CHARLOTTE -- Wednesday night, Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board members voted on changes to the district's magnet school programs. The meeting filled the chambers, with parents urging board members to keep the programs intact at their schools.

Among the changes, board members agreed to keep the learning immersion program at Villa Heights Elementary instead of moving it to Lincoln Heights Elementary.

Another scrutinized vote did pass.

The French program will move from Oaklawn Academy to Smith Academy next year.

The world language program will also stay at West Mecklenburg High School, but be eliminated from E.E. Waddell High School.

The approved changes will be phased in during the next three school years.

Meanwhile, a number of other decisions were made Wednesday night:

•Thousands of CMS students will have a new school next year, as board members approved new boundaries and feeder patterns to account for the five elementary and two new middle schools opening next year. The plan also updated boundaries for Olympic and West Meck high schools.

•Board members voted against a motion which would have given a technology expense allowance equal to the one given to Mecklenburg County commissioners. The extra money could have been used for travel laptop and other related items. The vote failed by a 4-4 vote.

•Board members approved the process in which a new District 3 representative will be elected. George Dunlap - who had held the seat - is now on the Mecklenburg County Commission after winning a special election last month.

School board members agreed to vote on Dunlap's replacement at its next scheduled meeting or a special meeting December 9, 2008. Those interested in filling the District 3 seat have until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2 to submit an application at the CMD Education Center.

On Thursday, December 4, applicants will have three minutes to speak to board members. For more information about the District 3 application process, call (980) 343-5139.