By Laurin Penland
Wilmington, NC – A group of Wilmington residents gathered in the rain outside of New Hanover High School Monday to protest the county's school redistricting plan.
The coalition of parents, teachers, and religious leaders says it has gathered more than 800 signatures on a petition that's against the proposed re-districting plan.
Leaders of the group say the plan puts too many poor children in schools like Williston, Virgo, and Holly Shelter. Harold Beatty is the president of the New Hanover County chapter of the NAACP.
"That word neighborhood schools, that's just a word for re-segregation. Because you have three schools with high minority participation or high free and reduced lunch."
Supporters of the redistricting plan say assigning children to schools close to home makes economic sense and will encourage parental participation. The New Hanover County Board of Education will meet tonight to work on the plan.
Do you have insight or expertise on this topic? Please email us, we'd like to hear from you. news@whqr.org.