the croal dude report 2.0: do something about it
TRANSCRIPT
The Croal Dude Report 2.0
Do Something About ItBy:
November 4, 2014
Part 1◦ Robert Pittenger’s real estate development efforts
have compromised our educational system Part 2
◦ The distraction of unnecessary redistricting has consumed energy that is needed for under-privileged children and under-performing schools
Part 3◦ Mike Croal’s solution ideas for the United States of
America
Contents
District 9 includes◦ Western Union County ◦ South Charlotte ◦ Huntersville◦ Caldwell, Hopewell◦ Cornelius, Davidson◦ Lake Norman◦ Mooresville◦ Troutman
Please share and discuss
Cook PVI scale of political
leaning
NC District 9 = R+10
Round One◦ Timeline of Lawson neighborhood land deals◦ Timeline of Cuthbertson High/Middle School land deals◦ Effect of redistricting to increase profits for Round One
Round Two◦ Timeline of Old Waxhaw-Monroe Rd land deals
Part 1-Pittenger’s Land Deals
2002
Robert Pittenger acquires 558 acres that will become Lawson
In the beginning
1991
Robert Pittenger sells 342 acres to Pace-Dowd Properties
Lawson
Future home of
Fury unleashed
2002-03
Remainder of Lawson N/S deeded to Pace Dowd
Lawson begins
8/15/2005
Buy & Hold
1991
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2003/Bills/House/PDF/H705v4.pdf
State Senator Pittenger votes for HB705 allowing Waxhaw to annex Lawson
6/24/2003
Dec 2000: Lewis Family Limited Partnership formed by Evelyn Lewis, owns the land for Cuthbertson HS/MS, 215.2 acres
2003: Now State Senator Pittenger introduces House Bill June 2006: Land appraises for $70,000 / acre 7/5/06: Lewis Family LP converted to West Fork Farm LLC, with
William J. Lewis organizing 7/18/06: Cuthbertson Farm LLC organized by William J. Lewis
◦ Deemed not in compliance 3/13/2010◦ Administratively dissolved 9/2/2010 for failure to file an annual report◦ Never did file one. Ever.
7/18/06: West Fork Farm LLC (William J Lewis) deeds the land to Cuthbertson Farm LLC (William J Lewis)
10/23/06: Asking price now $80,000 / acre approved by BOE 1/5/07: Cuthbertson Farm LLC grants deed to Union County BOE
for $17million plus $200,000 in Land Broker fee
Juicing the System
Timeline View
2002-03
$174 million dollars to spend on “new schools” and “additions and renovations”
Lawson N/S
Aug 2005Katrina
2006 School Bond Referendum Passes
2006 November
Cuthbertson
Land Bought
Buy & Hold
1991
Annexed
Location, Location, Location
Year Built High School State line or Closest County line
Closest High School when Built
1960 Forest Hills 11.3 6.31960 Monroe 10.7 6.3 1960 Piedmont 4.9 8.71960 Sun Valley 10.8 8.41962 Parkwood 5.6 7.92000 Weddington 5.3 5.42005 Porter Ridge 7.6 4.42006 Marvin Ridge 0.9 4.42009 Cuthbertson 3.6 2.0
Distances in Miles
Temporary Access
2002-03
55 Neighborhoods Redistricted TO Cuthbertson
Lawson
2005
KatrinaSchool Bond
2006 Apr 2008
Source: UCPS document “MS/HS ‘C’ Affected Subdivisions 4/15/2008
Aug2009
Cuthbertson HS/MS opens
Crash2008
Buy & Hold
1991
These 55 subdivisions were pulled into the initial opening of Cuthbertson HS & MS.
Redistrict into Cuthbertson
Get Back to Where you Once Belonged
2002-03
Lawson
2005
KatrinaSchool Bond
2006 2008Redistrict Into
Source: UCPS Redistricting Maps, Jan 2014
Aug2009Cuth opens
Crash2008
BOE / BOCCFight over money
Nov2013 Jan2014
Buy & Hold
1991
Redistrict out of Cuthbertson
40 months later they were asked to leave.
