NAACP Sponsors Education Forum to Discuss Possible Legislative Impacts on Public Education

 

 

                        

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

Immediate Release

March 21, 2011                                 

 

Contact:  Rev. Andre’ D. Knight, President, (252) 544-2949

Reuben Blackwell, NC NAACP Community Coordination Chair (252) 544-3343

    

 

NAACP Sponsors Education Forum to Discuss Possible Legislative Impacts on Public Education

 

 

Rocky Mount, NC – The Rocky Mount Branch of the NAACP, in conjunction with area ministers, will host a discussion with local and statewide leaders in education.  “The NC General Assembly is on a fast track to drastically change the face of public education,” Andre’ Knight, President of the Rocky Mount Branch said. “We want to make sure that our local legislators and the people they serve understand the full ramifications that Senate Bill 8 will have on public schools in the Nash/Rocky Mount and Edgecombe County Public Schools.”  This bill deals with lifting the cap on charter schools in North Carolina as well as their funding and governance.

 

The Education Forum will be held in the OIC Auditorium located at 402 E. Virginia Street at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 24th.  Reuben Blackwell, NC NAACP Community Coordination Chair stated, “The North Carolina NAACP and the HKonJ coalition has made a clear call to all chapters throughout the state to support progressive legislation that helps every child in North Carolina receive a sound education.  We want to have a good dialogue that might help our legislators craft and support bills that will move our state forward, not cripple and destroy public education opportunities for every child.” 

 

Confirmed panelists to date are: Rick McMahon, Retiring Nash/Rocky Mount Public Schools Superintendent; Marvin Pittman, Education Consultant and former Associate Superintendent of NC Public Schools; Evelyn Wilson, Chair of the Edgecombe County Board of Education; Michael Pratt, Headmaster, Rocky Mount Preparatory School; Keith Sutton, Wake County School Board Member; and NC Rep. Angela Bryant.  The complete delegation of members of the NC General Assembly from the Twin Counties has been invited to attend and participate.

 

Andre’ Knight added, “This forum is for everyone. We want to be able to discuss issues related to charter schools, education tax credits and any other issue that is relevant to the education of our children and that will either help our eastern North Carolina economies grow or fail.  We need everyone to be concerned and to attend. ” 

 

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Senate Bill 8 Update

February 16th, 2011

Charter Bill Moving Faster

URGENT Request Below

Senate Bill 8, the "Charter Cap Plus" bill, passed the full

Senate Education Committee today and will be on the floor for a full senate vote tomorrow in all likelihood. Amendments by Sen. Malcolm Graham to address access to charter schools by adding mandates for weighted lotteries, transportation, and food service, were defeated primarily on a party-line vote. Republicans argued that the law already provided for efforts to attract and educate at risk children and the charter schools had demonstrated an ability to do that as testimony by Cheryl Turner of Sugar Creek Charter and Michael Pratt of Rocky Mount Prep provided. Matthew Norcross, a high school student and product of Phoenix Academy, told of his successful journey through that High Point charter school.

(Matt Norcross)

The bill sets up a Commission to authorize, monitor, and report on the state’s charters as well as other provisions you have been asking for. One of these is the reversal of the onerous language inserted into the 2010 Budget Bill which allowed the LEAs to continue to remove certain funds from the "Current Expense Fund", which the law originally intended to be shared with the charter schools.

There will be fierce opposition by the school administrators and school boards in the coming days (hours). Please have your parents and community supporters contact their senators and House members and request that the "Sugar Creek" provisions be left in the bill. 

Do this NOW!

A full copy of the bill and a summary may be found on the Alliance website.

Respectfully,

Jim Stegall, Lobbyist

WANT TO START A CHARTER SCHOOL?

Senate Bill 8 which eliminates the 15 year old cap on charters passed the Senate Education Committee this morning and heads to a full senate vote tomorrow. It is now time to begin planning your public charter school.

The NC Alliance for Public Charter Schools announces a one-day charter start-up session designed for those thinking about applying for a North Carolina charter school. This seven-hour training session aims to empower future charter leaders with knowledge for the development of a competitive charter application and an effective charter school.

Charter Starter – Ideal for persons seeking general information about the NC Charter School movement and the process for obtaining a charter contract.

When:  Thursday, March 17th 2011, 9am – 4pm (Working Lunch Provided)

Where: Charlotte, NC

Cost: Please call our office for costs. There are discounts for members of the Alliance, groups of two or more attending the workshop, and discounts for returning attendees.

Capacity: Attendance is limited to 40 persons. Register now to secure your seat. Simply send your check payable to NC Alliance, 512 St. Mary’s St., Raleigh, NC 27605 or call our office for card payment. Attach you name and address with your check or email same to

samantha.colafrancesco@nccharters.org.

Special Thanks to Our FEB 7th – Charter Starter
WORKSHOP SPONSORS

NC Alliance for Public Charter Schools
512 St. Marys Street, Ste.110
Raleigh, North Carolina 27605
919-900-8951