GSIW accuses school board of "bullying" with proposed Southeast Raleigh moves

The Great Schools in Wake Coalition is accusing the Wake County school board's student assignment committee of engaging in "bullying" by floating the proposed reassignment of thousands of Southeast Raleigh students.

In a press release today, GSIW charges the proposed reassignment of more than 6,000 students, many from low-income families in Southeast Raleigh, is a case of targeting families who have little sway or influence over the board "under the guise" of proximity.

GSIW contends that, at least in the case of David Williams' proposed reassignment of students out of East Garner Middle that it will actually result in the Southeast Raleigh kids going to a more distant school.

“Bullying involves an imbalance of power or strength, and that’s just what continues to happen in Wake County’s student assignment,” said Yevonne Brannon, GSIW chairwoman in the press release. “Low-income children, those whose families have little sway or influence over this Board, are losing out, and in this case, being reassigned without any parent input.”

Brannon also contends that one of the messages from the four November community workshops is that parents want stability for next school year.

“The Board majority continues to operate under a mantra of ‘divide, demonize, and demoralize,'” said Brannon. “The three-year assignment plan was implemented to provide greater stability in assignment and allow the Board of Education to focus on improving student achievement.

Instead, they are politicizing student assignment at the expense of the children they were elected to serve. We need a Board that will unite our citizens, focus on student needs and parental input—and not simply bully the community with misbegotten ideas that serve a political agenda.”