About thirty parents sounded off to Wake County school leaders Thursday about recommendations for student assignment.

Wake County Public School System growth and planning staff members hosted the first of five community engagement meetings in the Knightdale High School auditorium.

Families have been studying the maps and recommendations since Saturday, when the draft of the three-year plan was released on the WCPSS website.

Chuck Dulaney, assistant superintendent for growth and planning, said he had expected very specific comments and criticisms at the meeting, since this was the first year parents have had an opportunity to look at the recommendations at this stage in the process.

The meetings are also a way to educate the public about the methodology behind the assignment plan.

"I want parents to understand that we're guided by board policy," Dulaney said.

The policy means staff has to try to balance a number of factors in assigning students, including filling new schools, relieving overcrowding in other schools, and considering the distance students will have to travel to get to school.

Dulaney said small revisions have already been made to the plan that was released Saturday, as a result from feedback from the public.

Staff will continue to take comments through Dec. 10, online or at one of the four remaining community engagement meetings.

The meetings are scheduled from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the following auditoriums:

-Dec. 1. at Cary High
-Dec. 3 at Wake Forest-Rolesville High
-Dec. 4 at Holly Springs High
-Dec. 8 at Broughton High