[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6610883,"mediaKeyId","2901177-4a6b4570779b20847807edfb563c664a","parentId",2901177,"title","Research finds no measurable achievement effect from year‑round calendars; staff recommends Lake Myra convert to multitrack in 2026–27","audioSeconds",1489,"startMs",1507000,"endMs",2996000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2901177-4a6b4570779b20847807edfb563c664a&start=1507&end=2996","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2901177-4a6b4570779b20847807edfb563c664a/thumbnail_1507000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6610883/North-Carolina/Research-finds-no-measurable-achievement-effect-from-yearround-calendars-staff-recommends-Lake-Myra-convert-to-multitrack-in-202627","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610883-64a0219a242eabdc3635db6a4dd74562/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075493&Signature=OC7~VOnyF4fVj99tzZIbspKoiHovgfVgtBIVaKMKnlnSU2OUnmm5b1uqSkqY4iIxLiLUqi5PEeklupfcCDecdf0k6AXgVv--Ui4UttitSYm~TZB3HkW2QwfywJz5OWr8Lua5Fw5Qq4zeKnxI-pdAqcjIHek83~xkpYjblLp57dn0kc0qgjW-dQW8JH0BeAumxmpdaXatWj5~e0kMcSfVpXM~MJrXQQqLiiuWevpblRss3CAiL~oS-P~uc9UBNWNhPuJo0jWgJHVhrgVTdXXBZ1VPQmlGpzbZpA~2Qt2SsXoZ8JRLeVB3Np~C3T90UEnueqKNNm2jTTgnmuWtaAMIww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wake County Schools","date","2025-04-08T21:14:39.49Z","article","At a Wake County Board of Education work session in April (date not specified), researchers and district staff presented updated analysis of multitrack year‑round calendars and recommended 1 calendar conversion for the 2026–27 school year.

Dr. Katie Rouse, professor of economics at Elon University, summarized a district‑partnership research program that examined year‑round calendars, crowding and student achievement. Rouse said multitrack year‑round calendars are a planning tool the district has used to add capacity without building new schools: a four‑track multitrack schedule can increase a school’s usable capacity by roughly 25 percent. She noted, however, that operating a year‑round school can be more expensive on an ongoing basis because of utility, maintenance and administrative costs.

Using district data, Rouse said average test scores are higher at year‑round schools on raw comparison, but when researchers controlled for differences in student, teacher and school characteristics the apparent advantage disappeared. “Once we control for differences in student populations and school characteristics, those differences essentially disappear,” Rouse said, summarized from the presentation. Her earlier research on the district found multitrack calendars partially offset the negative achievement impacts of severe crowding, but the recent analysis of the last decade showed no measurable effect on achievement overall.

Following the research presentation, staff recommended a single calendar conversion for 2026–27: convert Lake Myra Elementary from its current single‑track arrangement to a four‑track multitrack schedule. District staff said the conversion would increase Lake Myra’s permanent capacity from 616 to 814 seats. Staff described the recommendation as a near‑term measure to address a high‑growth area in eastern Wake County while the CIP schedules new capacity (Marshburn Road and other projects) that will not be available until later years. Staff noted trailers and other temporary capacity exist at neighboring schools, but growth projections suggest those seats will be taken as development proceeds.

Staff said they had met with Lake Myra leadership and staff and opened a targeted thought exchange for Eastern Wake respondents; the district reported 67 respondents from Knightdale, Wendell and Zebulon areas and said responses emphasized the need for family outreach, child‑care planning and careful calendar alignment. Staff will open a Lake Myra‑specific thought exchange and, at the board’s request, schedule a virtual public engagement session in June before the board votes. Board members asked staff to coordinate with local child‑care providers and municipal partners to help families plan for track‑out care and other logistics.

