Neighbothood Schools vs. Forced Bussing and Segregation

Thanks to yesterday's election out school system is getting ready for a huge change. We've had a "diversity policy" that forces some children to bus across the county to attend school. They've done this to keep a certain percentage of low income (that receive free lunch) children at each school. I don't know the details of the policy, but it's gone on for years. When I was in school I don't think people made a big fuss about it; My schools all happened to be within walking distance to my house.

I did't think a lot about it until I had children. When we bought our home, we chose Garner for the diversity and the fact that it's a nice small town. There's a lot for kids to do...great Rec Department, beautiful parks, and Baseball. I figured my kids would be attending Garner schools. I was dismayed to find out that my son was going to be bussed to a school about 9 miles (20 minutes if you're in a car) away from us when we have an elementary school a little over a half a mile away. Thankfully there was a big reassignment (a big deal around here) and change to some year round schools (yet another issue in these parts) that allowed my son to attend a wonderful year round school a mile and a half away. He rides the bus (a huge Mommy step for me) 10 minutes to school under the care of Mr. Earl the bus driver.

So, the NAACP feels that neighborhood schools = segregation and may pursue a lawsuit against our school system. I'd rather my child attend a neighborhood school. I think that if we go to a neighborhood system that the schools that are in need with have a better chance at getting the help they deserve and children won't have to be bussed across the county. I do wonder what the differences will be in the "white schools" vs. "black schools." I wonder that the social consequences will be if children aren't forced to experience other races. Will it equal racism? I'm not worried about my sons because of the diversity of our town, but what about other kids? Is it that big of a deal that the NAACP needs to be involved?