By Patricia Morris
"The Hammond millage will pass. It can not not pass. The consequences of the extension not passing for the Hammond Chamber and the Hammond status quo are unacceptable."
I think many individuals hope you are wrong on this one.
"The $200M tax will fail. It can not pass. The consequences of that $200M tax passing are unacceptable to the Tangipahoa status quo which has its own plans for that $200M."
I believe the school system believes this themselves, and is probably why this tax has been pulled, and will not be considered until April 2011, long after the school board elections. Very calculative on the part of the school administration and the school board.
"Charter Schools are the only answer."
Many seem to agree on this statement.
"Charter Schools can succeed. They can also fail. They must not fail. To succeed Charter Schools need community support. Charter Schools will not acquire this support if they are perceived to be the NAACP deseg solution. They must be perceived to be the Hammond deseg solution. Some of the best minds that Louisiana has to offer live among us. We must get these people involved in educating our public schoolchildren. There are many reasons why these people are not involved. One of these reasons is that these people will have nothing to do with the TPSS. No rational person could blame them."
Anything is possible. It is unfortunate some would think if this is an NAACP answer to the deseg plan, the Chamber will not support it. Afterall, Judge Lemelle has asked on numerous occasions that both sides meet to discuss an acceptable plan both sides can live and identify with, but to no avail.
Again, the NAACP met and will continue to meet with the Chamber of Commerce in an effort to come together for the sake of all children in this school system, as well as bridging the gap of communication. Many of the smart minds in Louisiana and Tangipahoa Parish are calling and we are talking about what is best for the future of this school system and the school children in it. We would love to have you join us, and this is no pun intended.
"I did not say nor did I in any way imply that the Black Charter Schools cannot work. As you have said yourself, it all depends on leadership. I only add this to your previous statement: I am as unimpressed with the Black educational leadership in this parish as I am with the White educational leadership. As far as I can tell, the only difference is melanin."
At least we both realize skin color should not play an integral part of what is happening now in this deseg case, but we all know for some it does make a difference, especially in Tangipahoa Parish.
"An open mind questions everything."
You are correct, because I, too, question everything, and take nothing for granted.