Pitt County Schools board approves lottery for limited seats at non–open-enrollment schools

The Pitt County Schools Board of Education voted to adopt a lottery procedure to allocate a limited number of seats at schools not on the district—s open-enrollment list, the board decided after a lengthy discussion on staff—s two proposed options.

District staff presented two choices: (1) retain the existing reassignment process under Policy 41-50 (reassignments handled by superintendent/designee with the option to appeal to a board panel) or (2) add a district-run lottery for a limited number of seats at non–open-enrollment schools. Sarah English, presenting the proposal, said the lottery registration would open March 1 at 8 a.m. and close March 15 at 5 p.m. and that the district initially proposed five lottery seats per non–open-enrollment school.

The board—s discussion centered on fairness, administrative burden and school capacity. Supporters said the lottery creates a clear, time-limited pathway and removes reliance on appeals handled by a three-member board panel; others, including several principals consulted by staff, had…