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 – The Wake County Board of Education approved a historic measure Tuesday to end the school system's socioeconomic diversity policy.

The board voted 5-4 in favor of a policy establishing community schools.

Under the current policy, students are bused across the school district to help achieve socioeconomic diversity. Supporters say ending the policy could lead to resegregated schools and poor performance at schools in low-income neighborhoods.

But school board members say they're not trying to resegregate schools and that the proposed "community assignment zones" would allow for diversity within community-based schools.

The school board made two amendments to the resolution before passing it. One allows for public hearings, while another introduced language that ensures that all students get a sound and basic education. The board majority did reject a slew of other amendments offered by their colleagues.

Members of the board majority said the decision does not affect the diversity policy. That will be addressed in a future policy committee. But other board members believe it's a signal toward a change of the diversity policy.

Language in the resolution does allow nine to 15 months to develop the community assignment zones, gathering public input along the way.

Even before the meeting, the school system expected a large turnout from the community. In response, they instituted a ticket policy for the first time to comply with fire and safety codes. Only 150 people were allowed inside the board meeting, and they had to arrive at 10 a.m. to secure a ticket. They were told if they left, they would have to forfeit their tickets.

In response to the new ticket policy, a coalition of lawyers for civil rights groups sent a letter to board Chair Ron Margiotta alleging that the changes violate state open meeting law.

More than 100 people packed the hallway outside the board room. In addition, a group of about 30 protesters also gathered outside the building to voice their opposition to the new assignment policy.

During the protests, police arrested 29-year-old Dante Emmanuel Strobino, of Raleigh, 21-year-old Duncan Edward Hardee, of Asheville, and 22-year-old Rakhee Shirish Vasthali, of Fayetteville. Strobino was charged with second-degree trespassing, while Hardee and Vasthali were each charged with one count of resisting, delaying or obstructing a law enforcement officer. All were transported to the Wake County Jail.