There was emotional conflict at a Monday night meeting on the subjectheld at Enloe High School. The school board had presented a plan that ithoped will balance the ethnic diversity of year-round schools which nowhave predominately white student bodies.
At Monday night's meeting, many parents said while they're not againstracial balance, they are tired of their children being forced torepeatedly change schools. More than 300 parents urged the board to scrapits proposal, saying they are tired of having their children bused allover Wake County.
Parent Annette Joyner expressed the emotions of many when she said thechildren are important, too.
The cry against busing crosses racial lines. Parent Diane Williams, whois white, agreed with Joyner, who is African-American.
While the proposal would correct extreme racial imbalances inyear-round classrooms, many parents say the plan is simply not fair.Parent Linda Fuller told the board she's concerned about opportunities forher children.
Parent Craig Brookins said the plan doesn't reflect what is found inthe community.
Concerned citizen Rev. William Newkirk spoke for several parents whenhe said the problem is the diversity policy, not thereassignment plan.
The board planned to vote on the reassignment issue at its regularmeeting Tuesday night. They could approve all the issues that have comeforward in two public hearings, or they could opt to approve only some ofthem. Only then will parents know if their arguments were heard.
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