Raleigh, N.C. — The Wake County Public School System says a complaint against the school board by the Wake County Taxpayers Association is without merit.

The Taxpayers Association – a nonpartisan group that has historically supported conservative candidates – filed the complaint in September, accusing the Democrat-controlled board, in part, of "continued mismanagement," "lack of governance" and "hasty decisions" that caused a "climate of fear and intimidation" in Wake County.

"Contrary to the unfounded allegations in the complaint, (the school board) has operated openly and transparently and solicited input at every turn from staff and community stakeholders," the school system said in a 28-page response to the complaint.

Part of the Taxpayers Association's complaint had to do with the board's controversial decision to review the district's new three-year student assignment plan.

"Even in the area of student assignment – where board members have admittedly had strong, but good-faith, disagreements as to what is in the best interests of students – the board has engaged in healthy and robust debate in accordance with established processes and sought consensus wherever possible," the school system wrote in its report.

Since a March 2011 report in which AdvancED found that the then-Republican-controlled school board created a "climate of uncertainty, suspicion and mistrust throughout the community, the school system has worked to adopt a strategic plan and provided board members training on their roles and responsibilities – requirements necessary for the school district to retain its accreditation.

"The board is not perfect, but it understands the fundamentals of good governance, works through contentious issues and strives for continual improvement," the school system said.