The magnet parents at Daniels Middle School made an unsuccessful pitch to the school board today to save its magnet program.
These parents, from Cary and Apex, were miffed when told by the board that the Oct. 7 decision to demagnetize Daniels was final. They questioned how such an important decision could be made before giving the public a chance to comment.
The Daniels' parents are being treated differently than those at Lincoln Heights, Olds, Root and Wake Forest elementary schools when they were demagnetized.
After the demagentization vote last year produced complaints, the board voted to delay a final decision to begin "public dialogue" with the affected parents.
In the end, the board went ahead with the demagnetization.
The parents complained that not having a nearby IB middle school would harm the IB program at Farmington Woods Elementary School in Cary. The other two options are East Millbrook Middle School in North Raleigh and East Garner Middle School.
Parents also questioned why Broughton's IB program was spared while Daniels was demagnetized.
“If Broughton is deemed as valuable, why wouldn’t you treat the Daniels program that way as well?” said Allison Lyles, a Daniels’ parent.
Board member Ron Margiotta unsuccessfully asked his colleagues to reconsider the Daniels decision during today's work session. No one else joined him in wanting another vote.
UPDATE
Board members said that there was a difference between Broughton and Daniels.
Board member Lori Millberg said that Broughton strengthens the magnet programs at Millbrook Elementary School and East Millbrook Middle School, which both feed into Broughton.
Comments
When it comes to the Cary
Thu, 10/23/2008 - 06:21 — vsheehanWhen it comes to the Cary Apex area “screw them” is the only comment the BOE ever has. Ok lets see Garner is getting a K-6 IB school which will feed into the IB MS. Where will the Farmington woods IB kids go? The BOE had no problem moving Cary base kids out of Farmington Woods; why are North Raleigh neighborhoods so sacred? The Neighborhood is not F&R so kick them to another school like you did to Cary parents. F&R kids in Cary have new bases every year why not rich Raleigh kids. Daniels and Broughton non F&R lunch pupils have enjoyed having the same base for years while Cary parents wait every year to see which school their child will be based in. If the constant changes in base neighborhoods are to help the F&R population then whyis it the only population that has the same base every year is Mega Rich? Wake County school system needs to split in two. The families on the Western side of Wake are being abused academically to further the needs of RICH and poor kids in Raleigh. If everyone was treated the same I would be fine with it but they are not. The Daniels loss of magnet seats instead of moving Rich base kids to increase magnet seats is a glaring example of the unequal treatment.
One less option in Apex
Wed, 10/22/2008 - 06:36 — CarolineinApexSo since Apex has no magnets at all, this is just one less option for residents of this town that other areas of Wake county already have. Talk about the haves and have nots...