2007-08 Adopted Plan - Wake County Public School System

The Reporting Entity and Its ServicesReporting EntityThe board is the basic level of government exercising oversightresponsibility and control over all activities related to public schooleducation in Wake County. Because its members are elected by thepublic and have decision-making authority, the power to designatemanagement, the ability to signifi cantly infl uence operations, and primaryaccountability for fi scal matters, the board is recognized as a separategovernment reporting entity, as defined by the Governmental AccountingStandards Board (GASB). The board receives funding from county, state,and federal government sources and must comply with the concomitantrequirements of those funding entities. While the board receives countyfunding, the county is not entitled to share in any surpluses nor is itrequired to fi nance any defi cits.Economic Condition and OutlookThe recurring publicity of Wake County as one of the most desired placesto live and work in the United States, as evidenced by past surveys inmagazines such as Forbes, Money, Fortune and Entrepreneur, hascontinued to turn the spotlight on quality of life enjoyed by Wake Countycitizens. While quality of life is an intangible asset, there are many tangibleattributes that we can point to in explaining the county’s attractiveness.Chartered in 1771, Wake County covers an area of 864 square miles andis the second most populous county in the state. Twelve municipalitiesreside in Wake County including Raleigh, the county seat and statecapital. A unique mix of urban county with rural areas and small townsdistinguishes Wake County from other counties in the state and providessomething for everyone in choosing a lifestyle. Located in the northcentral section of the state on the piedmont plateau, Wake County isapproximately half way between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. As wellas being a part of that major industrial corridor, Wake County is alsoconvenient to the recreation of the beautiful North Carolina mountainsand serene North Carolina beaches. The county’s topography ischaracterized by low rolling hills in the northwest changing graduallyto level land in the southeast. The central North Carolina climate isrelatively mild with moderate winters and warm summers. The location,geography, and climate make Wake County an enjoyable place to liveand work while also contributing signifi cantly to the economic viability ofthe region.The economy of the area is stabilized by the presence of state and localgovernment employment markets, the college and university employmentmarkets, and the Research Triangle research facilities, all of which offersubstantial employment opportunities to the county’s population. Nomajor specialized industry dominates the economy of the county. Theboard continues to anticipate an increased enrollment over the nextseveral years and will need continued increases in classroom space,teachers, and equipment. County funding is a major source of incomefor the board; therefore, the county’s economic outlook directly affectsthat of the school district.The Research Triangle, straddled on the Wake and Durham County line,was organized in 1959. It encompasses 6,800 acres of land set aside forresearch and research-oriented manufacturing. With the attractivenessof the Research Triangle and its proximity to three major researchuniversities, it is no accident that medical and electronic industriesfl ourish in the region.WCPSS works with a variety of agencies, suppliers, and partners to deliverthe necessary programs, activities, and services of the school system. Inmany instances state law and regulations defi ne the relationship betweenWCPSS and their suppliers. For example, the North Carolina Departmentof Public Instruction (NCDPI) establishes the required curriculum to betaught in all North Carolina schools.Student performance is assessed by the state in grades 3-8 in the areasof reading and mathematics. Writing is assessed in grades 4, 7, and10. In grades 9-12, the state assesses student performance in selectedcourses in the areas of English, social studies, mathematics, and science.Students must meet minimum competency standards in mathematics,reading, and computer literacy to receive a high school diploma.WCPSS maintains relationships with local colleges and universities,community agencies, businesses, parent organizations, and the WakeEducation Partnership. The Wake Education Partnership is a community-basedpublic school advocacy organization that links business andcommunity resources to strengthen schools. The Partnership’s efforts includesponsoring annual education summits and community-based technologyforums, conducting the Gallup Poll on education, and awardinggrants to teachers. The Triangle United Way and the United Arts Council66