Vote on Wake student assignment plan expected Oct. 18

But the special task force that's spent months working on the plan will continue to seek feedback on it at a public hearing scheduled for 5 p.m. Oct. 13 at Broughton High School.

"During the process of developing this proposal, we've had 19 public information meetings, more than 2,700 online comments and more than 21,000 participants in a test of an early student assignment concept," Superintendent Tony Tata said in a statement.

He added that public feedback has been an important factor in improving the proposal, which will go to the school board on Tuesday for review.

The plan, which replaces the district's longstanding practice of busing students, allows parents to choose from a variety of schools based on their address. It also takes into account achievement balance and capacity at each school.

If approved, it would go into effect for the 2012-13 school year.

Online registration for the public hearing begins at the school system's website at 9 a.m. on Oct. 8. Anyone interested in speaking can also sign up at the door between 4 p.m. and 4:50 p.m. on the day of the hearing

Speakers are limited to two minutes.