Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2010 16:47:39 -0700 (PDT)
From: Meg Miller
Subject: AP exams ARE important!

wow.  That is surprising and very disappointing news concerning the placement of spring break right before AP exams.Almost as surprising as the scheduling NW did which puts all but one of the AP exams in the spring..  I understand the thought behind this, to teach the course closer to the testing time but it over loads students who are taking more than 2 AP classes (my daughter will now have to drop AP Stat).  Also the class time in the spring is shortened b/c of the test schedule.

I guess AP students are supposed to use their spring break to study.  and I’m sure most of them will because that’sthe type of student who signs up for the challenge of AP anyway.

There’s no winning with AP and the block schedule but i totally agree that someone is not thinking when it comes to the calendar.   AP students are a minority, and not many parents are going to give this a second thought. But again it goes back to why we lose so many talented gifted kids to other schools like  Woods.  People on the “outside” scratch their heads and wonder whey the BOE makes bonehead decisions like this.

Email Mr. Logan the the BOE and ask them why the kids who work so hard to achieve are always getting the short end…and this starts with the “gifted” programs in grade school.

and P.S.  Spot on Pam!

Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2010 09:38:17 -0400
From: “William \”Chip\” Pate”
Subject: Chatham BOE Sabotages Students

It’s hard to believe that community leaders elected and appointed to  promote educational excellence would sabotage the students they’re  supposed to serve, but that’s precisely what Chatham County school  officials and the Board of Education have done.

And apparently they don’t care one bit.

Despite knowing about the potential conflict, these “leaders”  scheduled next year’s spring break immediately before Advanced  Placement exams. That means high school sophomores, juniors and  seniors will return after 10 days away from the classroom and walk  straight into college-level finals. Students will have no chance to  get back

into their academic routines, attend review sessions or get  last-minute advice from teachers.

The AP Chemistry and AP Environmental Science exams are that Monday  morning at 8 a.m. AP Psychology begins at noon. Good luck, folks.

Our ‘leaders” have failed. It could cost some of our students college  credit, much-needed flexibility later in their education and a lot of  money, since credit from AP exams allows many families to avoid  paying for courses later.

All they needed to do was schedule the break the week before Easter,  as many area school systems already have done (see below for a list)  — a very minor change to accommodate next year’s later holiday.

It’s not acceptable to use the excuse that “we’ve always done it like  that” or “most people wanted it that way.” That may be fine when  there’s no educational interest in play, but never when there’s a  compelling instructional reason to choose one option over another.  You can imagine the board’s response if “most people” wanted to be  out

of school the week before End of Grade tests!

Decisions like these reverberate far beyond the many students now  facing important exams without the opportunity to prepare adequately.  How do you possibly convince relocating families and businesses that  Chatham County has a quality school system when student achievement  clearly doesn’t matter?

What’s worse, these leaders don’t care. After making this argument to  board members and asking for a change in the calendar — in postal  mail and e-mail, with copies to the superintendent — not one board  member or school official responded in any way whatsoever. Silence. I  guess when you get caught with your hand in the cookie jar,

there’s  simply nothing to say.

For the record, based on research provided to me, only four school  systems in the area sabotaged their students with a spring break  running from April 25 to 29 (through May 1 counting the weekend):  Randolph County, Harnett County, Asheboro City and Chatham County.

And, it probably isn’t too shocking that these districts also posted  the lowest average SAT scores in the area. (This might suggest  something about whether academic achievement is valued.)

Here are some schools or districts that looked out for their students  (and have higher average SAT scores than Chatham):

* April 18-25: Lee County, Guilford County, Alamance-Burlington and  Raleigh Charter (Wake)

* April 18-22: Wake County and Charlotte-Mecklenburg

* March 28-April 1: Orange County, Moore County, Chapel Hill- Carrboro and Winston-Salem/Forsyth

* March 21-25: Woods Charter (Chatham)

It’s something worth remembering when we hear about Chatham County  Schools “collectively creating success,” as its website boasts — and  when it’s time again to visit the polls.

