A July 22 letter-writer had a great idea when he suggested that parents interested in diversity should send their kids to schools in Southeast Raleigh. Former school boards thought this was such a great idea that they implemented it. Students by the thousands leave their suburban and rich neighborhood schools (by choice) to attend downtown magnet schools.
This is an especially brilliant idea because it opens up overcrowded suburban neighborhood school seats at the same time that it fills downtown schools and balances income levels. Unfortunately, the new school board majority is poised to send magnet students back to their already overcrowded neighborhood schools, thereby exacerbating the problems of overcrowded schools in growing parts of the county and simultaneously impoverishing downtown schools.
Those who agree that this is a good idea should write their board members requesting that they keep magnet schools strong for the sake of all families in Wake County. It's a great way to use Wake County's limited resources to help solve two problems at once!
