Dave DeWitt

Educators across the state are reacting to the state budget making its way through the legislature today. 

 Wake County Superintendent Tony Tata prepared his budget on the premise that the state’s largest school district would receive 5 percent less than it did the previous year from the state. The current budget is more like 6 percent. But Tata isn’t complaining. 

 The State Board of Education voted unanimously on a resolution that sharply criticizes the budget passed by the state senate today. They say it will lead to thousands of teachers and teacher assistants being laid off. 

Officials with Wake County Schools are visiting high schools across the county this week. They are holding public hearings on two very different proposed student assignment plans.

Two bonds being considered by the Raleigh City Council may end up on the ballot this fall. If passed, they would total $52 million for transportation and housing projects.

The transportation bond would be the largest, at $37 million. It would include the usual road paving projects, but for the first time, a transportation bond would also include money for greenways and bike lanes. Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker explained the need when he gave his state of the city address in March.

Wayne Early Middle College High School will hold its graduation tonight in Goldsboro. The school is one of many early college high schools graduating students who already have some college credit. 

  Residents in Wake County will finally get a chance to review nine proposed student assignment plans. The choices will be posted later today on the schools’ website. The plans were developed by a special task force made up of school district staff.  Wake County Schools Superintendent Tony Tata says it’s time for the public to get involved. 

  Wake Forest University officials are reacting to a report that aired yesterday on The Today Show. In the story, former student Maggie Hurt claims the school mishandled a sexual assault investigation in 2009. 

  Governor Bev Perdue is finishing up a whirlwind tour of the state this week, touting the importance of public education. She is on the road as the state legislature considers cutting the education budget by nearly $1 billion.

At the center of the debate is a temporary one-cent sales tax. Enacted in 2009, it is set to end in June. Republicans want to let it lapse, the Governor and education advocates want it continued.

  Duke will celebrate the life and work of Reynolds Price today. Price died in January at the age of 77.   

Colleagues, students, and friends will gather this afternoon at Duke Chapel to remember one of the school’s most beloved writers and teachers. They are expected to read from some of Price’s work, tell their favorite stories, and listen to music performances. 

Raleigh will host a benefit concert for tornado victims. The city hopes to raise money to give to charities, including the Salvation Army and the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle.  

The “Rise Up Raleigh concert” will include 11 bands and take place at the Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater - just 200 yards north of a spot where one of the tornadoes touched down.