Annexed Redistricting buzz
2013
Nov 6 UCPS talks reassignment
Nov 15
Robert Pittenger Co signs but does not file Deed for large swath of land in Waxhaw
2014
Jan 14 UC BOE approves reassignment plan
Mar 4 BOE votes for Reassignment
Jun 16 BOCC reads 1st draft of tax increase, “counts” votes
Jun 25 R.P. Co files Deed
Jun 30 FY15 begins w/ 15.4% tax
The Rest of the Story
20052006
20072008
20092010
20112012
2013
-30%-20%-10%
0%10%20%30%40%50%
Education50%
-35%
120%
Union County Year-over-Year Expense Growth by Program
20052006
20072008
20092010
20112012
2013
-30%-20%-10%
0%10%20%30%40%50%
Human Services
20052006
20072008
20092010
20112012
2013
-30%-20%-10%
0%10%20%30%40%50%
Public Safety
20052006
20072008
20092010
20112012
2013
-30%-20%-10%
0%10%20%30%40%50%
57%Interest/fees on debt
20052006
20072008
20092010
20112012
2013
-30%-20%-10%
0%10%20%30%40%50%
General Govt
20052006
20072008
20092010
20112012
2013
-30%-20%-10%
0%10%20%30%40%50%
Cultural&Recreation
Waxhaw Current Zoning
Lawson
Millbridge
Cuthbertson H.S. / M.S.
What’s hiding behind those 3 potential park sites down south?
Besides Medium-Density Residential.
Lawson
Millbridge
H.S. / M.S.
Source: http://www.waxhaw.com/DocumentCenter/View/771
Round Two
Nov 2003, 30 acres rezoned for School use
http://www.pittengercompany.com/customers/106010412104118/filemanager/Highway_75_LLC.pdf
Facilities are insufficient Minority and low-income students can’t be
taught English Awards given as political cover Board of Education allowing this on their watch
Part 2-A Failed Education System
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0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
ALL Proficiency % EDS % LEP
Elementary School Proficiency
UCPS Average
26 months Dr. Ellis on the job 8 scheduled Curriculum Committee meetings 4 with posted minutes 36 Board of Education meetings 40+ Opportunities to talk about 3 elementary
schools where less than 20% of children are proficient◦ Benton Heights ◦ East◦ Walter Bickett
2 times discussed improving learning
By the numbers
10 mentions because meeting’s were held there◦ 1 for a NC Dept. of Instruction visit when scores
jumped from 54% to 72% 17 awards and recognitions
◦ 3 awards or mentions were athletics at Monroe HS 1 for teacher’s residence purchase 1 for being awarded a Title 1 school
designation 3 for being recognized for outstanding
performance with scores of 46%, 44%, 59%
Expanded by the numbers
Meeting Topic
3/5/13
Attended curriculum conference at PinehurstBudget cuts to all Title I programsCreating marketing brochures to compete with charter schoolsThere will be 4-5 CNA academies and Teacher Prep in all HSs
4/19/13Announces freeze on teacher assistant positionsDiscussed with superintendents of other large systems about a NC House Bill concerning growth
5/7/13 Guest speaker at Union County Republican Women’s ClubAttended legislature reception “to talk about several things”
6/4/13
Will have to cut 13 Early College teachers and 15 EC assistantsMay have to cut 65 to 85 teacher assistantsSpeaker at the League of Women VotersInvited to the Governor’s Mansion
7/2/13 Meeting with supers of the other large school districts to “gather information for their agenda”
What does Dr. Ellis talk about?
Meeting Topic
8/6/13Going to Washington D.C. to talk about MSLsRaised Driver’s Education fee 22% to $55Produced 27,000 pages of documents for County Commission
9/3/13 Since Aug 13 the majority of my time has been spent in court“Every child should receive a sound basic education”
11/12/13
Spoke at Sardis Elementary about leadershipMet with Dr. Ed DavisInvited to speak at legislatures retreatTest scores are 2nd highest in the state
12/10/13Need 28 teachers but PowerSchool issues keeping class sizes too largeProposes 1% salary increase to non-certified staff
What else does Dr. Ellis talk about?
