CMS Previews Survey, New Goals for Student Assignment Plan
CHARLOTTE, NC — The Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board met Tuesday night to discussΒ and approve a new set of goals to guide the future student assignmentΒ plan.
It’s all part of a larger effort to increase economic and racialΒ diversity in the district. Β For some families,Β student assignment means kids will be sent to schools outside of their neighborhoods.
“The way the process is, just flawed in my opinion,” says school boardΒ member Rhonda Lennon.
Lennon not happy with the way the goals were drafted.
“It was not vetted in front of the communityΒ with the full board,” says Lennon.
“I disagree. We’ve takenΒ steps, taped policy meetings, posted them online,” says board member Ericka Ellis-Stewart.
A summary of the goals include:
-Reducing the number of high poverty schools.
-Preserving and expanding schools where students are achieving.
-Providing different school assignments to students at schools that areΒ not meeting performance standards by the state.
-Maximize the use of school facilities, transportation and other operational resources to reduce overcrowding.
“My biggest fear is there is aΒ plan that gets approved, and doesn’t make sense from a logistical senseΒ for parents and isn’t based on what’s really going on right now,” saysΒ Julie Cho.
CMS says they do want the input from parents, students and communityΒ leaders, and released a survey to get feedback before their final voteΒ on the goals.
“Very lively discussion going on. Β I appreciateΒ this and the discussion we’re having tonight, and I look forward to theΒ public hearing,”Β says CMS Board Chair, Mary McCray.
