir^ it. That’s why these
kids are failing ”
E’Vonne Coleman Rorie,
who has a senior at Southern,
said “The letter is probably
an idle threat because where
would you put 3,000 stu
dents? There is nowh^e for
them to go.” StdU, she is glad
that Manning wrote the let
ter “because it puts Southern
on the fix)nt page.”
Manning said in his letter
that “The major problem with
these schools lies within the
category of school leadership,
not money”
Rita Hammond, chair of the
education committee for the
Durham Committee on the
Affairs of Black People, said
that after researching the
history of both schools, she
foimd that there has been a
disproportionately high level
of staff changes during the
current administration
Wagstaff takes the adminis
trative changes at Hillside
personally Her son went
through administrative
changes during his four years
there, and “He was not
afforded an IB diploma
because of a staff error, not
his error,” she said.
Established four years ago,
the Leandro case states that
basic constitutional rights
such as a well-trained compe
tent principal, competent and
certified teachers and ade
quate r^ources should be in
place in every classroom. But
parents are still complaining
that their children do not
have books, teachers can’t
control Iheir classrooms, and
competent principals were
unfairly removed fixim each
school.
‘Denlinger, what is your
responsibility in getting this
letter finm hh*. Manning?”
asked Karen Alexander, a
parent who has complained
about the lack of books at
Rogers Herr in the past. “I
would hke an open apology
Instead you look at me like a
blank piece of paper. If Mr.
Manning offers me a voucher
out, I want out of Durham
Public Schools.”
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS
WARDING SECTION A OF THE PROPOSED MONROE BYPASS FROM US
IWEST OF ROCKY RIVER ROAD TO US 601 SOUTH OF RIDGE ROAD
Project 8.T690401 • R-2559A • Union County
The North Carolina Department of Transportation will hold the above informal public meetings on:
April 27, 2006 from 4PM to 8PM at the Monroe Country Club,
1680 Pageland Highway, Monroe.
May 3, 2006 from 4PM to 8PM at the South Piedmont Community College,
Building A, 4209 Old Charlotte Highway, Monroe.
NCDOT is requesting that MUMPO (Mecklenburg Union Metropolitan Planning Organization)
add Section A of the Monroe Bypass to its Long-Range Transportation Plan and its Thoroughfare
Plan, The Department’s current Transportation Improvement Program includes funding for con
struction of Sections B and C of the Bypass (US 601 east to US 74 near Marshville). Section A is cur
rently scheduled for post years (after 2012) in the Transportation Improvement Program. The
three Sections provide logical termini or endpoints for the Bypass, enable the Bypass to provide
independent utility, and were studied within the original NEPA (National Environmental Poiiq' Act)
environmental document that was prepared for the project.
Because of the age of the NEPA environmental document (1997) for the iMonroe Bypass, the
Department is preparing a reevaluation of the original document. The completion of tlie NEPA
document reevaluation is needed before any portion of the Bypass can be let to contract. During
the course of the reevaluation study, it was discovered chat MUMPO’s Long-Range Transportation
Plan did not include Section A of the Bypass. The project must be on the Long-Range
Transportation Plan and the air conformit}' analysis must include Section A of the Bypass in order
for the Department to be able to complete the NEPA document reevaluacion for the Monroe
Bypass.
Again, the completion of the reevaluacion of the NEPA document as well as receipt of the envi
ronmental permits will enable the Department to move forward to construction on the funded por
tions of the Bypass. It will also better enable the Department to advance Section A of the Bypass
when funding becomes available.
Three alternative alignments for Section A will be presented for public comments at these
meetings. Interested individuals may attend these sessions at their convenience between the
above stated times and locations. Department of Transportation representatives will be available
to supply information and answer questions on an individual basis in an informal setting.
Anyone desiring additional information may contract Mr. John Conforti at 919-733-3141 or 1548
Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1548. Written comments will be received for a period of 15
days following the meetings. They should be sent to Mr. Conforti at the above address.
A map showing the potential impact area is available for review at the NCDOT District Office,
130 S. Southerland Avenue, Monroe and at the City of Monroe Planning Office • 1st Floor, 300 West
Crowell Street, Monroe. More detailed maps will be shown at the meetings.
NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services for disabled persons who wish to participate in
the meeting to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. To receive special services, please
contact Mr. Conforti at the above address or phone number or fax 919-733-9794 to provide ade
quate notice prior to the date of the meetings so that arrangements can be made.
AccUWeather.com" 7-day forecast for Charlotte, NC
Thursday
Thu. night
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
iL
Mostly sunny
Rather cloudy
Warm with sun
and clouds
Thunderstorms
possible
Mostly sunny
Partly sunny
Times of clouds
and sun
Mostly cloudy, a
KiBagiia
BUEDi
RealFeel
RealFed
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■■V.-vTirR:-?*
STIHL
The Batentad RealFeel Temperature- is Accu'/feather'sesdusive mdexoftheefl
Weather Trends This Week
id. himldrty. sunshine, preclpitatioh, and etevatior or
Temperatures
Precipitation
Esa
Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2006
Sun
Moon
Moon Phases
Set
Thursday
7:04
a.m
7:49 p.
Thursday
1:25p.m. 3-40am
First
Last
New
703
..m
7:50 p.
2;26p.m. 4:16a.m
A
Saturday
701
.m
7:51 p.
Saturday
3:25 p.m. 4:47 a m
f 1
-A
M
A.
Sunday
700
.m
7-51 p.
