Wake County has spent 50 years attempting to equalize opportunity through education. Those of us who pursue this lofty goal realize we have not succeeded. However, progress has been made, and we hope to continue forward instead of go backward. Where would Wake County be if our schools had remained "separate but equal"?
Access to good schools based on wealth, race and proximity is separate but hardly equal. The actions of our new school board will lead to marginalized schools filled with poor and minority students who no longer have access to schools throughout the community. Magnet programs will be removed when AP and IB are no longer in demand. Families who don't live in a good zone will send their children to the best private schools they can afford, further undermining the public support for public schools.
As more families flee poor zones, overcrowding in wealthy districts will require additional taxes for new school construction, while older schools are neglected. Will there be money left over for improving the plight of students left behind in the bad schools? No.
