You the man btango. lol. Guess you shot down my idea about Ridgecrest. Just hate to see a nice facility like that siting empty. Magnet school. Not sure if I agree with the idea of having one, since I'm not to familiar about the workings of one. More advanced courses. Is that about it. What is at North Albemarle. I know it's being used just don't know what's in it. Early college? Why haven't we redistricted before now. Poole, Poole, Poole. Now that's he's gone , let's do it. Redistrict, Redistrict, Redistrict. etc., etc., etc!!!!!!!!!!!!
Breaking News!!
- Thread starter Buddy Rich
- Start date
Poole doesn't have to be in office for him to influence those folks, Buddy. Known him and his like for years and he only wants to have power and hide behind others when attacked. The powers in that county need to show some guts and just tell Poole that he's a thing of the past. Most of the folks think Poole is the second coming of Billy Graham so everyone listens to his Foghorn Leghorn wolf calls.
By the way welcome to the board Forever. Think I'm going to enjoy your posting. If we just redistrict the right way I think Mr Poole will just go away. That's the pet thing he has fought against for years.
I have not posted in awhile but have been watching the issue with the schools closely. In the end the BOE needs to redistrict. I have said this before and I stand by my all of my comments that I have stated previously. The west side of the county needs their lines adjusted. This would add somewhere near 100 kids to AHS and I believe around 50 to SSHS. There is absolutely no reason that this has not already been done. The BOE is all about closing 2 schools and opening a magnet which will remove more students from our traditional schools but seems reluctant in doing anything that might upset anybody from NS or WS.
The redistricting will solve the student population issue for the most part. Now in regards to the schools and their performance every position from the top to the teachers needs to be evaluated. That's ultimately where our performance or lack there of begins. You can put in all AP classes but if you have bad administration or teachers that don't know how to manage kids and teach then you are still not going to perform well. Basically you can polish a turd but it's still a turd.
In the end there is a lot of smoke screening going on and lack of transparency. This board for the sake of the kids needs to come out and say all schools will remain open next year as we evaluate our options.
Additionally the BOE needs to support the 4 HS without bias get the redistricting done and begin focusing their efforts on the tax referrrendum so we can get some additional funding for the schools. They also need to have a plan in place for the additional funds and have a wide open transparency with the people of Stanly county. Begin uniting the people of this county by majority and we will start accomplishing great things. Failure is not an option when it comes to the kids. So we need to all get on the same page and start working for that and keep the immature high school antics out of BOE issues.
I don't care if you are from WSHS SSHS AHS or NSHS the bias needs to be totally removed for us to be successful. Currently there is too much drama for us to be successful.
I want to be perfectly clear, there should NOT have been any plan laid out that did not have the proper research already completed. Maybe that's why our schools are behind because we want to put forth half ***ed efforts and expect to be successful. In the business world if you come out with a proposed budget and you have not done your research to support that plan you are laughed out the door. Not only do we have people upset that these plans are not supported but offended people are asking questions. Pay attention to the details and always cross your T's and dot your I's
The redistricting will solve the student population issue for the most part. Now in regards to the schools and their performance every position from the top to the teachers needs to be evaluated. That's ultimately where our performance or lack there of begins. You can put in all AP classes but if you have bad administration or teachers that don't know how to manage kids and teach then you are still not going to perform well. Basically you can polish a turd but it's still a turd.
In the end there is a lot of smoke screening going on and lack of transparency. This board for the sake of the kids needs to come out and say all schools will remain open next year as we evaluate our options.
Additionally the BOE needs to support the 4 HS without bias get the redistricting done and begin focusing their efforts on the tax referrrendum so we can get some additional funding for the schools. They also need to have a plan in place for the additional funds and have a wide open transparency with the people of Stanly county. Begin uniting the people of this county by majority and we will start accomplishing great things. Failure is not an option when it comes to the kids. So we need to all get on the same page and start working for that and keep the immature high school antics out of BOE issues.
I don't care if you are from WSHS SSHS AHS or NSHS the bias needs to be totally removed for us to be successful. Currently there is too much drama for us to be successful.
