In Monday’s Democratic gubernatorial debate, Bob Etheridge mentioned that his grandchild’s class at Root Elementary School in Wake County was being asked to raise $17 per child (later corrected to be $14 per child) to fund an additional teaching position.

Here are a few initial thoughts on the issue and the school itself:

1. Even if the nearly 500 kids that attend Root Elementary chipped in $14 each, I doubt that the $7,000 raised would go very far.  After all, the annual salary of a teacher with a bachelor’s degree and no experience is $34,462 not including benefits (Social Security-7.65%; Retirement-13.12%; and Hospitalization-$4,931).

2. Speaking of personnel, the Root Elementary School website lists the following positions:

  • Principal
  • Assistant Principal
  • School Secretary
  • Data Manager: Registration, School Records
  • Front Desk Receptionist
  • Nurse
  • School Counselor
  • School Psychologist
  • AU Pre-K (2)
  • Title 1 Pre-K (2)
  • Kindergarten (10)
  • First Grade (4)
  • Second Grade (3)
  • Third Grade (3)
  • Fourth Grade (3)
  • Fifth Grade (3)
  • AU/ED (K-2) (2)
  • AU/ED (3-5) (3)
  • PATHS (2)
  • CCR
  • Social Worker
  • Literacy (K-2)
  • Literacy (3-5)
  • Instructional Resource (IRT)
  • ESL
  • Academically Gifted (AG)
  • EPGY & First/Great Leaps
  • Speech
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Science Assistant
  • Art
  • Music
  • Library/Media
  • Physical Education
  • Technology
  • Early Arrivals Program (both are Kindergarten TAs)
  • Cafeteria (3)
  • Custodians (3)

It is possible that the school needs an additional teacher or teacher assistant to maintain its “small school” designation by Wake County, but it may be difficult for Etheridge to make the argument that Root is understaffed.

3. On a different note, I was also impressed by the amenities offered to Root Elementary School students.  According to the Wake County Schools website,

After recent renovations, Aldert Root Elementary boasts a beautiful new campus and facility equipped with cutting edge technology. The school now houses SMART boards, laptops, desktops, document cameras, and LCD projectors in every classroom. Students at Aldert Root also utilize two computer labs, flip cameras, and response pad clickers for assessing understanding. Three new playgrounds and an indoor climbing wall help students build healthy bodies and minds with a focus on upper body strength, balance, and coordination.

My child’s public elementary school in southern Wake County is not so well equipped, but he seems to be doing just fine.