A parent of two students in Metro Schools has filed a federal complaint against the district because of a controversial rezoning proposal that goes into effect this fall.
The new zoning plan represents a return to neighborhood schools. Parent Keith Caldwell says it effectively re-segregates students and concentrates poverty in areas like North Nashville.
The zone changes won’t directly affect Caldwell’s kids who attend magnet schools. But he says he’s speaking for the district’s 75,000 students.
“There is a culture of exclusion that we are experiencing. This is just one way that we can say no, we really need to revisit this and be responsible about how we zone our children.”
Caldwell says the Metro school board is no longer interested in revisiting the proposal, which passed a vote in July. He filed the complaint with the Department of Education moments after President Obama took the oath of office. He hopes his argument — that Metro Schools has taken a step away from equality — will find a warmer reception in the new administration.
Civil rights leader Rev. James Lawson and members of the Nashville NAACP stood behind Keith Caldwell at a press conference today. Metro Schools has not yet responded because officials have not seen the complaint.
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