Meeting Topic
1/7/14Reports that NC DPI 3rd grade reading goals are unreasonableReceived letter from SVHS Principal concerning leaking roofsAsked to speak with the NC General Assembly
2/4/14
Hosted NC DPI and UCPS principalsSpoke to legislators on amount of end of year testingTalked to State rep about 20 academies in UCPSWorking on master’s degrees for teachers in hard to fill spotsRecommend using 3rd grade reading assessment different than NC DPI
More Dr. Ellis talk
Meeting Type Topic
3/5/13 Board Adopt resolution to keep property and facilities out of county’s hands
8/6/13 Board Savage gives up her seat on the Facilities Committee to John CollinsStewart commented he has never been prouder.
11/12/13 Board
Dr. Webb reports on caps at Kensington, Marvin Ridge MS, Porter Ridge MSMcKibben report due in DecemberStewart motions to cap-Hodge/Savage oppose, 7-2Board reminded to complete Dr. Ellis’s evaluations
11/25/13 Facility No discussion on reassignment, just waiting
12/10/13 Board
Stewart requests info on available seats and capacity optionsMotion to extend Dr. Ellis contract-Collins/Stewart, 7-0Motion to extend all senior staff contracts, including adding 4 years to money man Dan K’s contract-Collins/Stewart 7-0
12/19/13 Curriculum Dr. Ellis reported that the SPLASH program would be put on hold until “after redistricting is complete”
1/6/14 Facilities No bubble after this 5 year bubble
1/7/14 Board 4 of 6 speakers speak out against redistricting1 of the other 2 is Gary Sides announcing his candidacy for BOE
1/14/14 Facilities Releases first round of redistricting maps
BOE Redistricting Talk
Meeting Type Topic
2/18/14 BOE Work
Rejects BOCC $3MM for trailers instead of redistrictingStewart directs Ellis to develop a strategic plan to account for growth and renovations. And have it ready in a week for 2/25 Facilities mtg.
2/25/14 Facilities13 minute open meetingNo mention of the plan assigned to Ellis the week priorNo discussion of redistricting
2/27/14 Hearing At Monroe HS, 3 hours of 3 minute speakers with 95% against reassignment
3/3/14 Hearing At Parkwood HS, 3 hours of 3 minute speakers with 95% against reassignment
3/4/14 Facilities Discuss spending jury award and Public-Private partnerships
3/4/14 Board Redistricting approved, 7-2 Savage/Hodge oppose
9/2/14 Board
Dr. Ellis gets $12,000 raise for going along Dr. Webb gets $10,000 raise for going alongAttorney Morris gets $10,000 raise for going alongShelton Jefferies gets $7,500 raise for going along
BOE Redistricting Talk
Empty Elementary Schools
Source: UCPS 2014 20th Day Statistics
-27
Empty Middle Schools
Healthcare◦ Govt spot citizens healthcare dollars at life milestones◦ Citizens pay back with payroll tax◦ End ACA, Medicaid and Medicare and the overhead
Border Security◦ Patrol non-border crossing areas with drones◦ Non-lethally turn back anyone that tries to cross
Illegal Aliens◦ Exchange probation for documentation for illegals with no
other criminal activity except entering the USA illegally Energy
◦ Convert 18-wheelers from diesel to natural gas
Part 3-Mike Croal Solutions
2nd Amendment◦ Whatever you can carry without needing wheels◦ 3x penalties for crimes committed with guns◦ Hold gun owners responsible for gun control
Privacy◦ Heavy fines when data is not encrypted
Benefits◦ Require periodic reenrollment ◦ Means test, make the successful whole, cease
Part 3-Mike Croal Solutions
Equal Pay◦ Let unions handle it where they exist◦ Require it for government jobs◦ Government regulations are not the answer for private
sector equal pay◦ Government can provide more data for private jobs and
let citizens make choices of careers and companies to work for
Abortion◦ Life begins at conception and ends at natural death◦ There can never be a law tight enough to end all abortions◦ Provide an environment of hope and the pursuit of
happiness
Part 3-Mike Croal Solutions
Same Sex Unions◦ Clearly homosexual unions
are not the same as heterosexual unions
◦ It is something different than Marriage
◦ There should be a legal framework for same sex couples but defaulting to calling it Marriage is the politically expedient solution to a complex problem
Part 3-Mike Croal Solutions
• Eliminate marriage tax benefit• Create legal framework to
allow• Medical info sharing• Asset transition• Other “equality”
Before or on November 4, 2014