By: Patricia Morris
These are points taken from the Actionnews17.com Website:
Thank you Hmm for the numbers.
"First point: I don't see the tax extension failing. If more than 1500 people go out to vote, I will be shocked. If forced, I could probably give you a list of 751 names who will vote to extend this tax.
Second point: Just to be clear, I will not be a supporter of an NAACP led effort to create Charter Schools. These schools are doomed to failure. Nothing personal.
The Hammond Chamber must lead any effort to create Charter schools. This is the only path to success."
The tax may pass, but what if it does not. What if the blacks who are now being courted decide enough is enough? You must realize that cushion that was found to be wrong in taxing districts where people could not vote for the tax but are paying for it, and those who voted for a tax they do not have to pay for is now public information.
Nothing personal either, but for the record, one of plaintiff's attorneys, as does attorneys employed by the NAACP and other Charter Schools sit on the Board of Directors of very successful Charter Schools in Louisiana, and has offered their assistance of their expertise in helping Hammond set up a Charter School. How do you think this will be viewed by the State Superintendent of Education, who fully supports Charter Schools if this assistance is denied?
If you are inferring that Charter Schools will be schools within schools as the Magnet Schools are, you should think again, because public funding will be needed to continue to operate the program, and this will not be allowed if there is any inkling of Charter Schools being seen as private schools. In New Orleans alone, blacks are now having to integrate their Charter Schools, as Whites are vying to get into them. The idea is to have schools that will educate all children, and this is happening in New Orleans, Detroit and other parts of this country, and it can happen in Tangipahoa Parish.
Nowhere have you read where I have written the Charter School Effort will be NAACP led. Let's get this straight now. As a matter of fact, there are NAACP members, black and white, who are upset that I as president am taking this stance. What I see is the fact that Charter Schools are working, and doing so because people are coming together, black and white, who know this must be done if this failing school system is to improve, and who have a genuine interest in the education of all children in this school system.
Consequently, let's not split hairs on this, and do trust you are not saying Black Charter Schools cannot work and excel because of the perceived rhetoric some believe about Blacks and Black students that is not true. If racial differences is the problem, then we have a problem before implementing the program is begun. The NAACP is a 100-year-old Organization, and it has been proven over and over again when people work together as opposed to against each other, positive and productive outcomes happen for both sides. How you feel is your business, and how I feel is my business, but we do agree what is in place now is not working for the children in this school system, and people across this country now ask the question, why is it not seen how the games being played is adversely affecting Tangipahoa Parish school children in this school system?
Up to now, I have given much credit to you in having an open mind in what is happening in this school system and how to correct it.
I trust this will remain so.