WS/FCS looks to magnet programming to increase diversity at four schools

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is looking to apply for $15 million in federal funding from the Magnet Schools Assistance Program. 

The schools that could receive grant funding are Konnoak Elementary, Paisley IB Magnet Middle, Flat Rock Middle, and Parkland High. 

The money would be used to support strong International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. District officials say that will attract more students, and in turn, diversify the schools which are currently majority Black and Hispanic. 

The district’s Executive Director of Choice and Magnet Schools Frank Pantano used Speas Global Elementary as an example of magnet program success during a WS/FCS Board of Education meeting on Tuesday. 

“We had students in their residential zone choosing not to go to that school, and now people are trying to buy houses so that they can go to that school in that residential zone," Pantano said. "So we want to get that kind of excitement for all of our schools.”

School board members expressed mixed feelings about the plan. Richard Watts had concerns about the sustainability of these efforts since they’re based around a five-year grant. Others were unsure about making IB programming the focus. 

Vice Chair Alex Bohannon is a Parkland High IB graduate, and says he’s in support of the programming — but not diversity for diversity’s sake. 

“As long as students are getting access to rigorous instruction that is pedagogically sound, that teachers are teaching the material, and students are engaged, I personally care a little bit less about the composition of the building and more about whether or not students are actually getting what they need," Bohannon said. 

Katie Sonnen-Lee, a parent with children at Speas, also shared her thoughts at the meeting. 

“As we try to transition these magnet programs and use them as a tool to integrate our schools, let's be sure we do it with intentionality, and care and building relationships with families," she said. "Not just with the families who are coming in, but with the families who are currently there.”

The school board will vote on the magnet program plan at their next meeting on April 11.

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.