Divided North Carolina school board seeks middle ground over busing

The Wake County school board in Raleigh, North Carolina, voted in March to end its policy of busing students for socioeconomic diversity: a decision that has led to considerable controversy. Protesters claim that ending busing will lead to more segregation in the schools.

Now, the divided board is seeking to find a middle ground on the issue through an assignment approach called “controlled choice,” which would allow parents to choose schools for their children as long as they are within a certain “zone.” However, not all citizens are happy with the proposed plan and 19 protesters were arrested at a board meeting just last Tuesday.

We speak with Thomas Goldsmith, a reporter for News & Observer in Raleigh, who explains the complications involved in the board’s upcoming decision.