I want to be perfectly clear, there should NOT have been any plan laid out that did not have the proper research already completed. Maybe that's why our schools are behind because we want to put forth half ***ed efforts and expect to be successful. In the business world if you come out with a proposed budget and you have not done your research to support that plan you are laughed out the door. Not only do we have people upset that these plans are not supported but offended people are asking questions. Pay attention to the details and always cross your T's and dot your I's
Good points bulldognation 2014. Good luck with things in Stanley Co
I am curious to see the reaction of the people when they new district lines are shown. You think it is bad now, it will be worse because you will see students from WSMS and WSHS being shifted. Students from Locust shifted.
I think North district lines are probably fine for now. They close to Albemarle but not that far from North and they are not as near capacity.
I am hearing everyone screaming "save our schools" but I do not think we can keep them all open if enrollment continues to dwindle in the Albemarle and South districts. If the districts are not redrawn schools and the enrollments drop school will have to close eventually. If two counties that are approximately the same geographical size, have approximately the same number of students, and have the same budgets, but one system has 19 schools (Stanly) and one has 14 (Richmond) the basic fundamentals of budgeting and math are going to come into play. I do not think we need to drop the number of schools right now but compared to other counties it appears Stanly has an abundance of schools. There should be no overcapacity schools and there should be no modulars in use. Do not scream about modulars when simple redistricting would alleviate that.
I think North district lines are probably fine for now. They close to Albemarle but not that far from North and they are not as near capacity.
I am hearing everyone screaming "save our schools" but I do not think we can keep them all open if enrollment continues to dwindle in the Albemarle and South districts. If the districts are not redrawn schools and the enrollments drop school will have to close eventually. If two counties that are approximately the same geographical size, have approximately the same number of students, and have the same budgets, but one system has 19 schools (Stanly) and one has 14 (Richmond) the basic fundamentals of budgeting and math are going to come into play. I do not think we need to drop the number of schools right now but compared to other counties it appears Stanly has an abundance of schools. There should be no overcapacity schools and there should be no modulars in use. Do not scream about modulars when simple redistricting would alleviate that.
Btango Here is my personal opinion on how the schools should be laid out.
Albemarle
2 Elem
1 middle school
1 HS
SSHS
2 Elem (Oakboro should stay due to the excellent EC program)
1 Middle
1 HS
NSHS
2 Elem
1 Middle
1 HS
WSHS
3 Elem
1 middle
1 HS
*** Determine capacity at the Elementary to see if this is possible target of 85% capacity
Additionally redistrict the lines to make more especially the west side which in the end should save $$ on transportation cost.
Funding: Comm and BOE come together for a one time funding and to agree on a tax increase for the schools only which should increase our funding by 1.1 million is the figure I believe I seen. You would also have a savings from not having 3 of the elem. allowing us to put forth more funding towards our elem first then build up to the HS.
Staff: have an outside 3rd party come in and do some research and performance reviews from top to bottom. Allow us to determine where our teachers need to get stronger as well as administration. We want the best!!!
All research and studies should be performed to tweak a plan like this to make sure it is beneficial and we won't be over crowding our elem. Schools. Additionally the magnet school should be taken off the table permantly. If that's what we want there is GS lol.
Albemarle
2 Elem
1 middle school
1 HS
SSHS
2 Elem (Oakboro should stay due to the excellent EC program)
1 Middle
1 HS
NSHS
2 Elem
1 Middle
1 HS
WSHS
3 Elem
1 middle
1 HS
*** Determine capacity at the Elementary to see if this is possible target of 85% capacity
Additionally redistrict the lines to make more especially the west side which in the end should save $$ on transportation cost.
Funding: Comm and BOE come together for a one time funding and to agree on a tax increase for the schools only which should increase our funding by 1.1 million is the figure I believe I seen. You would also have a savings from not having 3 of the elem. allowing us to put forth more funding towards our elem first then build up to the HS.
Staff: have an outside 3rd party come in and do some research and performance reviews from top to bottom. Allow us to determine where our teachers need to get stronger as well as administration. We want the best!!!
All research and studies should be performed to tweak a plan like this to make sure it is beneficial and we won't be over crowding our elem. Schools. Additionally the magnet school should be taken off the table permantly. If that's what we want there is GS lol.
I'm not trying to throw any grease on the fire, but will Stanly County support a tax referendum? That county of yours is conservative and very anti-tax. Ole Foghorn Leghorn himself named Poole is talking out both sides of his mouth about a tax increase. He says he's not against a tax increase but he's never asked for a tax increase because he knows in his heart that once the money is in, it can be used in any form or fashion that's needed. I bet a dollar to a doughnut that Melvin won't support a tax referendum. I betcha he'd love for a referendum to reach the ballot so he can then get out his bull horn to explain why he can't in good conscience support it.
