CMS Releases New Survey For Student Assignment

CHARLOTTE, NC — “I wanted to make sure I filled it out,” says CMS parent Monica Pieri.

Today, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools released this survey.  Asking parents, students and community members how the school board should assign students to schools in the district.

“I thought it was good, worth it. Didn’t take that long, asked a lot of questions and they had a space, free form field for you to tell what your most important factor in school is,” says Pieri.

Student assignment is part of CMS’ effort to increase economic and racial diversity in schools.

A concept parent Monica Pieri agrees with.

“Maybe not for her, but for students that come from a lower socioeconomic background. They need to be able to be in schools where people have higher socioeconomic background so they can be given every chance to succeed,” says Pieri.

For some families, student assignment could mean kids will be sent to schools outside of their neighborhoods.

Julie Cho lives in rural south Charlotte, and says her kids already suffer.

“My kids go to the local elementary school now and spend an hour on the bus already. Middle school students are bused 2 hours already. That’s the logistics. Does everyone understand what’s going on there now?” says Cho.

And it’s the unknown that has some parents upset.

“I feel for them. I just feel like schools are always going to be rezoned, and you just have to have that in mind when you move to a new neighborhood and hope for the best,” says Pieri.