Legal limbo keeps letters about year-round schools flying

Raleigh, N.C. — Some Wake County parents might get a fourth form about their child's school assignment for next year because of a new temporary court ruling that affects how students are placed in year-round schools.

On Thursday, the state Supreme Court stayed the effect of an appeals court ruling that the district does not need parental consent to send students to year-round schools. A lawsuit that WakeCARES filed in March 2007 has kept the issue in the courts.

"It's frustrating, because you're trying to make your plans, your kids are asking about summer, and you can't answer their questions," parent Laura Kehn said.

The Wake County Public School System first sent home fliers about options for the 2008-09 school year with 30,000 year-round students, complying with Superior Court Judge Howard Manning's May 2007 order to get parental consent.

This spring, school officials also mailed 2,800 consent forms to the parents of students being reassigned to year-round schools.

Kehn said she faces two options she does not like: Switch her three children to a year-round schedule at their neighborhood elementary school, or opt to send them to an alternative, traditional school.

"This opt-out ... is not really a viable option, because it's over 20 miles away from my home," Kehn said.

Two weeks ago, however, the state Court of Appeals reversed Manning's ruling. School officials sent out another 2,800 fliers informing parents of the decision.

"The next thing you now, we get another letter," Kehn said. "And the first thing that goes through my head is just, like, 'Wow, they spent a lot of money just mailing the second letter out to reverse the situation.'"

WCPSS officials said they have spent $5,556 to do that so far, including postage and help from temporary workers.

Now, the stay from the state Supreme Court could prompt a fourth round of letters to parents who have not yet chosen either traditional or year-round option, said members of the WCPSS Board of Education.

"It's frustrating for the teachers, for the principals, because they don't how to hire or what numbers to hire next year," school board member Horace Tart said. "Teachers don't know where they're going to be."

School board members will hold a special meeting Tuesday to discuss their reaction to the court-issued stay, including a legal filing by attorneys, Tart said.

The school board took a week to resolve legal issues about consent forms after Manning's May 3, 2007, ruling. Those forms were mailed to students at 22 schools that were slated to move to a year-round calendar.

Whatever action the WCPSS chooses to take this time, parents said the back-and-forth is frustrating as they make tough choices.

Under the current assignment plan for 2008-09, students registering after June 1 or not returning a consent letter by that date will be assigned to a year-round school.

"I don't see either option as a viable option for our family without incurring hardship and a lot of stress," Kehn said.

The Supreme Court's order is in effect while the court decides whether to hear arguments about the Appeals Court decision.