CHARLOTTE -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board members have a meeting planned for this Thursday on student assignment, but unexpectedly decided to release their guiding principles on student assignment Tuesday.
“Please be assured, the work is not finished. We have a huge policy that has many components, but getting to tonight is a critical milestone," said CMS Superintendent Ann Clark.
The first principle centers around types of schools including home schools and magnets.
"Home schools are schools with fixed continuous attendance boundaries. Every student will be assigned to a designated home school within proximity to where he or she lives."
That eased the concerns of many parents and local leaders who were worried about a return to forced busing.
"I challenge anyone to convince me that putting them on a bus for 30-40 minutes a day each way to go to a school, that's an F or a D, is in some way beneficial for them," said a CMS parent of two.
Clark said when assigning home schools, the board will consider several options including travel time and keeping whole neighborhoods together.
"That would be, for example, the students who are assigned to Selwyn Elementary School, would move potentially AG Middle as they do now, and on to Myers Park High School. So elementary feeder patterns would stay as a unit as we move forward."
Several speakers made it clear: Diversity is also important to them.
"Low-income children have the best chance for success in school and in life when educated alongside middle class and wealthy peers,” said a CMS teacher.
"I urge you to work to create economically and racially integrated schools," said a CMS parent.
A public hearing on the proposed guiding principles is set for next Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Government Center.