I have been following the Wake school debate and wondering whether having students attend schools closer to home was justification for ending a diversity policy that I understood was getting national attention for its trailblazing efforts.

However, after reading Rick Martinez's column Aug. 18, I was astounded at the graduation rates for Wake County. Facts that should make us wonder whether the diversity program is really in the best interest of any Wake student. Hard cold figures cannot be ignored.

It seems that male black students are in need of help they are not getting. They seem to have gotten lost in the heat of the battle. Helping these students is Wake's real challenge. And diversity obviously is not cutting it.

Would it be possible for the debate to give way to finding a solution to help those most in need?

Patsy McLamb

Goldsboro