The Wake County School Board rejected further consideration to a move that would affect thousands of Wake County students.
In a Tuesday work session, board members debated the final phase of the 3-year assignment plan voted on more than two years ago. The session was held for board members to hear staff recommendations in an effort to hash out details about where more than 3,200 students will go to school next year, as well as how to fill seats at the new Walnut Creek Elementary School.
Board member, John Tedesco, made a motion to discuss adding the reassignment of approximately 6,000 students, not originally slated for reassignment, in the final year of the multi-year assignment plan to next year’s plan. As a result, thousands of students would be moved to schools closer to their homes in Southeast Raleigh.
“I am going to try and bring our kids home. It’s what I’ve been fighting for all along. There are 14,000 school districts in America and 13,900 use neighborhood schools. It’s not a radical idea. Bring our kids home,” said Tedesco.
The issue faced strong opposition from board member, Keith Sutton.
“Being that we are in the teeth of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, it would be unreasonable and irresponsible to move that many students, again particularly African American students,” said Sutton.
Board member, Chris Malone says many of the students would come from families requesting a reassignment next year.
“It doesn’t matter who it is, it doesn’t matter how we classify them. Anybody that has put in to be changed, we should take a look at… I believe that those people out there who want their nodes changed have a right to expect that they are going to be heard. I understand why some people may not want them to be heard but that’s not up to them,” said Malone.
Democratic board members and Vice Charwoman, Debra Goldman, voted to stop further discussion on the issue. Goldman broke with GOP allies saying she had concerns that the suggestions to move Southeast Raleigh students came too heavily from families wanting those students out of their schools, not the families themselves.
Until a plan is made final, the public will be allowed to share their comments and concerns during five public hearings scheduled for January. Friday, staff will mail letters to families who may be affected by next year’s changes.
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