I hope some redistricting will happen. If it wasn't for the draconian Plan A or Plan B no one would have the guts to stand up to Poole, Burr and their like to even suggest a redistricting plan. I'm glad that the plans were put on the table just to hear Melvin start stuttering and backtracking his nonsense. He should wrap some rags soaked in kerosene so the ants won't eat the candy off his ____.
That argument about what a boon to the local economy to have these community schools doesn't look that good to me. If community schools are so good, and since Stanly has all of these community schools, I'm a wondering why the Stanly County economy isn't booming right now. Ya'll aren't getting many people flocking to your county for business or education. It's sad because at one time ya'll had some of the best schools in the area.
I hope some redistricting will happen. If it wasn't for the draconian Plan A or Plan B no one would have the guts to stand up to Poole, Burr and their like to even suggest a redistricting plan. I'm glad that the plans were put on the table just to hear Melvin start stuttering and backtracking his nonsense. He should wrap some rags soaked in kerosene so the ants won't eat the candy off his ____.
That argument about what a boon to the local economy to have these community schools doesn't look that good to me. If community schools are so good, and since Stanly has all of these community schools, I'm a wondering why the Stanly County economy isn't booming right now. Ya'll aren't getting many people flocking to your county for business or education. It's sad because at one time ya'll had some of the best schools in the area.
Being a conservative has nothing to do whether you support tax increases or not. I am a conservative and I have no issue with tax increases most conservatives don't. What we typically don't like is wasteful spending that accomplishes nothing to the set goal. We like transparency and to know where the money is going. I'm not ending here to get into the political side I could care less about it. But my kids are in this school system so it's important to me that they get this right. All I see is some immature HS antics but yet nobody has accomplished anything.
I have heard a lot of commending of this board putting out plan A and plan B, but honestly why should they be commended? They simply put together a half ***ed plan with no research and really had a negative impact on our kids.
If you want to do something and be successful at it you must put all options on the table without bias and the coin good of ALL kids in our schools and not just the well off kids or the west stanly kids etc. Your number one priority is academics and to provide ALL available resources to making sure our kids have all the tools necessary to be successful. The way these plans were presented and put together shows exactly why our schools are failing. It's indicative of the leadership in our schools and county. We as leaders need to set the example and lead by example. If we cannot be diligent in the way we handle important issues such as school closings and our kids academics how can we expect our kids to be successful?
To my knowledge there was one athletics team in the whole county that received the Team Scholar award last year and that was Albemarles Girls Varsity Basketball, they also should get it again this year.
Yes there needs to be something done redistricting is needed. Coaches pay needs to be increased back to where it was as they are an important part to a kids education.
Funny story quickly I seen where one BOE member maybe was upset that Burr was doing what he was with the bills saying politics shouldn't be involved in the BOE. LOL really from what I can see it's already there. I have not heard one thing negative about west or North. IMHO AHS and SSHS are two of the better schools in the county, not perfect, but better.
I have heard a lot of commending of this board putting out plan A and plan B, but honestly why should they be commended? They simply put together a half ***ed plan with no research and really had a negative impact on our kids.
If you want to do something and be successful at it you must put all options on the table without bias and the coin good of ALL kids in our schools and not just the well off kids or the west stanly kids etc. Your number one priority is academics and to provide ALL available resources to making sure our kids have all the tools necessary to be successful. The way these plans were presented and put together shows exactly why our schools are failing. It's indicative of the leadership in our schools and county. We as leaders need to set the example and lead by example. If we cannot be diligent in the way we handle important issues such as school closings and our kids academics how can we expect our kids to be successful?
To my knowledge there was one athletics team in the whole county that received the Team Scholar award last year and that was Albemarles Girls Varsity Basketball, they also should get it again this year.
Yes there needs to be something done redistricting is needed. Coaches pay needs to be increased back to where it was as they are an important part to a kids education.
Funny story quickly I seen where one BOE member maybe was upset that Burr was doing what he was with the bills saying politics shouldn't be involved in the BOE. LOL really from what I can see it's already there. I have not heard one thing negative about west or North. IMHO AHS and SSHS are two of the better schools in the county, not perfect, but better.
