It seems counterintuitive that a school board would vote to undo a policy which led to better schools all over the district.
In Wake County, N.C., that’s what’s happening.
After the plan to integrate schools by income succeeded, five members of the nine-member board voted against what they saw as government interference.
They said the long bus rides needed to diversify schools were a detriment to students and that children needed the chance to attend more convenient neighborhood schools.
However, because of the disparity of wealth distribution by ethnicity, moving these kids back home is essentially re-segregating them.
Such a move robs them of the ability to learn about people of other cultures, classes and backgrounds.
A diverse school environment is what breeds understanding, tolerant members of society who can collaborate with nearly anyone. This is the cornerstone of our workforce and our economy.
Besides, if education has to boil down to a debate between convenience and excellent schools, the choice should be clear.
Denying children the best possible schooling to simply to make a politically charged anti-government statement is unacceptable.
Here’s to hoping this incident won’t become a trend.