Ending: Staff will return the Lake Myra conversion as an action item for a future board meeting after public engagement; staff kept the thought‑exchange window open for additional feedback and will present timing and public‑engagement details to the board.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-04-08 Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Elon University researcher Dr. Katie Rouse told the Wake County Board that after statistical controls, year‑round calendars show no measurable effect on student achievement; staff recommended converting Lake Myra Elementary to a four‑track multitrack calendar for 2026–27 to address near‑term crowding.","taxTitle","Wake County Schools, School Districts, North Carolina","taxId",14083,"location","North Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6610878,"Wake County Board reviews superintendent’s 2025 budget proposals; dental cost shift and facilities reductions draw board concern",2935,4328000,7263000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2901177-4a6b4570779b20847807edfb563c664a&start=4328&end=7263","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2901177-4a6b4570779b20847807edfb563c664a/thumbnail_4328000.jpg","/articles/6610878/North-Carolina/Wake-County-Board-reviews-superintendents-2025-budget-proposals-dental-cost-shift-and-facilities-reductions-draw-board-concern","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610878-aefc10c584d9f5d00cd67bd1fb565e15/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075493&Signature=CGUq458eftpYzGx93-YJrp4O~kEQv-fuSx8UAPboo~wPP5Oj4VVFhIFulpCV~xkx64Q-KK5pSRcGKSMoSQnZs-JNFi51CIgZUfpQrcuGIQ66tNHTLDYo9WQu-3quwGOmZJ3M6gDE0mEc1PJjgZ40SFggc0IZ0tOFkPKbuLFSiQM-8nPpcEUAa5cP-YvSJA62hu3WXUbAXDCmt3kuMvSGxTZxxN1kkO9qtFK5Ez77qbEckdJ-I68c6EkKxIqMfu6DjKbcKNSVaf3ATN3kZwhpWNiyPcPU6OQjwO2B3sZuuYc2gKM9xXuPRuI1yN-06SsH0I~G2-ipKCJwIv1EBcZI8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At an April work session (date not specified), Wake County Schools chiefs reviewed the superintendent’s proposed 2025 operating budget and answered board questions on a range of proposals, with much of the discussion centering on a proposed employer contribution change to the district dental plan and proposed reductions to maintenance and operations.

Chief financial and HR staff described the superintendent’s baseline recommendations and responded to board questions submitted in advance. Staff said the district has roughly 16,400 full‑time employees participating in the self‑insured dental plan; employees who participate now pay $6 per month for self‑only coverage and the district pays approximately $28 per participating employee per month. The superintendent’s proposal would shift the $28 per‑participant employer contribution to employees; because any change must follow the district open‑enrollment calendar, staff estimated a six‑month realization of savings in the first year (about $2.5 million) and roughly $5 million in annual savings thereafter.

Board members asked staff to model alternatives. Finance staff presented several illustrative sliding‑scale scenarios—using salary bands similar to state health‑plan proposals—and showed how different band definitions and monthly employee contributions would reduce district savings. One example would lower the first‑year savings to about $2.0 million (instead of $2.7 million under the full shift) and require the district to find roughly $700,000 in alternative reductions to meet the superintendent’s proposed budget gap. Staff said they could run additional scenarios (different bands, different monthly contributions) and would present those at the finance committee and at upcoming board sessions.

The budget presentation also detailed proposed reductions in facilities operations as a means to cut costs. Staff outlined recommended adjustments that together could reduce central custodial, maintenance and grounds spending by roughly $1.5 million to $1.6 million. Examples cited by staff included a proposed $850,000 custodial reduction that would eliminate supplemental daytime subcontracted coverage, no non‑routine custodial services, and reduced high‑dusting and exterior power washing; a proposed $250,000 regional maintenance reduction that would limit floor and carpet replacements and pause non‑urgent painting; and proposed $180,000 reductions each for energy/physical‑plant contracting and grounds work that would reduce contracted preventive boiler maintenance and mulching/athletic‑field work.

Board members expressed strong concerns about the operational impacts of these proposals. Multiple members urged staff to prioritize preserving student‑facing positions, building‑level substitutes, and preventive facilities work, and to search for alternative reductions that would not eliminate core maintenance or reduce day‑to‑day custodial capacity. Several board members signaled they would rather find other cuts than remove dental contributions or degrade maintenance programs that influence school air quality and long‑term asset condition. The superintendent and chiefs said they were actively modeling alternatives and would return with options.

Staff also described other technical changes in the superintendent’s budget: a revision to the high‑school assistant‑principal formula that, if applied in isolation, would affect five high schools; revised counselor and assistant‑principal tiers for some school sizes; and a proposed $1.6 million priority high‑school fund to support six high schools as they exit Title I status (two of those are also restart schools and could receive additional restart resources).

