Wake County Schools Release Reassignment Plan One Year Early

is offering parents a first look at

the reassignment plan for the 2002-2003 academic year

.

For the first time, parents will be able to look at the plan, see how it affects their children and offer their views, before the school board reviews it.

In the past, the school board would receive the plan first, talk about it, sometimes ask for changes and then the parents could react at a public hearing. But many families were frustrated by that arrangement.

As a result, the school system is reversing the process, and school assignment leaders hope that will solve a lot of problems and calm emotions.

The proposal includes only the new schools scheduled to open in the fall of 2002 and existing schools being affected by the plan.

Parents can look at the plan on the school system's website and offer their comments. The administration will consider it allbefore the school board looks at a final proposal.

"We will get some good suggestions," says Ramey Beavers, director of student assignment. "I know because we always do. Parents understand their neighborhood [and] they understand the uniqueness of some neighborhoods probably far better than we do."

Nearly 1,800 students need to move to fill Middle Creek High School, Balentine Elementary and the Museum Magnet Middle School.

Parents have up to 60 days to study the plan and offer their comments online or in a letter.

Related Story:

March 20, 2000: Wake School Board Approves Reassignment Plan