Wake County parents plan to fight 2018-19 school enrollment plan
GARNER, North Carolina (WTVD) -- Some Garner parents are planning to deliver a message to the Wake County School Board at their Oct. 3 meeting:
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'We don't want to change our schools."
The message is in response to the 2018-19 enrollment proposal that has calendar changes and redistricting of many schools on the table.
"We could potentially be at two different schools and two different calendars," explained Beth Setzer, a parent with two children at Rand Road Elementary in Garner.
"It's very unstable," Setzer said. "They're making too many decisions at one time. They haven't taken the financial hardships into consideration by changing to a traditional calendar," Setzer said.
Setzer is referring to the childcare needed for a longer summer compared to once a track as well as the potential impact to track out businesses.
A spokesperson for the Wake Co. School Board says they take all parents feedback into consideration before making a decision. The main drivers of the proposal according to the website include the opening of four new schools:
- South Garner High;
- Apex Friendship Middle;
- Bryan Road Elementary in Garner;
- Buckhorn Creek Elementary in Holly Springs.
The board points out on its website that it is proposing changes related to balancing student populations, calendar application schools, and a state-mandated reduction in K-3 class sizes.
It also said it makes decisions based on four factors: student achievement, stability, proximity, and operational efficiency.
These parents disagree, and they encourage others to voice their concerns on the school boards forum.
They are also holding a public meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at Turner Memorial Baptist Church in Garner before voicing their concerns at the School Board meeting Oct. 3.
