NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - NAACP President on School Zoning: "Vote Reeks of Racism"

NAACP President on School Zoning: "Vote Reeks of Racism"

NASHVILLE, Tenn.- After months of emotional debate the Metro school board passed a controversial rezoning plan Tuesday night. Those against the plan say there are too many unanswered questions and back door deals, and a lawsuit could be filed.

The votes have been cast, but the issue is far from over if you ask Metro School Board member George Thompson. The long-time board member said a huge mistake was made with the approval of the much debated rezoning plan for the 2009-2010 school year.

The Pearl-Cohn and the Hillwood clusters are at the heart of the issue for many. Since desegregation, students from the predominantly black Pearl-Cohn area have been zoned to attend schools in the predominantly white Hillwood community.

Under the new plan, students would remain in their neighborhood school; however, they would still have the option to be bussed. Not only that, Pearl- Cohn would receive more money for smaller classes and additional resources.

However, some members of the community question why the plan was passed so quickly.

"What was the sense of urgency?" asked The Nashville Chapter NAACP president Marilyn Robinson. "It gives you the impression that they had a plan," she continued.

Robinson said the vote reeks of racism. The board vote was nearly divided along racial lines. Karen Johnson, who represents the Antioch area, was the only black board member who voted for the plan.

Robinson said the organization could file suit.

"Why would you pull them out of a situation where they're performing well, where it's integrated and everything is working?" asked Robinson.

There is also the thought that the local Chamber of Commerce along with the Business community pushed this plan, but Marc Hill with the Chamber of Commerce said that's not the case.

"The Chamber as an organization never took a position and never got involved in the rezoning discussion," said Hill.

It appears there may be more debate ahead before changes officially go into place.

"My impression is that we have not completed the process of approving this plan," said School Board member George Thompson.

Mr. Thompson said he didn't think this process was fully complete because the board and the community haven't been given a guarantee that more funds will be poured into the Pearl-Cohn area. In fact he's not even sure where the additional funds would come from.

Supporters of rezoning believe this change was long overdue. Many of the district's schools are not full, and supporters including board Chairwoman Marsha Warden argued the district wasn't using resources wisely.

This plan was drafted by a community task force, which was organized about six months ago.