Raleigh Public Record (https://theraleighcommons.org/raleighpublicrecord/topics/news/page/157/)
Wake County Commissioners and school board members played a little power tug-of-war last week over the spending of county dollars in education. Commissioners voted last year to request a “purpose and function” breakdown of the school system’s 2011-12 budget. But when school officials made their formal appropriation request to Commissioners in mid-May, they asked for the budget in a lump sum.
WCPSS has extended the “test drive” of what’s called The Blue Plan — part of a new student assignment plan. The deadline to participate in the mock trial is now Friday, June 24.
The 2010 Census puts Raleigh among the nation’s fastest-growing cities. We break down which segments of the population are growing: Latinos and different types of households.
Filing for the fall election has not yet begun, but many candidates are stepping forward for Wake County School Board. Here is a breakdown of declared candidates so far.
This year’s proposed Capital Improvement Program focuses on repairs instead of replacements in six departments. City officials say it’s better to maintain existing infrastructure instead of building new while the economy is still on the mend. The City Council will approve the CIP as part of its total budget by the new fiscal year start July 1.
Raleigh set aside $150,000 last year to develop a “creative district” in southwest Raleigh. City Councilors debated in committee this week whether they should pigeonhole “creativity” to only one area of the city.
Wake County Commissioners have informally agreed to restore more than $600,000 in cuts in the county manager’s proposed budget. Although more than half that money will be given to non-profits, commissioners say the allocations are a “soft landing” as they wean programs off county funding.
Wake County schools have begun a two-week trial of one of two student assignment proposals. Parents can go to the school Web site now to test out the Blue Plan, ranking schools in order of preference. School officials say the information will help determine how the process will work if the plan is implemented.
Raleigh transportation planners are working on a new pedestrian plan that encourages the use of sidewalks. Residents can help by providing input about needed improvements and programs for encouraging pedestrians.
Plans are moving forward to renovate Moore Square in downtown Raleigh. But the city’s Tree Conservation task force says those plans will hurt the square’s best feature: the trees.