William S. “Chip” Pate Jr.
Pittsboro

Date: Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:13:21 -0400
From: Jim Brooking
Subject: Chatham Bookmobile Services Terminated

I have not seen any notices posted about the termination of Bookmobile services. I first got wind of this early in June, and saw in a flyer handed out at the Bookmobile on Wednesday, June 29, that June 30 would be its last day of service.
Apparently the coup de grace was administered sometime after the Commissioners’ June 3 meeting.  There was an extended discussion of Bookmobile services and patronage at this meeting (minutes can be seen at http://www.chathamnc.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=13352 on page 16), including information I believe to be untrue, namely that the “the Chatham County vehicle had declined since the 1970s”. I understand the current vehicle was purchased in 2002. As a diesel-powered vehicle, I would think it has many years of useful life to give.

A number of avid readers and enthusiastic patrons of the Bookmobile are disappointed and disconcerted that a decision to terminate this service was made without wider discussion and community input. Comments in the linked minutes above from the Commissioners and indeed from the Library Director seem to indicate unfamiliarity with the Bookmobile’s attraction, the community it serves, and the prospects of replacing Bookmobile services by the new Chatham Community Library when (or if) it opens in September.

The economies of retiring the Bookmobile may or may not be attractive from a budgetary standpoint. However, let me ask about the wisdom of requiring having dozens of individuals drive their vehicles weekly on a 20-30 mile round trip from North Chatham to the new library (after it opens) vs. a single vehicle driving a round trip from its home base to north Chatham once a week. Yes, the county saves some diesel fuel costs, but the rest of us incur higher fuel costs and contribute more air pollutants and incur the per-mile costs for driving everywhere.<br>

The speed and stealth, if I may use the word, with which this cancellation of a valuable service was executed seems more consistent with the Bunkey Morgan regime than with the “open, deliberative, green” policies promised us as voters when the Chatham Coalition was seeking our votes.

Two points I would like to have seen addressed, but have not as yet:

What alternatives were considered? A fee for a library card? Discount on fuel, or biofuel donation? Advance notice to individual and organizational patrons, with perhaps a suggestion of what sort of fees we might cough up to keep the Bookmobile running?

Current patrons, left in the lurch until the promised September opening of the new library, have one option in Chatham County: the Pittsboro Memorial Library, with its meager supply of old books in poor condition. Or of course, we could also add 40 miles to the round trip and drive to Siler City, Or Goldston to one of the two remaining library branches. What was the urgent financial crisis that mandated the termination of the Bookmobile 2-3 months (if one is optimistic about the opening of the new library) before ANY viable alternative is available. Some of us will, I am certain, be checking on the Chapel Hill Public Library, despite its $60/year non-resident fee. I am confident that most of us would rather pay that fee to Chatham County to get our Bookmobile back, but that option was not made available.

Meanwhile, for anyone who would like to put in a word to the Commissioners regarding the Bookmobile’s termination, their contact information (emails and phones) is at
http://www.chathamnc.org/Index.aspx?page=34

Jim Brooking
2-3 Books/Week Reader and Bookmobile Patron (no more)

Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2010 08:31:54 -0400
From: Jeannette Beranger
Subject: RE: HVAC advice

I would not recommend Burke and Burke in Siler City. We were told to try them out so we decided to schedule a maintenance visit with them this week. We took a day out of work to meet the tech for an 11 am appointment. When no one showed by 1 pm I called the office and they said they had the appointment on the schedule but that one of the tech’s called in to be out of work that day. (Could they have called to tell us this????????) The secretary said that she would try and get someone else to come that day and would call me back. By 2:30 I called the office again and no one would pick up the phone. It’s two days later I’ve had no call back and certainly no one to look at our system. Very unprofessional company in my book and one that won’t get my business.

Jeannette

Date: Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:07:27 -0400
From: Mark Stinson
Subject: Auto Insurance

I have a depressing dilemma . My daughter has finished her first year in College on a full ride scholarship she earned and I still haven’t been able to afford to let her get her drivers license . The lowest insurance quote was $919 for six months from Geico so far .

This is insane ,, there is no way in heck I could pay that , no way she could possibly work and make enough to drive and go to school . You have to have proof of insurance to get a drivers license in NC and the insurance companies are raping us blind on first time drivers . My daughter disserves the right to drive but again its all about the money , if your not rich you suffer period . Basically the insurance companies are saying all first time drivers are going to wreck so we will screw them all right off the bat so we don’t loose money . My son is 17 and I dare say a better driver than I am and he’s sick because he cant drive either .. I need them both to have a license so they can drive . My mother doesn’t drive much if any and I have days I don’t need to drive .

