North Carolina
Thursday, February 2, 2012
The N.C. Department of Public Instruction released reports today on school discipline and high school dropouts. The rate of dropouts decreased statewide and in Durham, Orange, Wake and Chatham counties. The rate increased slightly in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools.
Statewide, the numbers of suspensions and expulsions of students decreased, as well, according to a statement from N.C. DPI.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Can school districts truly affect which charter schools are approved?
Most public school officials won't be shy if you ask them how a charter school impacts their local budgets. For every student who is eligible to enroll in a traditional public school but chooses to attend a charter, the student's home school system must send the charter a chunk of money. In short, the money follows the student through the public system.
At a meeting of the State Board of Education (SBE) this morning in Raleigh, one state official likened the payments to alimony—painful in many cases, but necessary by law. In a district such as Durham County, with eight charter schools, the pass-through money totals more than $10 million a year, according to a recent statement from Durham Superintendent Eric Becoats. Durham has the highest market share of charter schools in the state, Becoats wrote. (PDF)
But will that stop the SBE from approving any more charters in Durham? It's hard to say.
On Wednesday and Thursday, the SBE is scheduled to consider nine applications for new charter schools to open this fall. Board members will merely discuss this week, and take a final vote in the beginning of March.
The board reviewed impact statements that school districts provided on the nine pending applications, said Joel Medley, director of the state's Office of Charter Schools. But moving forward, board members agreed, they need more specific policies on what data the impact statements should include, and how the impact statements would figure into their decisions.
Reports from local school districts are varied and inconsistent—if the districts even send one—that there's really no standard for the weight they should carry as SBE members consider a charter application. The board discussed identifying specific questions that school districts should answer. Chairman Bill Harrison said the board needs to discuss how the board should weigh the impact on traditional public schools without creating inroads or barriers for either side.
Say, for instance, a school district gets to a point where half its students are enrolled in a charter school, Harrison said. "Is that [school district] going to provide an efficient education for the children who are remaining? It could be debatable, but probably not," he said. But, the state also can't definitively say that once a school district loses half its students, the charter can't expand any more, he said.
"I think we need to frame this conversation," Harrison said. "It's an important time in the history of public education in North Carolina ... and it’s my preference and my desire that we strengthen the opportunities for all kids."
The N.C. Department of Public Instruction is expecting to receive 50 to 70 more applications for new or expanded charter schools in April, Medley said. Expecting the slew, the SBE needs to work quickly on setting some more specific parameters, board members agreed.
"We don't know where this is going, but we do know this is time sensitive," said board member Wayne McDevitt, of Marshall.
Look for this topic to come up again when the state board begins its monthly meeting Wednesday at 10 a.m. and stretches to Thursday. Look for coverage on Staff Writer Bob Geary's blog, Citizen.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
On the day set aside to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy, hundreds of North Carolina black farmers met individually with attorneys from the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, seeking recompense for decades of discrimination.
Appointments and walk-ins were welcomed on Monday at the Durham Marriott City Center. Farmers were called to file their claims to receive part of a $1.25 billion settlement the Obama administration signed into law aiming to rectify decades of discriminatory practices by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
State Sen. Floyd McKissick Jr., D-Durham, addressed the crowded Marriott ballroom, saying, "Thank you for all the work and contributions you've made to North Carolina." He stated that it was unfortunate this situation ever occurred, and that "at least today, Congress set aside funds to accommodate you."
McKissick said he was pleased with the current progress of gaining justice but noted that he was "most concerned for the people who couldn't make it here." After thanking the attorneys, McKissick assured farmers that he and the attorneys were "there to serve, regardless of the county you come from."
Farmers came from all across the state, including Sampson, Hertford, Franklin, Robeson and Stokes counties. One woman traveled from out-of-state: Brenda Waller of Halifax County, Va., explained that "a lot of us who got our documentation in Virginia got it after the designated time. By the time it filtered to us, the date had passed."
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
The living victims of North Carolina's eugenics program came closer Tuesday to receiving compensation when a task force authorized by Gov. Bev Perdue last March voted on its final recommendations.
"We were told that this would be a tough job. I don't think we knew at that time how tough it would be," Dr. Laura Gerald, the task force chair, said.
In keeping with the task force's preliminary recommendations and debates, the task force voted 3-2 in favor of recommending a $50,000 lump sum to verified living victims. With the vote, the stage is being set for a tough battle in the General Assembly as elected officials balance budget issues and victims and family members continue to fight for more.
Between 1929 and 1974, the State of North Carolina sterilized an estimated 7,600 men, women and children, several of which were present in the packed conference room Tuesday. Even after most states ended their programs after World War II, the N.C. Eugenics Board continued to approve sterilizations for often little more than the loosely defined definition of being "feebleminded" and therefore unfit to reproduce.
Since 2000, the State has issued an apology and two similar task force groups have sought to recommend courses of action, but compensation died both times in the General Assembly.
In previous meetings and debates the volunteer task force has received much criticism.
