Editor’s Note: This views expressed in this column do not reflect the views of the editor and publisher of Home in Henderson.
Which comes first — improved schools or jobs for our community?
This is the question that has tormented Vance County for years. There are all kinds of excuses presented for us not having job growth. One of the biggest scapegoats has been the schools. Everywhere you turn you hear that our schools are “so bad” that no one wants to bring their workers to this county.
We need to get to the bottom of this issue. We need to root out problems, and we need to do it sooner rather than later.
Let’s start with the administration of our schools. Are they managing our money in the best way? With all the extras sent to our county from the Leandro decision and lately from the federal government, it would appear that we will have money for all kinds of curriculum improvements. But is the money going where it is suppose to go? Many in the public arena think not. How can this be determined?
The Vance County Board of Education should hire an outside group of forensic accountants to go over the last six years of budgets. Many government agencies have this done when they want a more complete picture than a yearly audit shows. Of course, there will be the excuse that we do not have the money for this, but a forensic accounting can also show you many ways to save money.
What might such an accounting team determine? They will determine whether or not the money sent to our county for textbooks is being spent on textbooks. They will determine if the money sent to our county for classroom teachers and substitutes is being spent for classroom teachers and substitutes. They will determine where and when money is spent for lawsuits, both threatened and filed. They will determine if the per capita expenditure per pupil is reasonable, and they will determine if a disproportionate amount of money is spend on administration and facilities.
Likewise, they can look at bidding, contracts, and suppliers to determine if the school authorities are spending wisely. Only an outside investigative group can provide these answers. There are many questions about how money is being budgeted in our school system and not enough answers.
What else other steps can the local school board take to improve the image of our schools?
The board should ask the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to analyze our test results. There are many ways for schools to improve scores. One is the old-fashioned way of students following rules, working hard and gradually improving. The other is to manipulate courses and testing. For example, if an elective course has a required test, one way to raise your scores is to not offer that course. Another way is to defer ninth graders from taking a course with a required test until later in their school career.
For the most part, principals have the say-so about what courses are offered. Are any of our school principals playing the testing game? If so, an analysis by the NC Department of Public Instruction should find this. It might only take a look at course offerings to see if a problem.
As a side note, I will say that I believe that North Carolina should do away with testing for the next four years and take the millions saved and devote it to reducing class size and having more counselors at the middle school level. This would be the best use of money, but state law would have to be changed for this to happen.
Finally, there is the perception that the schools within the city limits are neglected while the schools outside the city in the county are more welcoming. So, the School Board should appoint a citizen committee to tour our schools. This committee could compare E. M. Rollins Elementary School with Aycock, Zeb Vance, Dabney, and Clarke Elementary to see if there is a glaring disparity. For too long we have heard that young families do not want to purchase houses in the city because the elementary schools do not meet their needs. A report from citizens who are not teachers or agents of the school system can examine and compare to see if this assumption has merit.
For economic development to have a better chance, the school board should face some of the concerns voiced in this community and put an end to the speculation by proving it false, or put corrective measures in place where needed. The school board hires the management, and the school board is ultimately responsible for seeing to it that management is doing what they are supposed to do. Check the money, check the testing results, and check the facilities. Then bring your answers to the public. We deserve to know. After all, it is our business because we are paying the tab.