I am open for suggestions ,, this sucks big time .

My daughter finished the first year at UNCG with about a 3.55 GPA . That score was due to 2 and 3 am study nights ,, classes at 9 am , till 7 pm sometimes and constant studying through the weekends and organizing her time to get it all done .. She has to work hard to have the grades she has . If she tried to work even part time it wouldn’t be enough to pay for insurance and it would make her suffer academically .

My oldest son was in the top group in the state this last year wrestling , he played football and has grades that put him in the top of his class and the top students in the county and state . I expect him to earn scholarship too but its the same problem ,, how do I insure them both ?  I cant even insure one much less two . I am at my financial and physical limits now and I need some good advice because they need to drive .

There are two things in this world I truly despise to deal with ,, insurance salesman and big banks

Date: Thu, 13 May 2010 04:47:17 -0700 (PDT)
From: Diana Brewer
Subject: Flea Malls

To the Chatlisters who are looking for old fashioned Flea Malls…There is an indoor Flea Mall on W.3rd St. in Siler City,in the former Stouts Interiors building.There is a small outdoor flea mall next to Waffle House in Siler City.There is a flea mall on Hwy 64 West,just outside of Ramsuer, headed towards Asheboro. If you want to drive a little farther for a super big flea mall,from PBO,take the now dreaded 87 all the way to Graham,get on 85 towards Mebane and get off on Buckhorn Rd. As soon as you get off the exit,make a right hand turn.You will see the driveway on the left,but they now require you to keep going straight,then make a left at the next little cross road.Then turn left into a little dirt road which is the driveway. I hope you find this info helpful. Diana Brewer

Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:45:48 -0400
From: Donna Kelly
Subject: Early voting update

I sent out a list of information yesterday on the candidates and races on the Republican primary ballot.  I just learned that Kim Beal does have a website and I wanted to share that as well.  So here’s the updated list for the commissioner races.  These candidates have all made a great effort and are sacrificing a great deal of their time for the chance to serve the rest
of us.  They deserve at least a few minutes of our time to check out what they have to say.

Be sure to check out all the candidates and get out to vote.

Board of Commissioners District 3 (Incumbent George Lucier)
Brian Bock        www.electbock.com
Cadle Cooper    www.cadlecooper.com

Board of Commissioners District 5 (Incumbent Carl Thompson)
Walter Petty    www.electpetty.com
Kim Beal        http://electkimbeal.weebly.com/

Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:11:09 -0400
From: Rocco Richard
Subject: Chatham County Parks and Recreation Summer Camp

Chatham County Parks and Recreation Summer Camp at Northwest Park in Silk Hope.

Please read the following carefully as it pertains to camp for the Silk Hope and JS Waters sites.
This year we will only be offering a summer camp at our Silk Hope location.=
Camp is limited to the first 75 campers to sign up.  We will offer a bus p=
ick up and drop off for those signing up at JS Waters.  We will need a mini=
mum of 10 campers to sign up each week who would like to utilize the bus op=
tion. If the minimum of 10 is not met, we will not use the bus, but they wi=
ll still have a spot at camp.  Camp will consist of 6 weeks starting June 2=
8th and ending the week of August 9th.   Camp hours are from 7:30-5:30.  Ea=
rly drop off will start at 7:30 and late pick up will be until 5:30.  This =
applies for both on site at NW Park and for the bus pick up/drop off.  We w=
ill not have camp the week of July 5th.   The cost of camp is $25-$35 per w=
eek and is non-refundable.  Registration will open on April 19th at 10:00 a=
m at our office in Pittsboro beside Hardees.  Address is 90 East St Pittsbo=
ro NC 27312.    This registration will only cover sessions I, II, and III. =
We will open registration for sessions IV, V, and VI on July 19th at 10:00=
am at the same location. We will not accept any faxed or mailed registrati=
on forms.  The cost of each week you register for will be due on the day of=
registration to guarantee your spot.  For more information please call Roc=
co Richard at 919-545-8553.