"It has been a difficult and at times very uncomfortable for us, as we have had several victims and their loved ones express disappointment in and even anger toward the task force for the amounts of compensation that we're considering," Gerald said.
Gerald, former journalist Phoebe Zerwick and historian Linwood Davis voted for the $50,000. Only 72 victims have come forward and have been verified as of Dec. 31. The three task force members believed the estimated 1,500—2,000 living victims would not come forward all at once.
"I believe that over a period of the years that will be outlaid in the statue of limitations that the state will be able to achieve a compensation of $50,000 per victim," Gerald said.
Attorney Demetrius Worley Berry and former judge Fetzer Mills recommended $20,000. Mills said she was worried about larger amounts, given the failure of the General Assembly to pass the $20,000 recommended in 2008.
In addition to the $50,000, members unanimously voted for a variety of other recommendations including mental health care, a three-year limit on when victims can come forward to apply for compensation and a public education effort through, among other things, restoring the state's mobile eugenics history exhibit.
The group also recognized the need to further staff and fund the N.C. Justice for Sterilization Victims Foundation, which has three employees, for the purpose of administering and overseeing many of the recommendations made.
The task force's final report is due to Perdue Feb. 1, when she will review it and make her recommendations to the legislature.
"Throughout these proceedings, bipartisan support has strengthened. We believe that the governor and legislature should act now to seize the moment," Gerald said in her closing remarks.
The task force hopes the Legislature will act in this year's short session, which begins in May.
Many comments and suggestions have been put forward by victims, family members and concerned citizens, including a proposal brought to Tuesday's meeting by 10 victims and family members, asking for $1 million for living victims and estates of the deceased as well. Many of these comments and suggestions Gerald said would also be included in the report.
"We recognize that there are many other wonderful suggestions out there for recommendation, so again I think it is the hope and sentiment of this task force that our recommendations serve as the floor for action," Gerald said.
Many of the victims and family members present were unhappy with the results, but ready to move on with their lives.
Melissa Hyatt, stepdaughter of eugenics victim Charles Holt, said previous recommendations had felt like a slap in the face. "But today, I see a little bit of relief, especially on my dad's face and that's all that matters," Hyatt said. "Whatever makes him happy, I'm happy."
Elaine Riddick, sterilized at 14 after being raped and giving birth to her only son, would have liked $5 million to $10 million. 'I don't like the recommendation but I have to accept it. I have to accept it because I am ready to go on with my life," Riddick said.
Those involved are optimistic that action will be taken this time around. "It has appeared to me that there is pretty strong bipartisan support and I think what we've recommended is feasible," Zerwick said.
Delores Marks, daughter of a deceased victim and advocate for compensation to the estates of the deceased, recognized the fight is not over.
"We are going to continue to stay optimistic until the end," Marks said. "Until the end."
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Task force meets Tuesday on compensation for N.C. sterilization victims
- file photo by Adam David Kissick
- Elaine Riddick, a victim of forced sterilization, speaks before a state task force that could recommend compensation for the nearly 3,000 living victims sterilized through the N.C. Eugenics Board.
A state task force will meet Tuesday to decide what compensation the state government should offer victims of North Carolina's eugenics program.
The N.C. Eugenics Board forcibly sterilized at least 7,600 men and women from 1929 to 1974. More than 2,900 of those victims are thought to be alive today. Nearly anyone could petition the state to sterilize someone and prevent them from reproducing because they were diseased, addicted to drugs, or "feebleminded." Read the Indy's coverage of the issue.
The Governor’s Eugenics Compensation Task Force released a preliminary report in August with a set of recommendations: lump sum financial compensation, plus health services for the living victims, funding for a traveling N.C. Eugenics Board exhibit and the continuation and expansion of the N.C. Justice for Sterilization Victims Foundation.
The task force will finalize its report and send it to Gov. Bev Perdue. If Perdue accepts the recommendations, she could include compensation for victims and funding for other services in her state budget, which will go to the N.C. General Assembly when it reconvenes in May.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
- File photo by Jenny Warburg
- Death chamber at Central Prison, Raleigh
State lawmakers will meet Wednesday at 2 p.m. to decide whether to uphold the historic Racial Justice Act, a law passed in 2009 to spare the lives of death-row inmates who could prove that their trials, convictions or sentences were influenced by racial prejudice. Under the law, inmates who successfully prove their cases would be allowed to serve life sentences without parole instead of being put to death.
Recently released studies have shown patterns of racial bias in the selection of juries in North Carolina over the past 20 years, as well as in the application of the death penalty to defendants, based on their race or the race of the victim.
But in 2011, a mostly Republican ensemble of legislators set out to dismantle the law. Many have argued the legislation is too broad, and others have criticized it as death penalty opponents' way to simply stave off further executions in this state.
