Parents Speak Out At Public Forum Against Student Assignment
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Many parents used this public forum in front of the Charlotte Mecklenburg school board as a chance to speak out against student assignment.
“Students need help where they live they need stability and predictability, dismantling successful schools carefully chosen by parents will not fix the fundamental problems of failing schools,” said one parent.
With hundreds packed inside the Government center, it was an emotional night.
Many applauded and often booed as dozens of speakers shared their thoughts and experiences on the subject.
The debate over student assignment broke into two parts.
Parents not wanting to send their kids to schools outside their neighborhood:
“To rip him out of that school away from his friends, get on the bus for two hours a day to attend a school that he really doesn’t know anyone, what does that do to my son? How come I’m not hearing about that?” said one angry parent.
To parents and teachers who say it increases economic and racial diversity in classrooms:
“I stand here before you having seen the exact opposites this school district has re-segregated among race and socio-economic groups.Β Where the experience of our children are vastly different depending on the zip code behind their address,” said one Charlotte school teacher.