The board agreed to ask staff to return with further modeling, including multiple sliding‑scale options for dental, alternative reductions that protect student‑facing resources, and clearer scenarios showing tradeoffs if county or state revenue differs from assumptions. The board’s finance committee will review the refined options at an upcoming meeting, and staff said they will share updated materials with board members and the public. The work session concluded with a formal motion to go into closed session to discuss personnel, student and attorney‑client matters; the motion passed (mover: Mr. Hershey; second: Vice Chair Swanson; vote: unanimous).","Wake County Schools presented the superintendent’s proposed 2025 operating budget at a board work session, focusing on a recommended employer dental contribution change and proposed maintenance and custodial reductions; board members pressed staff for alternative options and asked for additional modeling.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6610887,"Wake County staff previews nearly $3 billion 7‑year capital improvement program; board flags priorities, cost risks",386,179000,565000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2901177-4a6b4570779b20847807edfb563c664a&start=179&end=565","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2901177-4a6b4570779b20847807edfb563c664a/thumbnail_179000.jpg","/articles/6610887/North-Carolina/Wake-County-staff-previews-nearly-3-billion-7year-capital-improvement-program-board-flags-priorities-cost-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610887-5e8e3f48c7b5bd1254b776ec63bc0c19/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075493&Signature=FJ1IVGBbqqiQZIlStWf3z7QD9bsmSnq27197Z648lV-PuHwl2iY0l4RbJsGOPo1LDKaNnNSkk9WyHesyYzBNE-G7IX1X5B7EEMsgIs3OaP7AuDT~Q0rZmYjXpsz7Xsci1FDYnE9jJkfDrSfEDQaKBr1nkFc~p92CWnkGxwZZ2GTD-p5R9VAoN54JGaFICz2JS~xDcG1Dk-ey9Sg~czMfDeJDNPdjgGPwFKxXVVvH19q05NNHnpk860qt-LffTpchKA2Hk36f9AoysPiI2CFpzu3xsnSJUsvZaI5iqd0~qU3AQDxFsbVYn3v2~5gthrFt4txIimuA~LENMVgKgVh6Ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Wake County Board of Education work session on Tuesday in April (date not specified), Wake County Schools staff presented an executive‑summary update of the fiscal‑year 2026–2032 capital improvement program totaling nearly $3 billion over seven years.

Mark Cooney, director of program controls for Facility Design and Construction, told the board the plan lists funding requirements and schedules for new schools and renovations. He highlighted two schools previously advanced by the board — Northville High School and Parkside Middle School (WESIP site swap) — and additional school funding proposed in FY26–27 for Marshburn Road Elementary (outside Wendell) and Poole Road. Cooney said program requirements are split into debt‑funded and cash‑funded items and called attention to a large increase in life‑cycle building funding, which staff estimated at roughly $1.3 billion for that category across the plan.

Board members and staff stressed the plan remains a working document. Chair Hagerty (identified in later remarks as chair) and other board members noted the CIP was discussed previously in facilities and finance committees and will appear later on the board’s agenda as an action item. Staff said design and contractor estimates will sharpen cost figures as projects progress and cautioned that market volatility for materials (for example, steel) and tariffs could alter bids and require adjustments to scope or financing.

Members raised substantive policy and priority questions. Several board members asked staff to weigh whether life‑cycle and deferred‑maintenance work should move ahead of some planned additions in later years; concerns included the schedule for security projects, the operational cost implications of new technology purchases (more devices can raise ongoing technical‑support staffing costs) and the district’s use of mobile classrooms and trailers. Vice Chair Swanson asked about the process and rubric for naming schools that will be proposed in the next naming cycle. Board members asked for more site visits and for staff and county partners to coordinate tours of candidate schools this summer so board members can evaluate existing conditions prior to making recommendations next spring.

Staff described the difference between debt‑funded and cash‑funded items: debt‑funded projects are paid over time with interest, while cash‑funded items would be paid from county cash holdings and not incur bond debt service. Board members directed staff to return the CIP later in the evening for a formal action vote (agenda item), and several requested that staff present prioritized options and contingencies for FY27–32 to guide future board direction.

Ending: Staff said they will refine cost estimates as designs progress and will return the CIP as an action item later on the board agenda; board members requested additional materials and site visits ahead of any final votes.","At a Wake County Board of Education work session, staff presented a FY26–32 capital improvement program totaling nearly $3 billion, highlighting new schools, major renovations and increased life‑cycle funding while board members pressed staff on priorities, contingency planning and material‑cost volatility.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Research finds no measurable achievement effect from year‑round calendars; staff recommends Lake Myra convert to multitrack in 2026–27

Wake County Board reviews superintendent’s 2025 budget proposals; dental cost shift and facilities reductions draw board concern

Wake County staff previews nearly $3 billion 7‑year capital improvement program; board flags priorities, cost risks