CMS holds board meeting to discuss student assignment concerns

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — CMS held a board meeting Tuesday night to discuss concerns regarding Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools.

"Thank you for your continued work at breaking up concentrations," parent S. Y. Mason-Watson said at Tuesday night's board meeting.

The proposed changes in phase one of the student assignment plan centers on the school lottery system and magnet school expansion.

A big focus is increasing diversity by paying specific attention to students at poor-performing schools and making sure students from all backgrounds have the same opportunities.

"I appreciate the board and staff's hard work to draft it, however, it creates harmful unintended consequences," Carol Sawyer of OneMECK said.

"The majority of students at my school are low income minorities, and sending these students to magnet schools benefits the individuals, but not the low performing schools as a whole," Garinger student Isabel Pratt said.

Another concern, where the expanded magnets are.

"We on the east side, are baffled and troubled by the absence of east side schools from the initial list of new magnets proposed," Mason-Watson said.

This was one of the last times the board will hear from the public before they vote November 9th, but it's also just the beginning of their work.

Increased school options will unfold over a four year period. School officials say if a student is already in a magnet school, he or she can stay put and their sibling is guaranteed a spot.

CMS will hold one more info session for parents and students before the November 9th vote.

More information on the next info session

HERE.

Cox Media Group