In regards to a booming economy. School systems are only a part of that. I would challenge you to look at successful school districts outside of NC and community schools are still a great way to attract in business. You know as well as I do that businesses will decide to come in based upon the attraction to the package offered, accessibility and cost to do business. Unfortunately we are very close to SC which is cheaper to live and more business friendly. This is a blue collar area which needs more industry in. A manufacturing plant would do great here.
We won't let history define our future. Our actions will do the talking. Our determination will turn doubters n2 believers –Andrew McCutchen
Last time I checked, Plan A and Plan B were merely proposals. The Board knew that the status quo wasn't working, so they presented two proposals. I don't have any issues with the Board coming up with these plans. I don't agree with either plan, but I respect the members for placing them on the table. It's past time to make some changes. Heck if the Board is able to redistrict in lieu of these plans a lot of people win.
I think you'll be surprised if this referendum for a tax increase is on the ballot. It may pass, it may not. It's far from a certainty. Many seniors living on social security and don't have kids in the public systems probably won't jump on board. Families with kids in the private schools and in charter schools don't have a lot of interest in seeing a tax increase. The folks in the western and northern part of the county might not be too keen on a sales increase. Like you said, no one wants to believe any of their money is going to wasteful spending.
Albemarle Senior High was at one time one of the best schools in the Piedmont and it should to this day be one of the best schools. It isn't right now, but it has the potential to be back on top. I'd like for the school to remain open.
I think you'll be surprised if this referendum for a tax increase is on the ballot. It may pass, it may not. It's far from a certainty. Many seniors living on social security and don't have kids in the public systems probably won't jump on board. Families with kids in the private schools and in charter schools don't have a lot of interest in seeing a tax increase. The folks in the western and northern part of the county might not be too keen on a sales increase. Like you said, no one wants to believe any of their money is going to wasteful spending.
Albemarle Senior High was at one time one of the best schools in the Piedmont and it should to this day be one of the best schools. It isn't right now, but it has the potential to be back on top. I'd like for the school to remain open.
1. Use of public funds and effects on school districts: A Western Michigan University study (1998) concluded that "charter schools may not be living up to their promise of educational innovation and more effective use of public money” (Noll, 2005, p. 227). An extensive UCLA study of California charter schools (1998) in ten school districts found “no evidence that charter schools can do more with less” (Noll, 2005. p. 226). Marc Bernstein, a New York school district superintendent, explains that when money is taken from public school districts for the operation of charter and magnet schools, “there are but two choices: raise taxes or reduce programming. Either choice has serious consequences for public education” (Noll, 2005, p. 228).
And yet NC keeps approving more and more charter schools and everybody still thinks magnets are a good idea. I have a great idea. Charters are private schools take the funding NC gives these charters and out it back into the public high schools instead of cutting public funding.
I agree with your point, except that I'd add the word "good" in front of "community schools". A good community school is Utopia to me, much like when The Intimidator won his 7th Cup championship to tie the King. I wouldn't call today's community schools in Stanly County as being good. Teachers in the school system have confided in me throughout the years that many barriers have caused the schools to drop down to average and even below average. Most will tell you that the parents and school administrators are the cause of their grief. A parent can just pick up the old telephone or go to the school office and scream until they turn blue that Ms. Moneypenny gave their kid an F because Ms. Moneypenny didn't teach their kid well. If you have good community schools, you will be fine.
No need to argue with me bud. I agree, but I just take a different approach than you.
That's correct. Honestly the teachers here in stanly county atleast the ones that I have dealt with on a personal level do not communicate well with parents. My kids attended a blue ribbon school prior to attending these schools and it's a different world. The previous school had contact info of all parents and communicated with them atleast weekly. If the kid was having an issue picking up on a certain item we were made aware if a kid did well we were made aware etc. We always knew 100% what was going on. Excellence was a expectation not a goal. I will note that this was a poor school district comparably speaking. Additionally reading and math were the main focuses early on as well. Here I have to ask a lot with what is going on at school.
I personally love Albemarle, the kids at Albemarle and even those surrounding. We as a community and leaders can do better and must. We must do anything and everything to support our kids and make this a better community for our kids. Get the drama and bs out of our schools and start looking to better them.
