Wake school assignment policy up to voters in October

tgoldsmith@newsobserver.com

Two weeks from today, Wake County voters will settle - at least for the next two years - the arguments that have divided the state's biggest school district. The debate is over how students should be assigned to schools.

On Oct. 11, voters will decide on five of the nine Wake County school board seats.

The election will determine which direction the school board takes in the new student assignment plan in the 2012-13 school year.

At the heart of the campaign: Diversity.

Before the 2009 election, Wake balanced the percentages of low-income students at individual schools. The practice, which required thousands of students to take long buses rides, also promoted racial diversity.

Critics of that policy complained it didn't promote neighborhood schools and wasn't helping low-income students academically.

The Republican board majority that swept into office after the 2009 elections discontinued the policy in favor of a move toward neighborhood schools.

Superintendent Tony Tata is developing a plan that would let families pick where they want their children to attend school. Proximity is one priority in the new plan. Another is promoting diversity by trying to avoid having too many low-performing students at schools.

Voters will decide whether they agree with the moves or put more emphasis on diversity.

Republicans hope to increase their 5-4 majority. Democrats want to win all five seats to regain control.

The GOP-backed candidates support the emphasis on proximity but question whether diversity should be used.

The Democratic candidates are talking about modifying the new assignment plan to put a greater emphasis on diversity to avoid creating high-need schools. Tata will present a final plan to the school board next week. But there probably won't be a vote on it until after the election. So it'll be up to the candidates who win on Oct. 11.