Board Approves Assignment Process
May 7, 2009 - Following the ruling of the NC Supreme Court last week, the Wake County Board of Education approved a return to its assignment process allowing families the opportunity to apply for schools in February, receive an assignment in mid-May and request a transfer after assignment.The action came during the board’s May 5 meeting.
Board members noted the process ordered by Wake County Superior Court Judge Howard Manning two years ago caused disruptions for schools, leaving some year-round schools underutilized and crowding some traditional calendar schools. In addition to the facility use issues, board members said the process did not allow school administrators to have the appropriate staffing and equipment available since the District Court ruling allowed families to determine where they would attend school long after staffing and budget allotments were provided to principals.
The board approved the assignment plan for 2009-10 on February 3. Soon after, a letter was sent to the homes of students making sure they were aware of the February application process where families desiring a magnet school assignment or a traditional calendar school assignment or a year-round school assignment could submit an application indicating their request.
For families who took part in the February application process, 95 percent of the students who had a base assignment to a year round school and applied for a traditional calendar school seat were placed. 77 percent of the students who applied for a year-round school seat were placed. 45 percent of students who applied for a magnet school seat were placed.
WCPSS Growth and Planning is preparing the assignment strips that will be delivered to schools so that students will receive them on May 15. In addition to the assignment strip, students will receive information on the school system transfer process.
Once students receive this notification of their school assignment for 2009-10, parents may then seek a transfer. Growth and Planning staff will apply Board Policy 6203 to transfer requests. If a transfer is denied, families may appeal to the Board of Education.
In a board appeal, parents have the opportunity to meet with a panel of board members and discuss the hardship caused by their school assignment and their transfer request. The entire Board subsequently reviews the request and votes on whether to approve or deny the request.
Board members noted during their meeting that they have recently discussed possible changes to the transportation policy that could benefit families seeking transfers.
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