CMS Magnet Changes Moving Forward

CMS officials say about 2,300 students will have to find a new magnet program or return to their neighborhood schools over the next two years. The district is eliminating 15 magnet programs, combining several others and making entrance requirements more rigorous for Math, Science and Environmental Studies magnet programs. In some cases, CMS Superintendent Peter Gorman says struggling schools, such as E.E. Waddell High, are losing programs designed to attract advanced students. "Unfortunately the program's success rate - I'll cite Waddell for an example - had not been greatly successful," says Gorman. "We are looking at programs to go in place potentially, but that would need to come back to the board." Gorman says one such program may focus on Afro-American studies. He also says it's too early to tell if the magnet changes will save money on busing until students at the programs being cut, decide where they will go next. Families affected by the changes should receive instructions from the district by mail the first week of January.