NAACP Has Eye On School Rezoning

Many Metro students started a new year of school in a new building and in a new neighborhood.

A controversial rezoning plan took effect this year and Metro officials say it is going well, but some say if the district does not keep its promises, they will take action.

Wharton Elementary is a new school in the Pearl-Cohn cluster, a product of the district's rezoning plan.

Principal Lenna Allen had the opportunity to build the staff to fit the needs of the children.

"We are starting this school from the ground up. I have hired all new teachers for the school," said Allen.

This is the first year for the controversial re-districting plan, which involved the Hillwood and Pearl-Cohn clusters.

The idea was to end busing and return to neighborhood schools, and Metro officials say extensive groundwork in the spring and summer has made the first days a success.

The plan was opposed by many who feared it would re-segregate Metro schools and fail to deliver a quality education.

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The NAACP is watching closely to make sure Metro schools deliver on the promises it made, including school choice, transportation and significant additional resources in the Pearl-Cohn cluster.

"It's too early to tell how those so-called promises are manifesting themselves on the ground," said Walter Searcy of the NAACP.

At Wharton, Allen said they have a lot of extra resources to give children more individualized learning because of the rezoning.

She also thinks a benefit of a neighborhood school will be increased parental involvement.

"Parents are excited to have a neighborhood school. We've already had parents offering to start a PTO and to assist teachers in different areas to volunteer," said Allen.