Beaufort County
Republican Party
August 24, 2010
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Beaufort County Republican Party |
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Graduation Rates at Beaufort County County Schools
Al Klemm, Beaufort County Commissioner
One of the key indicators of school performance is the 4-year cohort graduation rate. Rates are based on the number of students who enter the 9th grade and graduate in 4 years. These rates are available for 2006, 2007 and 2008. The tables below indicate we have plenty of concerns in Beaufort County.
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2006 |
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School |
# Students |
# Graduates |
% Graduate |
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Northside High |
163 |
110 |
67.5% |
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Southside High |
139 |
81 |
58.3% |
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Washington High |
322 |
190 |
59.0% |
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Total |
624 |
381 |
61.1% |
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2007 |
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School |
# Students |
# Graduates |
% Graduate |
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Northside High |
137 |
98 |
71.5% |
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Southside High |
119 |
83 |
69.7% |
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Washington High |
264 |
177 |
67.0% |
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Total |
520 |
358 |
68.8% |
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2008 |
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School |
# Students |
# Graduates |
% Graduate |
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Northside High |
108 |
83 |
76.9% |
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Southside High |
135 |
92 |
68.1% |
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Washington High |
266 |
156 |
58.6% |
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Total |
509 |
331 |
65.0% |
Data derived from 2006byschool-attach4.pdf and grad-school.xls reports. Information in these reports contradicts information in grad_school.xls report. This does not paint a pretty picture of data accuracy on the Pubic Schools of North Carolina website.
The tables indicate two basic things. One, only two out of three students graduate and two, the percent of students graduating went down in 2008. This is unacceptable; we must improve. The table below indicates that Pitt County has more severe problems. Gang violence in Pitt County is increasing and the poor school performance probably has a lot to do with it.
Pitt County Public Schools
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2006 |
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School |
# Students |
# Graduates |
% Graduate |
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Ayden-Grifton High |
170 |
112 |
65.9% |
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DH Conley High |
346 |
241 |
69.7% |
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Farmville Central High |
201 |
138 |
68.7% |
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Junius H Rose High |
418 |
271 |
64.8% |
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North Pitt High |
261 |
159 |
60.9% |
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South Central High |
289 |
183 |
63.3% |
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Total |
1685 |
1104 |
65.5% |
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2007 |
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School |
# Students |
# Graduates |
% Graduate |
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Ayden-Grifton High |
175 |
100 |
57.1% |
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DH Conley High |
307 |
203 |
66.1% |
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Farmville Central High |
169 |
115 |
68.0% |
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Junius H Rose High |
350 |
255 |
72.9% |
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North Pitt High |
236 |
130 |
55.1% |
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South Central High |
306 |
188 |
61.4% |
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Average |
1543 |
991 |
64.2% |
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2008 |
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School |
# Students |
# Graduates |
% Graduate |
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Ayden-Grifton High |
240 |
129 |
53.8% |
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DH Conley High |
432 |
253 |
58.6% |
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Farmville Central High |
265 |
145 |
54.7% |
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Junius H Rose High |
509 |
297 |
58.3% |
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North Pitt High |
308 |
134 |
43.5% |
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South Central High |
415 |
213 |
51.3% |
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Average |
2169 |
1171 |
54.0% |
Another report from the North Carolina Public Schools website indicate that Beaufort County is rated 100 out of 115 school districts in 2008 in 4-year cohort graduation rate. Our neighbor, Pitt County is rated 110 out of 115 districts.
Our county deserves high performing schools. We have modern facilities and total cost per pupil was $8,150 per pupil in 2005-2006. This is above the state average of $7,596 per pupil for the same year. Our county local appropriation increased per student from 2004-2005 to 2005-2006 by 12.6%. By being generous to the Beaufort County schools, the Beaufort County Commission was sued for more money by the Beaufort County School Board. This resulted in the 4-year funding agreement between the Beaufort County Commission and the Beaufort County School Board.
This agreement is more than generous. The Beaufort County School Board has no basis to complain about inadequate funding.
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Fiscal Year |
Current Expense |
Capital Outlay |
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FY 2007-08 |
$10,750,000 |
$1,503,066 |
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FY 2008-09 |
$11,300,000 |
$1,503,066 |
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FY 2009-10 |
$11,843,000 |
$1,503,066 |
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FY 2010-11 |
$12,435,150 |
$1,503,066 |
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Beaufort County Schools should already have a strategic plan. If they do not, they should develop and implement a strategic plan identifying the BCPS mission, vision, and priorities. A strategic plan includes stated goals and objectives, with strategies to meet those established goals. Key indicators should be included to measure Beaufort County School’s success at achieving its goals. Increases in the graduation rates will benefit the students and the community.
If improvement does not occur, all citizens of Beaufort County should hold the Beaufort County School Board and Administration accountable.
Al Klemm, Beaufort County Commissioner |