I truly believe this board MUST come out at the next board meeting and say we are keeping our 4 county HS but we will be redistricting. No more kids in mobile units. Additionally, they must come out and quit the no comment bull crap. You have the community's attention now be productive with it. Get people involved. Do your studies and like I said previously 2 elem 1 middle and 1 hs per school system (AHS, SSHS, WSHS, NSHS). Get rid of the mobile units and with the money saved don't spend 1/2 a million dollars on a stem let's add programs invest in arts and look to raise teachers salaries so we can compete and get better teachers in and keep our good teachers who love our kids and are willing to go the extra mile to make that happen. That is when you will see our school report cards show success
I personally love Albemarle, the kids at Albemarle and even those surrounding. We as a community and leaders can do better and must. We must do anything and everything to support our kids and make this a better community for our kids. Get the drama and bs out of our schools and start looking to better them.
I truly believe this board MUST come out at the next board meeting and say we are keeping our 4 county HS but we will be redistricting. No more kids in mobile units. Additionally, they must come out and quit the no comment bull crap. You have the community's attention now be productive with it. Get people involved. Do your studies and like I said previously 2 elem 1 middle and 1 hs per school system (AHS, SSHS, WSHS, NSHS). Get rid of the mobile units and with the money saved don't spend 1/2 a million dollars on a stem let's add programs invest in arts and look to raise teachers salaries so we can compete and get better teachers in and keep our good teachers who love our kids and are willing to go the extra mile to make that happen. That is when you will see our school report cards show success
I commend the BOE for putting out Plan A and Plan B. Was it well thought out, were the plans really feasible? No. Did it cause fear and angst? Absolutely and from what I have seen some people do not react until it is too late. In this case the idea of Plan A and B may be what saves our community schools for a longer period. It got people in action, thinking, talking, researching, communicating, et al.
Do not forget the current BOE has may be one member that was there about four or five years ago. Blame leadership of the BOE but that is a new board. Do not forget there have been at least two outside entities do a review of the district lines and they have never been acted on. I think there has been a total of four over the last 18 years and very little changes have happened.
I think this board should have pushed the redistricting but that would have been fought just as Plan A and B have been. Now seeing what could be, we are seeing people support redistricting that a few years ago could have cared less. The west Stanly contingent will fight redistricting of the middle school and high school students tooth n nail. I feel confident the support for keeping open AHS, EAMS, SSHS, and NES will not be as fervent from that area if it requires redrawing the lines.
Do not forget the current BOE has may be one member that was there about four or five years ago. Blame leadership of the BOE but that is a new board. Do not forget there have been at least two outside entities do a review of the district lines and they have never been acted on. I think there has been a total of four over the last 18 years and very little changes have happened.
I think this board should have pushed the redistricting but that would have been fought just as Plan A and B have been. Now seeing what could be, we are seeing people support redistricting that a few years ago could have cared less. The west Stanly contingent will fight redistricting of the middle school and high school students tooth n nail. I feel confident the support for keeping open AHS, EAMS, SSHS, and NES will not be as fervent from that area if it requires redrawing the lines.
btango you seem to know the area well. Will the people support a tax increase referendum? You are a bright guy so tell me your thoughts.
My wife is a former school board member of another county. She knows this deal real well. In her opinion, plus knowing the situation that's going on, she thinks that redistricting was what the school board was going for all the time. Ask for the moon, work for a compromise, and then you will obtain your goal. It's politics, pure and simple. She knows how tense Stanly folks are about change and she thinks that the politics was myopic but the end result will be obtained.
As my daddy used to tell his Duke philosophy students, the ends justify the means. That quote was from Niccolo Machiavelli, and he learned that at Albemarle High School many many years ago.
As my daddy used to tell his Duke philosophy students, the ends justify the means. That quote was from Niccolo Machiavelli, and he learned that at Albemarle High School many many years ago.
Your wife is a smart lady, Forever, and I think she's right. In the end we will have redistricting. Now my question to you or btango is how do you draw the new lines. I would think that Albemarle and SS would have the biggest gain in students. Correct.
Sending the Endy kids to Albemarle would be my first suggestion. I think Endy has an Albemarle address, so start with them to alleviate future overcrowding at West Stanly. Seems like the fair thing to do. As far as South Stanly, I don't know really what to do. That's where we would need to be creative.
Ok the school board is asking the county commissioners for 2.2 million more than last year in their new budget. A new sales tax would only generate roughly half that. Looks like it's coming down to money like everything else in this world.
First time using the quote machine with the new boards.
