Parent of reassigned student: I'm not happy but we adjust

Now one Holly Springs family is sharing how a school reassignment has affected their son.

The hit came last year, for the Deshazor Family. Chris Deshazor's son, Jordan, expected to attend Holly Springs High School this Monday, but he was re-assigned to Apex-Friendship High School instead.

“We are traveling past the school where he was going to get to the new school,” said Deshazor.

The reassignment has moved Jordan away from the friends and the community he grew up with.

“He is a little upset about leaving his friends,” said Deshazor. Apex-Friendship is the product of continued growth in student numbers in Wake County.

Most moves in a reassignment proposal slated for the 2016-17 school year are also intended to fill new schools.

“So, we are opening five new schools,” said Wake County Public School System senior director of student assignment, Laura Evans.

Ripple effects will be felt by about 40 schools, many of which are in fast-growing areas in Western Wake County. Other reassignments will ease overcrowding and improve transportation efficiency.

“That is an impact to families,” said school board member, Susan Evans.

Each time these reassignments happen, parents somewhere are not happy. Deshazor protested his child’s move, as other parents may likely do soon.

“We were told no, no, no. We could not stay at the school in which my son was already going,” said Deshazor.

But, he admits, his son's new school is pretty nice and he has heard great things about the principal there.

“I am not happy about it, but we adjust and Jordan will be fine,” said Deshazor.

Next year's reassignment plan is only in its first of three drafts. Public comment will be accepted along the way.