Parents voice concerns about upcoming Wake Schools assignment vote

Wake County Public School System parents had their last chance to speak out about student assignment Thursday night before next Tuesday’s scheduled school board vote on the issue.

While few people expressed outright opposition to the plan, many of the 32 people who spoke at Broughton High School said the school board should slow down and delay approving the plan.

“As a board we understand the impact of student assignment on families,” Board Chair Ron Margiotta said at the beginning of the meeting.

The perspectives and concerns at the public hearing varied.

"My daughter asked me a simple question as I was going to work today, 'Daddy, why can't I go to the same schools as my two brothers?’” said Tim Burnett of Raleigh.

"I'm concerned that the entire climate at some schools within the county will be changed because of this plan,” said Jody Gross of Raleigh.

The board’s speed about making a decision was a common thread throughout several speakers’ messages.

"I don't feel it’s ready yet for a vote,” said Edith Cowper of Cary.

"I urge you to slow down,” said Kella Hatcher of Cary.

Some parents said they do not have enough information about the plan, its cost or impact.

"After reviewing the materials, I felt as if I had gotten a DVD from Netflix, watched all the special features, the extra scenes, the making of the movie, the director's commentary, without actually seeing the movie itself,” said Greg Flynn of Raleigh.

Many opposed to next week’s vote cited the newly elected, but not yet installed, board members who won’t have a say next week.

"Everybody has a wound.  Let's get it right now and move these people up there and start talking,” said Laura Broadbelt of Holly Springs.

“What is the harm in allowing the public have a closer look. What is the harm in allowing the new board members the time to address these issues? Unfortunately, this feels like a forced feeding,” said Stephany Enders of Cary.

Superintendent Tony Tata said delaying the vote would throw off the timeline for the process 

"We've got to have the logistical time to implement the plan. So, if you wait until December, the real bill-payers are the parents and students. And this has been focused on taking care of parents and students. The last thing we would want to do, or should want to do, is delay beyond next week,” he said.

“If you delay anywhere, then ultimately what you end up doing is delaying head counts for schools and then you delay delivery of teacher months of employment and you delay delivery of funds and then you don’t have it all situated in time for principals to begin hiring the best teachers to cover the new student demand. We really need to follow our timeline. We’ve looked hard at this timeline,” Tata said.

NBC-17 was first to report that newly elected board member Susan Evans, who ousted Margiotta in the election, is calling for a postponement of Tuesday’s vote. Fellow board newcomer Jim Martin agreed.

"I very much believe that to vote on Tuesday would be premature and that's not because of me being a new board member. If you listened to the community tonight ... they were neither for nor against. They clearly stated there are serious questions that have not been addressed,” he said.

Christine Kushner, who also won a seat on the board this week, was not immediately available for comment Thursday night.