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RALEIGH – There's a clear divide between the two candidates running for Wake County Board of Education in District 8. Challenger Susan Evans supports the county's long-standing diversity policy, while Board Chair Ron Margiotta is steadfast in his belief in neighborhood schools.

"The one issue that's out there that separates us is on the busing for diversity and neighborhood schools,” said Margiotta. “And that's something that's going to be the issue in this campaign. I've always supported neighborhood schools. I'll never move away from that position, because i think it's too important to families. It's too important to children."

"All evidence and statistics show that in education scenarios where any given schools is highly concentrated in students from disadvantaged backgrounds, the achievement results tend to be poor,” said Evans. “So, I think it's extremely important that we do what we can at Wake County Schools to give every child an equal opportunity at a great education."

Evans and Margiotta know there's a great deal on the line with every school board race. The balance of power and control of how students are assigned are at play.

"If we change the majority, we'll go right back to yesterday, which was complete disruption of families and over abundance of reassignments."

"I do believe that the policies that Wake County Public Schools has had for the last several decades to try to balance the populations in the schools is very worthwhile,” said Evans. “I know that it has served our county well on a lot of fronts."

Evans and Margiotta agree that politics has crept into these nonpartisan elections more than ever. They both pledge to put students and families first.

"To me, it shouldn't be a partisan issue. It certainly isn't on my side,” said Margiotta. “It's an issue that's of importance to families. The only time I become partisan is on a national level."

"I don't want to bring an ideological agenda,” said Evans. “I want people to know I'm putting students and the community first. And I'll work hard to reach a consensus with my fellow board members."

Aside from student assignment, both candidates see growth as a major issue in the state's largest school district moving forward.

School board elections in Wake County are set for Oct. 11.