I wrote from the beginning that I thought part of it was to see the reaction and then come back with we need more money and I truly believe that. I do not think the BOE could have ever thought that Plan A and B would become reality. I think they thought some educational items they wanted would be incorporated. There are some smart people on that board. I am waiting to see what Mr. Barbee's reaction is when they go for the redistricting. Same with Mr. Burleson on the BOC.
I think there needs to be a line drawn somewhere east of Endy school that would send those students to AMS and AHS. I do not think the students to the west of Endy should go to Albemarle. Some of their students live closer to Oakboro than they do Endy. If you look at it logistically and geographically Endy was the school that should have been shut and not Ridgecrest. Central could have sent some students to East Albemarle with some Endy students replacing them. Other Endy students could have been districted to Oakboro and Ridgecrest. Locust would not be fighting over capacity now. Looking at enrollments three elementaries in western Stanly would have probably worked which is what they are pushing for now but I think geographically Oakboro is the wrong one to close.
South Stanly is the tough one! You cannot take students from Albemarle as they are low on numbers and students already travel farther to South than they would AHS or AMS. The lines South shares with North and West are not very heavily populated so I do not see much difference but I do think students should go to the school nearest their residence unless the school nearest to them physically may not be as simple or fast to get to.
The quote machine does not work every time.
Forever I have no idea on the vote. I think a sales tax may pass but I knew and understood the previous tax and thought it should pass. I spoke to people in EMS, fire, and law enforcement and they said the state system does not get the job done in Stanly. I have had a few people who are Republicans and Burr supporters who are pissed that he has spoke out so against it. I understood the school part of it also. A lot of people are not going to vote on something for the schools because they do not have children in school or do not agree with certain aspects of the system.
I think passing any tax bill will be tough but a sales tax bill has a 50/50 chance and I think it passes after recent happenings. A property tax bill will not pass and I am not sure I would support that but I would support a sales tax bill. I do not live in Stanly County but do have real estate holdings there and do support the schools. Many people are against property tax increases because they see it as another hit to the middle class.
Forever I have no idea on the vote. I think a sales tax may pass but I knew and understood the previous tax and thought it should pass. I spoke to people in EMS, fire, and law enforcement and they said the state system does not get the job done in Stanly. I have had a few people who are Republicans and Burr supporters who are pissed that he has spoke out so against it. I understood the school part of it also. A lot of people are not going to vote on something for the schools because they do not have children in school or do not agree with certain aspects of the system.
I think passing any tax bill will be tough but a sales tax bill has a 50/50 chance and I think it passes after recent happenings. A property tax bill will not pass and I am not sure I would support that but I would support a sales tax bill. I do not live in Stanly County but do have real estate holdings there and do support the schools. Many people are against property tax increases because they see it as another hit to the middle class.
The wife is laughing about the public outcry towards the school board. The conspiracy theories, the hidden agendas, and all of the other proverbial nonsense. The school board will do what they think is the right thing to do. The members of the board are playing poker and some of the members are playing poker with fellow members of the board.
Albemarle won't close and nor should it. You can't promote your county well enough without a high school in the county seat. The board knows that. These plans are very strong leverage to make the County Commissioners decide what to do. Again and again it's not acceptable to keep the status quo. The Commissioners have a funding issue because of what's going on in Raleigh. While Burr is promoting his own agenda such as portraits of G.W., we've got schools throughout the state that are underfunded and Burr and the like just want to blame someone else. Burr and Poole epitomizes the problems with our schools and with our state with self serving initiatives and not fighting for what's right.
Albemarle won't close and nor should it. You can't promote your county well enough without a high school in the county seat. The board knows that. These plans are very strong leverage to make the County Commissioners decide what to do. Again and again it's not acceptable to keep the status quo. The Commissioners have a funding issue because of what's going on in Raleigh. While Burr is promoting his own agenda such as portraits of G.W., we've got schools throughout the state that are underfunded and Burr and the like just want to blame someone else. Burr and Poole epitomizes the problems with our schools and with our state with self serving initiatives and not fighting for what's right.
