But it is also a year of tremendous opportunity. The biggest source of change is the massive reassignment scheduled for fall of 2001. A federal judge ordered the district to stop using race as a factor in deciding where to send students to school. After struggling for nearly eight months, the nine-member school board in June approved a plan to end busing for integration. Starting in fall 2001, every student will be guaranteed a seat in a school close to home.
Students can transfer to another school if there is room.
In some cases, the district will provide transportation. Smith and his staff will spend much of this school year preparing for next year. Parents will have to weigh the options their children will have under a choice system. While the changes will be dramatic, Smith said they should be for the better. The federal court ruling that led to this new plan is under appeal in the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.