Parents criticize dual-language plan move

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education members are likely to approve the conversion of Frank Porter Graham Elementary School to a magnet school, despite parent outcry against the transition.

A large majority of the more than 100 concerned residents who spoke at last week’s board meeting were against the plan — which includes a proposal to convert Frank Porter Graham Elementary into a magnet school, in order to accommodate the expansion of the Spanish dual-language program.

And though residents filled the council chambers and two overflow rooms at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education meeting one week ago, many felt as though it was a wasted effort.

Board member Jamezetta Bedford said the transition to a magnet school was necessary in order to give all students in the district equal access to the dual-language program.

“Everybody would have the same chance and opportunity if there was a centralized magnet,” Bedford said.

But parents said they were frustrated with the board’s response to their concerns.

Sean Stockton, father of a Frank Porter Graham dual-language student, said it felt as though the board had already made a decision.

“I think the dual-language magnet school program is going to happen,” Stockton said. “They need a miracle to keep it from happening.

“If they didn’t ask for our opinion, it would have been an easier pill to swallow.”

Stockton said some board members were disrespectful and dismissive of parents who spoke at the meeting.

Bedford said she had to make the decision for the almost 12,000 students in the district, not just those who spoke last week.

“That might be the majority that spoke up, but that’s not the majority,” she said. “I have to consider all the children in the district.”

Board member James Barrett said he supported the magnet school option because he believes it is the best way to expand access to the program, but the transition would have to be done carefully.

“There really isn’t another school that is a better choice,” he said.

Families of Frank Porter Graham plan on talking to board members at the next meeting to try to get them to rethink their decision on the plan.

“I want to hear the justification of the board for why the board is doing what they are doing,” Stockton said. “They have tip-toed around it.”

The plan will be voted on June 7 at the next board meeting.

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