LOCATION: NORTHWEST PARK IN SILK HOPE.  2413 WOODY STORE RD.
DATES:JUNE 28TH-JULY 2ND AND JULY 12TH-AUGUST 13TH
TIME:7:30-5:30
COST:$25-$35 PER WEEK.
AGE: K-8TH  GRADERS(must be in  school)

REGISTRATION DATES:
APRIL 19TH @ 10:00AM
REGISTER ONLY FOR
SESSION I: JUNE 28-JULY 2 SESSION II: JULY 12-16 or SESSION III: JULY 19-23

JULY 19TH @ 10:00AM
REGISTER ONLY  FOR
SESSION IV: JULY 26-30
SESSION V: AUGUST 2-6  or SESSION VI: AUGUST 9-13

REGISTER @ PARKS AND RECREATION OFFICE IN PITTSBORO BESIDE HARDEES

ACTIVITES
* SWIMMING
* FISHING
* ARTS AND CRAFTS
* HIKING
* WEEKLY FIELDTRIPS
* PADDLE BOATS
* GAME ROOM
* BASKETBALL
* ARCHERY
* HORSESHOES
* AND MUCH MORE

Rocco Richard
Recreation Program Supervisor
Chatham County Parks and Receation

Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2010 23:37:54 -0400
From: Mia Munn
Subject: Monday’s school board mtg

I got to the mtg late, so I missed a lot of the student recognitions, but there were a very good presentations on AVID, the 1 to 1 laptop initiative, and the Algebra I study.

Other info:
The NC Dept of Transportation and the NC Dept of Public Instruction are currently arguing over who will fund drivers ed. For years, the $33M has come from transportation funds but the classes have been delivered through the public schools. For next year’s budget, Transportation wants DPI to pick up the cost. The result may be that the state stops providing free drivers ed classes to teenagers.

The system is still waiting on more details of state budget cuts. The  current thought is 3%, but they are unsure if that means an additional  3% (or $1.85M) or if the funds they’ve already cut from next year’s budget (somewhere in the neighborhood of $1.5M) are part of that cut. Mr. Logan warned again that ARRA money expires after next school year, so the 2011-12 budget will be even tighter (statewide an additional $373M less for schools).

Pollard Middle School is about 55% complete. The plan is to move in during Dec so students can start at the new school when they come back in Jan 2011. Hiring for the principal will begin soon. Most but not necessarily all middle school teachers from PHS and NCS will move to Pollard.

The district applied for Qualified School Construction bonds last July and August for roof replacement at 9 schools and restroom renovations at 7 schools. Additional money is available, so we are amending our application to move the cost of renovating the JM and CC auditoriums out of the county capital plan, to fund them with the low-interest bonds. This would bring the total to $4.4M.

Goldston requested the board support its grant application for funds for sewers. The board decided to support it – though the district recently rebuilt the onsite waste treatment facility for JS Waters, hooking up to the town sewer system would be a long-term solution. (JS Waters has had septic issues for years if not decades.)

The board, several administrators, and some county commissioners will be attending a program put on by Apple Computer, at Apple’s expense, in Virginia in May.

Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2010 21:37:05 -0400
From: Gene Galin
Subject: Last Week’s Hottest Bulletin Board Topics

1. Letter to Mayor Voller RE: Shot of ‘Spro’s non-attendance  (Read 5189 times) at
http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,17915.0.html

2. “Independent Weekly” endorsements for 2010 primary  (Read 1765 times) at
http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,18067.0.html

3. Randy on ABC !!  (Read 1140 times) at
http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,18047.0.html

4. High speed internet help!!  (Read 1070 times) at
http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,17986.0.html

5. Chatham County courthouse news  (Read 957 times)  at
http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,18045.0.html

6. Q for Bock on rebuilding courthouse  (Read 905 times) at
http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,18052.0.html

7. Food Lion of Pittsboro (and everywhere I suppose)  (Read 856 times) at
http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,18088.0.html

8. Are they widening Andrews Store Road  (Read 605 times) at
http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,18001.0.html

9. pittsboro pool  (Read 599 times) at
http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,18033.0.html

10. Looking for solution to a water problem. Any help is appreciated  (Read 502 times) at
http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,17914.0.html