[Ncabs] Action Requirred: Hearing and Survey on Governor Morehead School and NC Schools for the Deaf

[Alan A. Chase]

Good Morning,

This e-mail requires urgent action and your immediate attention!

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction will hold three public hearings to seek public comment on the closure of one of the state's three residential schools for students with visual impairments or those who are deaf/hard of hearing.  Information on the dates and times are at the end of this e-mail.

If you are unable to attend, you may provide written feedback via an online survey found at: <http://ncdpiecd.inquisiteasp.com/cgi-bin/qwebcorporate.dll?idx=DK3H8G>.  The survey is available through September 30th.  Attached to this e-mail you will find some sample answers to the questions found on the survey. 

All public hearings will be held from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM. The dates and locations are as follows:

Tuesday, Sept. 20
City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium
401 South College Street, Morganton

Thursday, Sept. 22
Hardy Alumni Hall, Barton College
Located off Atlantic Christian Drive, Wilson

Wednesday, Sept. 28
Council Chamber, Rom 201
Avery C. Upchurch Government Complex
222 West Hargett Street, Raleigh

Interpreters will be provided at each hearing. Citizens wishing to speak will be allowed to sign up immediately prior to the beginning of the hearing. To allow as many people as possible to speak, each speaker will be allowed three minutes. 

If you plan to speak, please make sure your comments discuss one or some of the following topics.  These are the five areas the committee will evaluate to make it determination as to which school is closed.  If you don't plan to speak, please take time to attend the meeting to show your support and make our presence known as a united and strong force. 

1. Which school closure would minimize the impact on services to deaf and blind students currently served by the residential schools?

2. What two remaining residential schools would cost the least to modify to take on students from the closed school? Why?

3. Which school closure would create the most funds generated or saved due to avoiding costs and the sale or transfer of a school campus and other physical
assets?

4. Which school closure would minimize required travel for students of the school that is closed?

5. What are your views on the historical and cultural significance of one or more of the residential schools?

6. Other comments: 

The North Carolina General Assembly in July 2011 directed the Department of Public Instruction to close one residential school and consolidate services at the remaining two residential schools. The Department is required to report these recommendations to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by January 15, 2012. Effective July 1, 2012, the Department of Public Instruction will carry out the recommendation by closing one of the schools and consolidating its services with the remaining two schools.

The three residential schools are the NC School for the Deaf in Morganton, the Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh, and the Eastern NC School for the Deaf in Wilson.


--
Alan A. Chase, B.S.
Cross Categorical Resource Teacher, Wake County Public School System
Secretary, GMS Alumni Association Board of Directors
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