During the summer and fall, both chambers of the Legislature supported Senate Bill 9, which effectively guts the RJA. Gov. Bev Perdue vetoed the passing of SB 9 on Dec. 14 and chose Jan. 4 as the date Legislators could vote to override her veto. The Senate will consider the bill first, then the House. Three-fifths of the present and voting members in each chamber must agree to override the governor's decision. An override in the Senate looks certain, but it could prove more challenging for House opponents of the Racial Justice Act to gather enough support to pass the bill.
Even if the Racial Justice Act is repealed, the issue will continue in 2012. Expect the more than 150 death-row inmates who have filed motions under the law to return with additional legal action based on their in-progress appeals.
See tomorrow's paper for more new stories to watch in 2012.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Gov. Beverly Perdue just announced her veto of Senate Bill 9, which essentially repealed the Racial Justice Act.
Here is her official statement:
“I am—and always will be—a strong supporter of the death penalty. I firmly believe that some crimes are so heinous that no other punishment is adequate. As long as I am Governor, I am committed to ensuring that the death penalty remains a viable punishment option in North Carolina in appropriate cases.”
“However, because the death penalty is the ultimate punishment, it is essential that it be carried out fairly and that the process not be infected with prejudice based on race. I signed the Racial Justice Act into law two years ago because it ensured that racial prejudice would not taint the application of the death penalty.”
“I am vetoing Senate Bill 9 for the same reason that I signed the Racial Justice Act two years ago: it is simply unacceptable for racial prejudice to play a role in the imposition of the death penalty in North Carolina.”
“Finally, it is important to be clear that the Racial Justice Act does not allow anyone to be released from prison or seek parole. Both my own legal counsel and legal experts from across the State have assured me that even if an inmate succeeds on a claim under the Racial Justice Act, his sole remedy is life in prison without the possibility of parole— and even that would only occur if a judge first finds that racial discrimination played a significant role in the application of the death penalty."
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
N.C. DOT holds public hearing Tuesday on new billboard law
The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 13, regarding a new state law that allows billboard companies and other outdoor advertisers to clear more trees around their signs.
The law has already been passed. But members of the public can now weigh in on how billboard owners should contribute to planting new trees, shrubs and other vegetation on the sides and medians of highways to help make up for what they removed.
Previous rules allowed billboard owners to trim trees within 250 feet of their signs to allow a clear view from roadways. The new state law, which took effect Sept. 1, maintains the 250-foot maximum on locally controlled roads or highways within city limits. But advertisers may now cut a swath up to 340 feet in front of signs on interstates and state-controlled access roads, even if they're inside city limits. Outside of city limits, the cutting zone expands to 380 feet. (Read an analysis from the N.C. League of Municipalities that summarizes the changes, PDF)
Early versions of the bill, which was passed last summer by the N.C. General Assembly, would have overruled local ordinances, including those banning digital billboards. But thanks to outcry from the public, the N.C. League of Municipalities and environmental groups, language that would have taken away local rights on signage were stripped from the bill before it passed.
Under the new law, billboard companies still must also follow local ordinances, such as those governing sign appearance and tree preservation. When they start cutting out trees, the billboard companies must also submit plans to the N.C. DOT to install new plants to compensate for the ones they removed.
How these plants will be replaced, and how close they have to be to the site that was cleared appears to be determined. According to a public hearing notice, the the N.C. DOT has to establish temporary rules on how to comply with the new law, including the replanting program, and it's on those temporary rules that the N.C. DOT is seeking public input.
Once established, the N.C. DOT will enforce the temporary rules while working on longer-term permanent guidelines.
The public and elected leaders across the state can chime in between now and Dec. 23 with input into how these billboard companies should compensate for tree-cutting, including what types of plants they should be required to replace.
Tuesday's hearing will be held in room 100A of Wake Commons, 4011 Carya Drive, in Raleigh.
Can't make the hearing? The public may submit comments to Helen Landi, 1501 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C., 27699-1501, fax them to (919) 733-9150, or email Landi at hlandi@ncdot.gov.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
North Carolina ranks 11th nationwide in hazardous air pollutant emissions, according to a report released today by the Environmental Integrity Project.
The report focuses on six toxic heavy metals—arsenic, chromium, lead, mercury, nickel and selenium—as well as hydrochloric acid gas. North Carolina ranked 11th in the nation for emissions of nickel, fifth for selenium and sixth for hydrochloric acid gas.
Long-term exposure to toxic chemicals can cause respiratory disorders, damage to the nervous and circulatory systems and a variety of cancers.
Monday, December 5, 2011
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson at Duke, N.C. Central tomorrow
What will the EPA's stance be on fracking? What are pending regulations on greenhouse gas emissions? How does the federal government regulate deep water drilling in light of the BP disaster?
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson will discuss current EPA policies and recent challenges to environmental laws in a presentation tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Duke University's Reynolds Theater, 125 Science Drive.
The event is sponsored by the Nicholas School of the Environment. It is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. For additional information, visit: www.nicholas.duke.edu/deanseries
Jackson is also touring N.C. Central University tomorrow morning at 8:30, followed by an 8:45 a.m. breakfast roundtable with business leaders and government officials at the N.C. Central School of Law.
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