Poverty presentation met with skepticism

from the Charlotte Observer

Some on board unimpressed with results of money spent to improve achievement
PETER SMOLOWITZ
psmolowitz@charlotteobserver.com

School board members and a top official with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools challenged one another Tuesday over efforts to improve high-poverty, low-performing schools.

The attempts to boost test scores and recruit effective teachers for the 11 schools, which form what's known as the Achievement Zone, have been one of Superintendent Peter Gorman's signature plans since he arrived last year.

But after listening to a presentation from a team spearheading the push, some board members who often disagree each indicated skepticism.

These struggles aren't new, so why haven't there been more results, the board members asked. How will the latest proposals be different? And with CMS launching an evaluation of which programs have been successful, there was reluctance to give more money to the schools.

"I would expect you'd have more than enough money, and some left over, if you eliminate some of the programs," said board member George Dunlap.

Board member Larry Gauvreau said he didn't see anything "radically different" in the presentation.

"There are fantastic amounts of money going into this school system, into this zone, without result," he said.

CMS staff members are normally reluctant to confront the board, but after the questions, area superintendent Curtis Carroll spoke up.

Carroll reminded the board that many students in the schools do, in fact, succeed. But he also highlighted obstacles in those schools: less experienced teachers working with students who are less likely to have parental support, more likely to just be learning English and more likely to be absent or suspended.

"This is more complex than the board of education firing off questions," Carroll said. "We're supposed to work collaboratively."

After the meeting, Carroll and Gorman said things are different this year. Bonuses of up to $15,000 were offered at some schools, for example, and the six vacancies remaining are far less than last year.

In addition, consultants -- paid for by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation -- have identified the greatest challenges at each school. That way, CMS can tailor programs for each campus, rather than rely on the one-size-fits-all approach that has been typical.

Also Tuesday, CMS officials said they would wait until after the second month of school before deciding whether any money should be returned to the county because of lower-than-expected enrollment.

The school system added almost 3,300 students since last year, but school leaders had expected 5,200. Unless there's an unexpected enrollment surge by the 40th day of classes, CMS would have to return $3 million to $5 million of the $703 million it received from the state.

That would mean CMS loses about 40 teaching positions. There are enough vacancies that no one would lose a job, but some instructors would have to change schools.

There's no formula for returning money to the county, however.