To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

RALEIGH — Tuesday night's Wake County school board meeting was a disappointment for some and a victory for others.

The Board voted to stop the move toward community based assignment zones. Vice Chair Debra Goldman parted with the board majority's plan to transition to neighborhood schools. Goldman said she still backs the majority's efforts, but feels her suggestions for proposed zone maps have not been heard.

“This process is not working and we will only get a change one chance to get this right for wake county," said Goldman.

Goldman said Board Chair Ron Margiotta and Assignment Committee head John Tedesco visited her at her home and demanded her silence on the issue. Allison Backhouse, with parent group Wake Cares, said she is not convinced and feels the committee has welcomed input as they developed the proposed zones.

"I think Ms. Goldman is trying to micromange a process. I think her ego has become a priority over the children and families of Wake County. I think she's upset because she was not sitting on that committee," said Backhouse.

The vote was a victory for parents who support the system's current policy of busing for diversity and didn't like the proposed zones.

"I see a big hindrance with the zoning. You have neighborhood schools that don't have the best. You have neighborhoods that have an overabundance of resources. So, to integrate and bus students from all over, it helps a lot," said parent Yaisa Brownridge.

A local pastor arrested twice for her participation at the highly publicized school board meetings is pleased with the board's vote last night. Rev. Nancy Petty, along with head of the state NAACP Rev. William Barber, have been vocal about their opposition to moving to neighborhood school assignments.

Petty said on Wednesday she is grateful to Goldman for encouraging the Board to take more time before making big changes.

“Ms. Goldman's response comes out of a place of she has now decided where her conscience is and figuring out where she stands on this and not listening to all the outside voices," said Petty.

Rev. Barber praised the move in a statement released on Wednesday.

“Not only must we vote not to go forward with a bad plan, We must also vote not to go backwards on any plan by removing a commitment to socio-economic opportunity," said Barber.