More than 200,000 public school students in the Triangle will return to class Wednesday, ready or reluctant to resume studies, as administrators start planning for massive budget cuts, including teacher layoffs, that could come at the end of the school year.
Budget woes in recent years have cost some teachers their jobs and led to larger classes and fewer electives and supplies for students. Hanging over the state's school districts now is what will happen when $427.7 million in federal stimulus money used to help balance education budgets disappears at the end of the school year.
"It's the elephant in the room," said Mike Gilbert, a spokesman for the Orange County school system.
While teachers work with students in the classrooms, administrators will be working behind the scenes to develop contingency plans for the loss of the stimulus money. A number of teachers in classrooms Wednesday might not be back the following school year.
"Economic times are challenging," said interim Wake Superintendent Donna Hargens. "What we really need to do is look at the things with the biggest impact and protect them."
Here are a few things that parents and students can expect this school year:
GROWTH: School districts across the state are expecting a spike in enrollment because of the infusion of students kept out last year by a new state law that says children have to turn 5 by Aug. 31 to attend kindergarten. The previous cut-off date was Oct. 16.
The large kindergarten enrollment this year is projected to help Wake County add 3,833 students, for a total projected enrollment of 143,432, keeping the district the largest in the state.
Wake is opening four new schools: Heritage High in Wake Forest, Mills Park Middle in Cary, Holly Grove Middle in Holly Springs and Alston Ridge Elementary in Cary.
Johnston County is expecting 700 additional students, which would increase its enrollment to about 32,600. Two new high schools will open their doors Wednesday, easing crowded classrooms in other high schools across the western part of the county.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools are expecting about 11,780 students this year, a jump of 250 from last school year.
Orange County is looking at a modest growth of 129 students, which would raise enrollment to 7,197 students.
BYE-BYE, CALORIES: Moon Pies, a Southern institution, are being dropped this school year from Wake County elementary school cafeterias.
Also, Wake's middle and high school vending machines will no longer contain snacks with more than 200 calories or packages with more than one serving.
Most white breads are also getting tossed from school cafeterias.
What's coming in are whole-wheat breads, more locally grown fresh produce such as cantaloupes and romaine lettuce and healthier, low-fat snack choices.
Prices are going up 25 cents for breakfast and lunch in Wake's school cafeterias. But parents will find it easier to pay for their children's meals under a new deal with MyLunchMoney.com , which will allow online prepayment.
NO MORE 'WACKY WEDNESDAYS': Wake County parents won't have to deal any longer with students' getting out early every Wednesday.
Last school year, students were dismissed at least one hour early on Wednesdays so that teachers could meet together in planning sessions. The early dismissals, called Wacky Wednesdays by critics, were dropped by the new school board majority.
Schools now have to find other times for the weekly one-hour planning sessions.
NEW PROGRAMS: Even with the budget problems, some schools are beginning new initiatives.
New placement guidelines this school year are expected to increase the number of Wake County middle school students who are enrolled in advanced math classes by relying more on data and not on subjective opinions.
Millbrook High School in North Raleigh will begin teaching its first students in the school's new International Baccalaureate magnet program. Teachers spent last school year undergoing training.
A new partnership will allow Knightdale High School students to use distance learning to take Advanced Placement classes offered at Green Hope High School in Cary. Knightdale is also starting an Academy of Environmental Studies and a Freshman Leadership Academy.
Durham schools will soon be categorized under the school district's Design for Accelerated Progress. Schools will have a deadline to reach certain academic benchmarks or face sanctions that include firings or school closure.
Durham is also working to enhance black male student achievement with the help of a $1.25 million grant from the NEA Foundation. Teachers at six schools can apply for mini-grants to use the money for afterschool programs. These efforts will benefit all students but will target black males.
HIGHER COSTS: Johnston County is getting more creative in how to save and raise cash. In May, the school board agreed to charge groups higher fees to rent school cafeterias and gymnasiums for events such as church gatherings. The move is expected to garner an extra $250,000 in the coming year.
But there's still the concern about what could happen in 2011 without the stimulus money.
"In 11 months, I have got to have a way to pay for 330 employees," Johnston County Superintendent Ed Croom said.
