MArch 3, 2001

State Government News

Community colleges divide money money on enrollment, not need
Rather than spend months debating which campuses need the money the most and should get it first, the State Board of Community Colleges on Wednesday approved a plan to distribute $600 million in higher education bonds to the 58 campuses based on projected enrollment. The decision means money will be available to all schools this year from the initial $48.4 million for community colleges. System President Martin Lancaster said the board would have spent six to eight months deciding which of the more than 400 building projects should be funded first. He said the distribution formula the state board adopted came out of meetings with school presidents. Download the spreadsheet showing how the campuses are dividing the money

State unemployment rate rises above 4%, matches national average
North Carolina’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate rose to 4.2 percent in January, the first time it's been above the 4 percent level in more than a year, according to the state Employment Security Commission (ESC). This compares to a 3.9 percent jobless rate in December and a 3.4 percent rate one year earlier (January 2000). North Carolina’s unemployment rate remains equal to the national rate, which also increased to 4.2 percent in January. "Despite the slight rise in unemployment, economic growth in our state continues to be robust and add new jobs," said ESC Chairman Raymond W. Goodman Jr. "We estimate that 11,600 more North Carolina workers were employed last month than during December 2000. This is an indication that our state’s economy remains quite strong." North Carolina’s labor force was estimated at 4,007,900 in January.

Six new charter schools brings state to maximum allowed by law
The State Board of Education on Thursday approved six new charter schools, bringing the total number of charter schools operating in the state to 100 - the program's cap. The six new charter schools approved by the Board to begin operation in 2001-02 are:

Crossroads Charter High School (Mecklenburg County). The educational focus will target high-risk students (this includes academically gifted students) through individualized education plans for students in grades 9-12.

Queen's Grant Community School (Mecklenburg County). The educational focus will be on Core Knowledge and Character Development for grades K-5 initially and expand through grade 8.

Hope Elementary School (Wake County). The educational focus will target at-risk children in grades K-4 initially and expand to grade 5.

Ann Atwater Community School (Durham County). The educational focus will target at-risk children and use the Coalition of Essential Schools Reform Model for grades 4-9 initially and expand through grade 12.

Oak Ridge Charter School (Guilford County). The educational focus will be on Core Knowledge and Character Development for grades K-5 initially and expand through grade 8.

Clover Garden School (Alamance County). The educational focus will be on Core Knowledge for grades K-8 and expand through grade 12.

The charter school law, enacted in 1996, is intended to foster creative approaches to education by relieving these schools from many state regulations and requirements. Charter schools are public schools, offered to parents as one choice for their children's education. Statewide, charter schools serve many student populations and focus on a variety of approaches to education. Charters are granted by the State Board of Education and are in effect for five years. Since 1997, 116 charters have received approval. Twenty-two schools are no longer operating either because they did not accept the charter (2), they voluntarily relinquished their charter (13), or they had their charter revoked (7).

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