Stokes County: Biggest Teacher Turnover Reason Was Local Supplement

Posted on November 17, 2014 by A.P. Dillon

Teacher pay is not just set by the state. Each county controls the supplemental pay rate teachers receive on top of that state rate.

The fights over teacher pay this past year has been to harp on the state rate. No one in the media really even mentioned the supplemental pay. That supplemental pay didn’t fit into the ‘assault on education’ narrative.

They’ve broken ranks in Stokes county:

Just to drive it home:

“Teachers leaving to teach in another school district offering a higher local salary supplement was the main reason cited for teachers leaving Stokes County.” – TheStokesNews.com

The average supplemental rate in Stokes in 2013 was $1,624.

It is worth noting DPI  conveniently stopped publishing the supplemental schedules when Republicans took control of the NCGA.

 

Related read: Hey, Remember NCAE’s ‘Member-Led’ Group? Organize 2020?

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NC Taxpayer Group Pushing Back On APUSH Changes

Posted on November 15, 2014 by A.P. Dillon

APUSH
Advanced Placement U.S. History has a new controversial and arguably Anti-American framework.  You can thank Common Core Architect and College Board President, David Coleman.

This new framework has serious conflicts with history curriculum in the states. North Carolina is no exception and in fact, the fight is heating up.

In response to an email originating from one Laura Parrott that seemingly defended the new APUSH framework.The email penned by Parrott arguably makes the argument that HB 588 (The Founding Principles Act) isn’t worth worrying about. Who cares if it’s the law?   [Read: Parrot’s email]

The Coastal Carolina Taxpayers Association care. CCTA  is pushing back on the AP U.S. History (APUSH) changes and calls out Parrott in their email.

I’ve obtained a copy of the email sent by Coastal Carolina Taxpayers Association which was sent to legislators involved with the education oversight committee, among others.  In the letter, CCTA does not mince words and calls Parrott’s fear mongering out.

CCTA’s emailed letter also calls out NC Superintendent, June Atkinson:

 Dr. Atkinson would like to combine Civics and Economics with the Founding Principles, and conclude that the spirit of the law was covered.  We believe that this is not in the best interests of our kids.  We believe it takes the entire course just to understand exactly what economic literacy is, and how the 3 branches of  government work.  Since AP is supposed to be a “college level” class, it should not be offered without prerequisite classes.   A course framework for High School that begins with 9th grade Civics and Economics; 10th Grade U.S. History I; 11th Grade U.S. History II ;  OR APUSH;  12th  Grade, World History (or AP WORLD HISTORY, which would give the student the opportunity to take 2 AP classes in Social Studies, if it is even offered?)  is logical.

In my opinion, CCTA was too gentle in their language. For me, I’d be blunt and say that Dr. Atkinson’s maneuvering on APUSH can be characterized as an attempt to skirt the law.  I think that’s a fair assessment, given Dr. Atkinson’s shoulder-shrugging response to concerns that APUSH usurps out state’s curriculum.

Dear Legislators – make this debate  on APUSH happen and go watch it.

Related Reading From LL1885 on APUSH:

Related Reading from Stop Common Core NC on APUSH:

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CCSSO President Elect Compares Common Core To Clothing

Posted on November 15, 2014 by A.P. Dillon

CCSSO President Elect and NC Superintendent doth protest too much.

It seems she believes that our kids education should be personalized  standardized .
Just like clothes.  Wait, what??

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The Left In NC Intentionally Misleading On Early Voting

Posted on November 14, 2014 by A.P. Dillon

Progress NC spin masters are so funny.  Desperately clinging to their ‘voter suppression’ meme.

 

Progress NC, you are welcome to your own opinion but not your own facts.

Oh and by the way…

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Dear Republicans: Do your job. KILL COMMON CORE.

Posted on November 14, 2014 by A.P. Dillon

Dear Republicans recently elected and those who were re-elected,

Do your job. Kill Common Core.

You effectively own this fundamentally flawed experimental and deceitful mess, now you need to clean it up.

Wake. UP.

Republican Governors, who are part of the National Governors Association and are part owners of the copyrighted Common Core, I’m talking to YOU. Common Core lost at the ballot box last week.  To borrow from Engvall ‘THERE’S YOUR SIGN!’

To our representatives and senators in Congress – stop all the hemming and hawing.

In case Congress has missed the memo, Common Core is a coup of education by unelected and unaccountable non-governmental organizations. It is beyond time that this coup be investigated and for sunshine to hit the dark under belly of this circus.

Our kids are being used for profit.

Our kids and teachers are being tracked and their data tossed from group to group.

Our kids futures are being pigeon-holed and mapped out for them before they even leave elementary school.

Our kids are being used in an experiment that was brought in by stealth and locked in by money, testing and through forced compliance in the form of Higher Education being ‘aligned’.

Don’t just stand there and pontificate –  DO SOMETHING.

2016 is not that far away. Sit on the fence at your own peril.

Sincerely,

A.P. Dillon

Parent, Taxypayer and Voter
Lady Liberty 1885

 

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Brunswick Superintendent Terminated

Posted on November 13, 2014 by A.P. Dillon

Brunswick County School Superintendent Edward Pruden has been terminated by the Brunswick school board in a 3-2 vote in a closed-door session this week.

The reason has not been given to the public and apparently not given to Pruden either.
See part of the report from WECT:

Pruden said he was not given a clear reason why he was being terminated.

“I was not given a reason and I will leave it to the board members to explain why they took the action they did,” the superintendent explained.

Pruden did give a few speculative hints as to why he may have been fired.

“I think it’s the cumulative effect of a number of tough issues over the years. Public education is in a time of change and growth. We’ve had budget issues,” he explained.

The vote of termination comes seven months before Pruden intended to step down from the job. The superintendent announced in July that he would retire when his contract ends at the end of June next year. In July, the board gave Pruden a score of “proficient” on his performance evaluation, but would not give a reason for Pruden’s termination.
– WECT, 11/12/14

 

‘Proficient scores and retiring.’

This sounds more like a grudge than a valid termination.

According to his contract, termination of him requires the charges in writing, a hearing before the board and at least a 10 day notices of those charges in writing. It also says the Superintendent can request a transcript of the hearing proceedings.

Pruden’s contract information via WRAL:

School system: Brunswick CountySuperintendentEdward Pruden

Read the full contract: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/745558-brunswick.html

Contract length: July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2016

State salary$131,220
Local salary$29,740
Total salary$160,960

Enrollment12,295
Pay per student$13.09

Bonuses and perks
• Board will provide Pruden with a school-owned vehicle
• Board will pay Pruden’s moving expenses – the lowest of three bids
• Board will pay for Pruden’s membership and travel for professional organizations
• Board will pay for one medical exam per year

Posted in A.P. Dillon (LL1885), EDUCATION | Comments Off on Brunswick Superintendent Terminated