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RALEIGH – Contrary to rumors that the new majority in the Wake County School Board is opposed to magnet schools, the board says they support the programs. But they may not support not the programs' selection processes.

Magnet programs in Wake County are used to expand education opportunities, but they're also a tool to reduce high concentrations of poverty and promote a diverse student body.

"It's incredible because it ignites a passion that students may not get," said Elwood Peters, the magnet coordinator at Centennial Campus Middle School. "We have a young Latino student who's part of this. He's a very intelligent young man, and who knows where that's going to lead?"

Board members are now looking at making admissions to magnet programs based more on academics and less on socioeconomic status.

"As magnet schools are utilized in many parts of the country, they're utilized for gifted and talented programming," said board member John Tedesco. "Regardless if a child is poor or well off, that child should have a chance at gifted and talented programming, and we want to give them those opportunities."

Tedesco pointed out the changes the new board majority wants to make in the student assignment policy does not change the support for magnet programs. He added that the new board will also look for ways to possibly expand magnet programs to other parts of the county.