Sunday
4:22 p.m. 5:13 a m
1 1
1
Monday
6:69
7:52 p.
Monday
5'19p.m. 5:37a.m
^|r
Tuesday
6:57
7:53 p.
■
resday
4/5
4/13
4/20
Wednesday
6.56
m
7:54 p.
Vednesday
7:13 p.m. 6:21 am
1 Beoionai. Cities
Thursday
Saturday
Sunday
Thursday
Saturday
Sunday
City
HI
Lo
W
HI
Lo
W
HI
Lo W
Hi
Lo W City
HI
Lo W
HI
Lo W
Hi
Lo W
Hi
Lo W
Aiken, SC
76
50
83
54
pc
80
52 t
70
48 s Memphis, TN
76
63 pc
78
55 t
69
AA pr
71
54 s
Augusta, QA
80
52
84
54
pc
82
54 t
74
44 s Myrtle Beach, SC
72
52 s
78
60 pc
77
56 t
7C
53 s
Charleston, SC
75
55
84
57
pc
81
57 pc
76
54 s Norfbk, VA
63
47 s
69
54 pc
64
51 c
6C
47 s
Columbia, SC
80
53
84
55
pc
80
54 t
74
51 s Raleigh, NC
72
50 s
nn
AA fM-
72
45 t
7C
43 s
Durham, NC
71
47
80
54
pc
73
47 t
71
44 s Richmond, VA
62
43 s
75
52 pc
65
47 c
64
43 s
Greensboro, NC
70
49
79
55
pc
73
49 t
71
44 s Roanoke, VA
68
45 s
73
52 pc
70
46 c
67
42 s
Greenville, SC
70
50
79
55
pc
72
51 t
72
49 s Savannah, GA
80
53 s
84
57 pc
82
57 pc
78
54 s
Knokville, TN
70
63
t
74
54
68
48 c
72
49 s Wilmington, NC
68
50 s
81
58 pc
77
55 t
71
51 s
Lynchburg, VA
66
40
71
49
pc
68
43 c
68
40 s Winston-Salem, NC 69
46 S
76
55 pc
73
49 t
69
45 s
U.S. Crnss ■
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
city
Hi
Lo
W
Hi
Lo
W
HI
Lo W
HI
Lo W City
Hi
Lo W
HI
Lo W
HI
Lo W
HI
Lo W
Atlanta
75
55
pc
79
57
75
53 t
72
52 s Miami
65
71 pc
84
71 pc
85
73 pc
85
71 pc
Boston
56
38
54
38
r
46
36 r
47
38 s Minneapbis
56
38 r
30 sh
52
35 pc
55
36 sh
Chicago
56
46
t
54
34
sh
50
34 pc
56
38 s New Orleans
64
66 pc
62
66 t
82
63 pc
79
60 S
Cleveland
55
39
59
46
56
35 0
56
37 s New York City
58
42 s
59
44 sh
58
42 r
50
42 s
Dallas
82
58
t
80
50
72
52 s
78
58 s Orlando
64
58 s
68
62 pc
86
62 pc
88
62 pc
Denver
50
32
sh
56
34
70
40 s
66
36 pc Pittsburgh
59
43 pc
64
45 t
58
35 r
58
33 s
Detroit
54
40
56
42
50
36 pc
56
36 s Phoenix
79
56 S
83
57 s
87
59 s
85
59 8
Houston
84
68
pc
84
64
pc
80
64 s
62
64 s San Francisco
66
52 pc
62
50 r
63
50 pc
59
49 r
Kansas City
76
49
60
41
pc
62
44 pc
69
46 c Seattle
60
44 c
56
44 sh
56
42 sh
54
43 c
Los Angeles
68
52
68
52
pc
68
68
54 r Washington, DC
63
45 s
66
50 pc
59
42 c
59
43 s
1 WoRiD Cities ■
Thursday
Saturday
Sunday
Thursday
"TIT"
Saturday
Sunday
City
Hi
Lo
W
HI
Lo
W
Hi
Lo W
Hi
Lo W City
HI
Lo W
HI
Lo W
HI
Lo W
HI
Lo W
Amsterdam
4b
3/
sh
48
39
pc
46
37 pc
46
37 r Paris
52
32 s
55
36 pc
54
37 pc
52
43 c
Berlin
45
28
pc
48
34
pc
52
37 pc
55
43 c Rio de Janeiro
80
72 c
80
72 pc
83
73 c
84
72 pc
Buenos Aires
71
61
pc
72
64
pc
75
59 pc
67
55 pc Rome
66
46 pc
66
48 pc
66
46 pc
66
46 pc
Cairo
77
57
82
59
87
66 S
92
64 pc San Juan
85
73 pc
85
73 pc
85
73 s
86
73 pc
Jerusalem
56
45
pc
61
48
72
54 pc
79
59 pc Seoul
51
34 c
56
38 pc
64
39 pc
70
49 pc
Johannesburg
74
51
pc
74
51
pc
69
46 pc
64
49 pc Sydney
73
57 s
75
57 s
72
57 s
75
57 s
London
52
37
X
50
41
48
34 pc
50
36 r Tokyo
54
43 pc
54
46 pc
64
45 pc
55
52 pc
Mexico City
81
46
75
48
pc
72
47 pc
76
47 pc Toronto
48
36 pc
48
30 r
44
28 c
46
30 pc 1
Moscow
37
36
36
28
33
26 1
35
22 c Zurich
48
33 r
50
35 c
51
30 pc
43
31 r
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