Just one week after the school board election, current board members are having to adjust to the idea not only of new faces on the board, but some dramatically different ideas as well. For two-term board member Ron Margiotta, change is good.

"I think once these five people get involved, myself being part of those five, I truly believe that the other school board members are going to come along," he said. "Because we're not going to be radical and drastic."

Margiotta said fears of abandoning the magnet program and year-round schools are unfounded, but he does foresee changes in the selection process for each as new board members make good on their promise to restore neighborhood schools.

Outgoing board member Lori Millberg said she has reservations about how new board members will balance their campaign promises with other issues facing Wake County's schools.

"I think they've not walked in these shoes yet, they've not been faced with the data that we've been faced with and the decisions that we've had to make," said Millberg, who represents District 1. "And I believe that once they see the information, they will realize the decisions are more difficult."

Veteran board member Patti Head took issue with allegations that the current school board has been unresponsive to parent concerns. Her district in western Wake County has been hit hard by multiple reassignments and a protracted battle over year-round schools.

"People will believe you've truly listened if they've gotten what they wanted," she said. "If they don't get what they want, they will consistently say that you haven't participated or you haven't listened."

With the departure of two longtime board members in August, and four more in December, Margiotta will become the senior member of the board. He said involving parents in decisions will be an important change in the way the board operates.

"It can be accomplished without blowing up the school system," he said. "That's something that's important. That's something I don't think anyone wants to see."