I believe the Sanford Herald added an extra zero - the trip costs are only $700 per person, so 2 people = $1,500 (not $15,000). The one-time fee is $5,000 per school, so if all 3 high schools participated, it would cost $15,000. The benefit to the system for the program in all 3 schools would be $550,000 over 3 years. Nearby school systems (at least Chapel Hill and Durham) already offer Mandarin Chinese. I believe this is a reasonable use of taxpayer money, leveraging a small expense for a large benefit that will make our system (and our county) more competitive.
from November 2 School Board meeting
http://www.chatham.k12.nc.us/board/meetings/2009-2010/11_02_09_boemtg/Agenda%20Item-Chinese%20Bridge%20Delegation.pdf
Synopsis of Agenda Item (Overview & Purpose)As you are probably aware, one-fifth of North Carolina’s foreign trade is with China. Governor Perdue and a team of state officials and business leaders are presently visiting China. The North Carolina Center for International Understanding is coordinating a program to bring global opportunities to North Carolina schools. State Board members and selected LEAs are being recruited to participate in this program. Chatham County Schools has been asked to participate. A first step would be to compile a five member team of school board members and central office administrators for an eight day visit to China scheduled for December 2-10 of this year.
Considering the budget crisis, my first response was thank you, but we will not be participating. Repeated contacts by the Center’s director followed up by clarification of how the school district would benefit, resulted in my quickly pulling together a team and making application. Based on availability I have asked Mr. Hamm, Mrs. McManus, Dr. McCoy, and Dr. Hester to serve with me on this team. I do not know
what other school districts have applied or have been accepted.
Benefits to the school district are great and the $700 in-kind cost minor in comparison. Beginning in 2010/2011 schools who are involved will receive: A Chinese language teacher for three years, 1000 volumes of Chinese language materials, $10,000 per year for three years in support of the program, and a school partnership (along with technical and curricular support from the Center) with a school in Jiangsu Province. The overall investment by our schools would be $5000 per school (one-time program fee), plus
about $2,000 in travel costs. The estimated benefit to the school district would be over $550,000, if all three high schools were to be involved. It would be my goal to offer Mandarin Chinese in our three high schools for three years. Additionally, to start student and teacher exchange programs with the schools in the Jiangsu Province. We talk about world class education and opportunities; this would be a world class
program for our students. Only 45 North Carolina schools will be recruited to participate in this program.
The team of five has made application to participate. The total cost for the team would be $3,500 for program fees and domestic airfare to the point of US departure. Overseas airfare, hotel accommodations, food, etc. would all be covered by the Hanban Foundation.
Our challenge, all paperwork (passports, etc.) for the team must be in by November 7th. Due to our late application, I have now found that they are accepting pieces of or individual members of teams rather than the entire team, and placing others on a waiting list. As of the time of this writing, I am the only one of our team who has been accepted. We may wish to discuss how to proceed with this opportunity.
Organizational Impact (Academic, Fiscal & Personnel)Participating in the Chinese language partnership program would allow Chatham County Schools to start Chinese language programs in our schools and school partnerships with Chinese schools. The overall financial benefit to the school district would be over $550,000 over a three year period.
From the Board meeting summary (minutes not yet available)
http://ds1.chatham.k12.nc.us/pressrel.nsf/6d65c301f0ed8be785257163004d2765/4d0a1f54f518a853852576620077f271?OpenDocumentChinese Bridge delegation – The N.C. Center for International Understanding is coordinating a program to bring global opportunities to North Carolina schools. Following an invitation, Chatham County Schools has applied to be part of the program along with other school district and state education officials. Last week Superintendent Logan and Dr. Robin McCoy, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services, learned they had been selected to make the trip to China in early December. The program will select forty-five schools across the state to participate. Superintendent Logan’s goal is for the three traditional high schools in Chatham County Schools to be selected to participate. A three-year opportunity to offer Mandarin Chinese language study at these schools would be one aspect of the program. The school system would receive $550,000 in resources from a Chinese foundation.
