Wednesday, Aug. 04, 2010

Is this the best way to promote diversity in Wake County?

Should critics of the Wake County school board majority be focusing more on changing municipal zone laws than on trying to mandate diversity in the school system?

In a blog post Monday, the N.C. Social Justice Project argues they can work on both issues with winning the school fight the short-term goal. The blog post comes amid questions whether the ongoing fight with the school board is the right way to promote diversity in Wake.

"So, while it is true that by fully balancing the socio-economic profile of our communities we may solve our educational integration issue, we certainly realize that balancing the socio-economic profile of a school system is much easier, not mention actually achievable," according to the blog post.

"Therefore, we are forced to address each problem separately, because we have a greater likelihood of quickly addressing one problem, while the other will likely languish for quite some time, despite our best efforts," the post continues.

The NCSJP says that they have to work everywhere.

"We will continue to press the Wake County School Board to develop policies that promote educational excellence for every child, no matter their address, and then fight to make that home address the best possible place to live," the NCSJP writes. "One goal is achievable in the short term, the other in the longer term."

School board member John Tedesco has repeatedly contended that the opposition has largely been silent about zoning laws even as they fight for the old diversity policy. One area he points to is Southeast Raleigh, where he says city leaders have backed policies that have lead to the area having so much low-income housing.