Like I said in the past, Albemarle will not close. As far a the political agenda goes.....50% of the people who go out and vote only have a high school education. Here in Stanly County that number is probably a "Staggering" 75% due to this county being a mill town that didn't require and education. So I personally can't get mad a Burr because I didn't vote for him, and I don't vote for people based only off of "Status Quo"....
sway, I have written this before. Burr and the people from western Stanly are supportive of the South Albemarle group right now because it works for their agenda. When redistricting becomes the hot topic they will see East and AHS as expendable and will not want to see students that have been West/Endy district students switched to Albemarle. Burr will support that group which will be led by Poole. Their students staying "home" will trump other community schools.
I agree and you are seeing the future as clearly as Dale Earnhardt could see air. Poole and Burr are one in the same. Like a chameleon, you will see both men change their colors and abandon South Albemarle. Both men believe in supporting certain people and not all of the citizens of Stanly County. Politics that is self serving are the politics that destroy communities. Burr should just mind his own business and stay in Raleigh. He reminds me of Geoff Bodine and how I loved seeing the Man in Black slam him on the track.
The other deal is that many are worth gambling on a tax referendum that may or may not pass. Besides being an anti-tax county you will also see factions within the county working behind the scenes to have that referendum fail. If this referendum fails and like btango I think the chances are 50/50, you will see this whole debacle revisited in two years and during these two years you will see little improvement.
What a mess! I'm sure when the school board brought these plans forward they probably knew it would bring a lot of contravasity from the people and that may have been their plan all along. OK so now what do they do about it. They are in a catch 22 situation. Damn if they do and damn if they don't. I feel sorry for them but they do have a job to do. They WILL NOT please everybody and I think that is the primise that they will take. If they do nothing then the problem will only fester and be waiting for the next school board down the road. I wish them well and only hope they make the right decision for the majority of the kids. Good Luck.
AHS hit 691 in 2004 which is the most they have had since 2000.
The school does not need to hit its peak again but it does need to get closer to 600 and sustain that. Many think West Stanly will hit 1,200 students within ten years if the current district lines are left in place. I am not sure if it will do that in ten years but I do expect them to go 1,000 before ten years. Will Albemarle and South grow? I can see Albemarle may be growing some but South very little. If do not think there should be any money set aside for adding on or building new facilities due to capacity issues until redistricting is completed.
The school does not need to hit its peak again but it does need to get closer to 600 and sustain that. Many think West Stanly will hit 1,200 students within ten years if the current district lines are left in place. I am not sure if it will do that in ten years but I do expect them to go 1,000 before ten years. Will Albemarle and South grow? I can see Albemarle may be growing some but South very little. If do not think there should be any money set aside for adding on or building new facilities due to capacity issues until redistricting is completed.
Johnny is a good guy. Always has been. Always a big supporter of his children and the schools they attend or that he attended. I am glad to see the fragmented groups of community school supporters start to move in the direction of having a front person and doing some research. As I wrote Plan A and B may be the thing that saves community schools because without change I do not think Stanly County can sustain the number of schools they have long term.
Here is an example, Orange County (Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough) has three times the students that Stanly County has. They have 30 schools to Stanly County's 19. I think each has a school for students with issues and the early college program which I am not counting nor is Greystone included.
Richmond County has right at the same number of students as Stanly and is 76 square miles larger. Richmond has 13 schools which includes seven elementaries, four (corrected) middle schools, the ninth grade academy, and the senior high school. They also have an early college program and a couple of alternative schools. Richmond is very community oriented like Stanly but the big difference there is one high school and the freshman academy. In apples to apples comparison they would have 15 schools if they dropped the ninth grade academy and had four high schools but the county is not geographically suitable for four high schools as a majority of the population are in Hamlet and Rockingham. Richmond has right at the same number of students as Stanly and is 76 square miles larger.
Last edited:
btango just hit a homer with his last comment. 19 public schools in a county that's got about 60,000 people. The County Commissioners can't print money for the School Board and the NC legislature sure isn't loosening up the purse strings any time soon. Ya'll got some issues with money. School systems are kind a like balloons in the way that you can only stretch things out so far until it bursts. Schools within the state are more efficient now than they were 10 years ago because having to do more with less has been the culture. All of those charter schools aren't helping the matter either. Taking the cap off the number of charter schools within the state and reduced funding of the state has caused problems for all counties, but most notably counties that are more rural such as Stanly.
