Cuts for Governor's School may end summer program for gifted students

RALEIGH -- For nearly a half century the Governor's School has been a Tar Heel institution, honing and stretching the minds of some of the brightest high school students in the state.

It is a place where math contests are cool, where clarinet playing is fun, and where conversations on philosophy can last long into the night.

But the Governor's School was placed on political life-support by the legislature last month when it passed a budget that eliminated the $849,000 annual funding for the school, which is actually two academic summer camps - one at Salem College in Winston-Salem and one at Meredith College in Raleigh.

Faced with a $2.5 billion budget shortfall, lawmakers said the Governor's School could continue only if it found alternative funding. But officials say the six-week academic camp, which has historically been free for students, would be put out of reach for many students if the full cost - an estimated $2,100 per student - was charged in fees.

For that reason, June Atkinson, the state schools superintendent, said she will recommend to the State Board of Education today that the Governor's School be discontinued after the current summer session ends.

Atkinson said in an interview Wednesday that she will recommend discontinuing the school "until such point that we can have adequate funds to support its offering to students across the state."

"One major plus for the Governor's School is that it has recognized students with talent without regard to economic status," Atkinson said. "When we move a Governor's School to a fee-based program, it becomes just another program that would be similar to what Duke would offer or what State would offer to students whose parents can pay the fees."

William Harrison, the state board chairman, said he hoped the board could find a way to continue the school "in some form or fashion."

Supporters are discussing whether the program could be rescued by fundraising among alumni or through foundations.

"I think it's important that some of our most able students be able to really extend themselves," Harrison said.

Rep. Bryan Holloway, co-chairman of the education appropriations committee, said the Governor's School is a valuable program, but the legislature faced difficult choices.

"It was not a matter of wanting to cut the Governor's School," said Holloway, a Republican from King. "It was a matter of us wanting to keep teaching and teaching assistant positions."

If the economic climate improves, Holloway said, the legislature possibly could find money during next year's short session to restore funding for the school.

The Governor's School was started in 1963 by then-Gov. Terry Sanford. It was part of a broad range of education initiatives, including the N.C. School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, that gave North Carolina the reputation as "the Dixie Dynamo."

Since its creation, some 31,000 North Carolinians have gone through the program, taking enrichment programs in language, math, the arts, social studies, science and other subjects. In a few instances, three generations of Tar Heels have gone through the program.

Among the second generation students is Sierra Wilson, from rural Fleetwood in Ashe County, who is studying social studies at the Meredith campus this summer. Her mother, Carmen, a schoolteacher, attended in the 1980s and had encouraged her to attend.

The Governor's School was the first of its kind in the country and became a national model, with more than 20 states copying North Carolina. There was initially one Governor's School at Salem College. Eventually a second was added, which is now at Meredith College.

Because of previous state budget constraints, the Governor's School budget was cut from $1.35 million to $849,000 two years ago, and the number of students was reduced from 800 to 600. For the first time, a $500 fee was charged - sometimes paid by the school districts and sometimes by parents.

Getting into the Governor's School is competitive, with as many as 1,900 applications for the 600 slots. Most are rising high school seniors.

Students interviewed at the Meredith campus Wednesday said they gave up vacations at the beach to attend the school for a number of reasons.

Corbin Rhoads of Durham came to polish his French. Sammie Rice of Wake Forest is working in new art forms, going beyond acrylic painting to work with cardboard for the first time. Jacob Schimelman of Mooresville has been discussing the meaning of the Holocaust. Sarah Montoya of Cary has been improving her clarinet skills.

Beyond that, the students say they have been energized by an atmosphere that encourages intellectual exchange.

Nick Webb of Mooresville said he felt challenged by being surrounded by high-achieving students in an environment that encourages learning and discussion.

"It is where you know you are going to have an intelligent conversation," said Sterling Logan of Pittsboro, who is studying math. "It is where people are willing to discuss what they are reading or what is in the news."

The students said they are free to be themselves, to avoid cliques, to find people like themselves with intellectual interests, and to experience living away from home.

"I have discovered myself as an individual," said Chaarushi Ahuja of Greensboro. She said she enjoyed the Governor's School so much that it was difficult to go home during the four-day July Fourth break, despite so-so food and hard beds.

Many students said it would be difficult for them to come to the Governor's School if they were required to pay the full tuition.

"I couldn't possibly be here if I had to pay that much," said Derek Nixon of Edenton. "Our money is kind of tight back home."