We have the same problem here in Raleigh.
The new name is 'Economic Diversity'.
We elected a conservative school board. The new board wants to implement neighborhood schools.
Boy, the libs protest every school board meeting. Demonstrations , arrests, the whole nine yards. They want to keep busing the kids all over the county.
This is my 44th year in education, and I know less than when I started. <^..^>
I'm substituting now, so I get to encounter a variety of urban schools. It just seems that small well-run neighborhood schools with excellent administrators function the best. The only reason specialized schools work better is that they're expected to.
Most educators and parents do seem to know that, but it's just not in their hands. If a child won't or can't learn in a school in their neighborhood, a long walk or bus ride isn't what's going to make the difference. JMOH