Parents Speak Out Against Wake Reassignment Plan

Apex, N.C. — At a forum Tuesday night, parents voiced their frustration with the largest school expansion plan ever presented to the Wake County School Board.

Wake County administrators are proposing to shift more than 11,000 students to other schools. Officials said they are bracing for 8,000 additional students for the next school year. But those facts are mixed with emotions and accusations as many parents face wrenching change.

“That's illegal, folks, and it isn't working,” said parent Glenn Miller at the forum held at Middle Creek High in Apex.

“I do not want to send my children to a school next year and then they have to be reassigned again,” said parent Elke Brand.

If the entire reassignment goes through, it would affect 93 elementary and middle schools. The administration's proposal would convert 19 elementary schools and three middle schools to a year-round schedule.

“I want to be on the track that I went though with my daughter for my son,” said parent Lore Gottberg.

“It's just going be a hardship on our family, financially, for vacations and everything,” said parent Tina Jackson.

Paula Boehm has two children who'd be reassigned.

“I'm counting on the fact that this reassignment will not go through,” Boehm said.

Boehm said she’s counting on her words to make a difference with the school board.

“It doesn't always work out in everybody's favor, but we do hear everyone and do our best to make the best plan we can,” said school board member Lori Millberg.

More public hearings are scheduled in the next two weeks. The board said it hopes to take a final vote on the reassignment plan on Feb. 6.