Discussing transportation for administrative transfers

In an almost surreal moment, Wake County school board vice chairwoman Debra Goldman raised concerns tonight about a new policy affecting bus transportation for students receiving administrative transfers.

The board is considering changes affecting administrative transfers, meaning those approved by the superintendent. The policy says admin transfers for board members and the district's top administrators need to be approved by the whole board.

The policy also calls for the elimination of transportation being automatically granted to families receiving administrative transfers. It also says that transportation will be reviewed annually.

As you guys recall, the policy changes were proposed as a result of the review that Superintendent Tony Tata did of the administrative transfer granted last year to Goldman's daughter. The transfer for Goldman gave her transportation to Davis Drive Middle, which is not her daughter's base school.

While Tata said that the transfer was appropriately granted, he did call for changes to make the process more transparent.

During tonight's discussion, Goldman said she was concerned that the annual review could cost families transportation after the magnet application period ends. She wanted to add wording saying that the decision had to be approved by a certain point so families could apply to magnet schools if they lost their transportation.

During the discussion, several board members could be seen holding their faces and silently laughing as Goldman talked.

School board member Deborah Prickett said they should just leave the wording as is and approve on first reading. School board chairman Ron Margiotta added they could always change the wording on second reading.

The policy change passed tonight on first reading by a 6-2 vote with Goldman and Kevin Hill voting no.

It would need to be approved on second reading to be implemented.