Like Buddy Rich stated the School Board is in a no win situation. If revenues given to the school has been reduced, you got to cut back. Schools systems all over the state have cut a lot of teacher assistants out of the classroom. Some programs have been cut. Parents react because little Johnny can't get special consideration so they yank little Johnny out of the school and put him in a charter or private school. The said parent doesn't blame the funding, the parent blames little Johnny's teacher. Doesn't matter that the teacher no longer has a teacher assistant nor that the classroom has more kids in it. Doesn't matter that the teacher has to spend money out one's own pocket so the kids can have supplies. No, the parent blames the teacher. What the school board has done is taken some heat for coming up with a plan, one of which like a good magician, look at my left hand so you don't see what I'm doing with my right hand. Final deal will be a redistricting plan.
What we haven't seen much across the state is redistricting. As soon as you say redistricting, the evilness comes out of people. Some of the most backwards reasons made by the parents will make you cringe. My wife was involved in a redistricting that split church congregations, communities, and even families. So they blame the big bad brother, the school board, and they don't have the time to listen because they know everything.
I think the days of Albemarle having 600+ kids are over unless you can set up a magnet to attract kids within the county over to Albemarle. With South Stanly I don't see that school having more than 500 kids anytime soon. Over at West Stanly I see an increase of students which would make me think that redistricting those kids in the Endy school district to Albemarle makes sense.
Like Buddy Rich stated the School Board is in a no win situation. If revenues given to the school has been reduced, you got to cut back. Schools systems all over the state have cut a lot of teacher assistants out of the classroom. Some programs have been cut. Parents react because little Johnny can't get special consideration so they yank little Johnny out of the school and put him in a charter or private school. The said parent doesn't blame the funding, the parent blames little Johnny's teacher. Doesn't matter that the teacher no longer has a teacher assistant nor that the classroom has more kids in it. Doesn't matter that the teacher has to spend money out one's own pocket so the kids can have supplies. No, the parent blames the teacher. What the school board has done is taken some heat for coming up with a plan, one of which like a good magician, look at my left hand so you don't see what I'm doing with my right hand. Final deal will be a redistricting plan.
What we haven't seen much across the state is redistricting. As soon as you say redistricting, the evilness comes out of people. Some of the most backwards reasons made by the parents will make you cringe. My wife was involved in a redistricting that split church congregations, communities, and even families. So they blame the big bad brother, the school board, and they don't have the time to listen because they know everything.
I think the days of Albemarle having 600+ kids are over unless you can set up a magnet to attract kids within the county over to Albemarle. With South Stanly I don't see that school having more than 500 kids anytime soon. Over at West Stanly I see an increase of students which would make me think that redistricting those kids in the Endy school district to Albemarle makes sense.
If they close Albemarle an South Stanly that would make West Stanly a midsize to Large 3A or a small 4A an North Stanly a large 2A or small 3A with the athletes that West an North would pick up if the closure goes thru as it looks like will happen would these to schools have a chance at being competitive it which ever perspective conferences they would be placed in what's ur thoughts on this btango an Buddy Rich
Stanly County has a little over 2,300 high school students in the four schools. That is 575 per school if they are evened out enrollment wise but you cannot wave a magic wand with redistricting and make that workout perfectly.
If Albemarle and South closed I would think North Stanly would get the majority of the students. Lets be realistic, I do not see Albemarle and South closing. In five years we may see a push to close a high school because the logistics of redistricting can only do so much.
As far as competing, it would depend on what students went where really. There is a big jump in competition from 3A to 4A. I would think that the schools would end up being 3A schools although West would possibly end up 4A eventually. Any school can be competitive, it takes the admin supporting a quality coach and the athletes/community buying in. Perfect example, Blair Hardin at Porter Ridge playing for state title in small 4A. Weddington and Cuthbertson playing for the regional title in big 3A.
If Albemarle and South closed I would think North Stanly would get the majority of the students. Lets be realistic, I do not see Albemarle and South closing. In five years we may see a push to close a high school because the logistics of redistricting can only do so much.
As far as competing, it would depend on what students went where really. There is a big jump in competition from 3A to 4A. I would think that the schools would end up being 3A schools although West would possibly end up 4A eventually. Any school can be competitive, it takes the admin supporting a quality coach and the athletes/community buying in. Perfect example, Blair Hardin at Porter Ridge playing for state title in small 4A. Weddington and Cuthbertson playing for the regional title in big 3A.
Have to agree with btango on this. I don't see them closing Albemarle and South at this time, but down the road without growth in these 2 areas they may be forced to close either one or both. Without growth I really don't see the need for 4 high schools. JMO.