Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 08:39:31 -0400
From: Fact Guy
Subject: Rhetoric vs Reality
Based on Comments from the democratic party chair and candidate Hales one would expect our school system to be in terrible shape at this point. Let’s compare their words with reality.
Jan Nichols warned us in 2010 by saying:
“*The opponent’s slate … represents extremists who want to impose reckless policies.., if they succeed, … chatham will be exposed to … massive local budget cuts, that will ruin our schools. These radicals want to overturn the wise investments we have made …, most important, the schools”*
Diana Hales carries the theme into this year by saying *”greater support for public schools is essential, especially raising teacher pay. The republican majority on the current board have consistently squeezed the annual budgets”*
Now lets look at reality within the schools over the past 4 years:
BOC has NEVER reduced spending to our schools. According to the approved budgets that are posted online, spending has increased year over year for the past 3 years.
BOC increased local supplement to teachers even though the BOE did not request it.
BOC funded the first locally funded system wide teacher pay incentive program that will give every educator a bonus this year.
Two of our schools are now nationally top ranked American High Schools
Graduation rates now exceed the state average
All 17 of our schools met or exceeded growth expectations (1 of only 14 in the the state to achieve this)
Chatham County schools out-performed NC Math I, Biology, English II, and ACT SAT scores have risen 10%
The BOC has funded upgrades to all facilities (roofs and other facilities had been allowed to deteriorate)
That’s just a sampling of what “reckless” policies and “squeezing budgets” by the conservative majority has done.
The bottom line is that our schools are in better condition and outcomes are better than they ever have been. No matter how often the democrats repeat a false narrative, there is only one version of the truth.
You don’t have to take my word for it, it’s all public record.