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CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE CLOSURE: UPDATES, RESOURCES, AND CONTEXT

Kevin Spears (D) for New Hanover County Board of Education: Neighborhood Schools Aren't the Answer

https://www.facebook.com/spearsforschoolboard/
Kevin Spears

Kevin Spears is running as a Democrat for the New Hanover County Board of Education. He says neighborhood schools aren't the best way to serve the area’s students.  

About a month ago, the Star News published portions of a memo written by superintendent Tim Markley. Markley outlined a connection between the neighborhood schools student assignment plan and low-performing schools, which have large low-income and minority populations. Kevin Spears says he agrees with Markley’s proposed solution: redrawing the district lines to help balance the schools based on socio-economic levels. 

"The lines need to be redrawn. I went to school here in New Hanover County. I think I received a quality education here, and it was pretty diverse then. Twenty or thirty years later, I still have friends from those educational opportunities, you know, being bused not extremely far but away from my comfort zone, where we were able to meet and make friendships and learn, most importantly. So I think we need to get back to that."

Kevin Spears says all students would benefit from the increased diversity that busing would bring to New Hanover County schools.