Fairfield told to 'racially balance' elementary school

Officials at a Fairfield elementary school are mapping out a plan after the state ordered the local board of education to racially balance the facility.
McKinley Elementary School is made up of 40 percent non-white students. That minority makeup is twice as high as any other elementary school in Fairfield, and in some cases, nearly eight times as high.
The plan could have parents of minority students voluntarily pull their kids out of McKinley in favor of another school. However, parents and students say they love the recently improved facility and new staff. Due to the positive changes, many do not want to pull their children out.
The school superintendent says the voluntary approach is the best option at the moment, as opposed to mandated redistricting or moving students out.
School officials say they have to replace 18 minority students with 18 majority students to meet guidelines.
The Board of Education will take up the issue August 9.