The Battle in Calhoun County Schools: Substance versus Style
There is a serious battle taking place in the Calhoun County School District, a county whereas 48 percent of the population is African-American. But, this battle is not about race, it is about civil rights. I have mentioned in previous writings, that "educational choice" or "parental choice" or "school choice" is the new civil rights movement of the 21st century.
The concerned parents of students in Calhoun County School District, are upset about a proposed 30 million dollar expansion that will create redistricting. The plan calls for the expansion of Sandy Run Elementary School in the north, and the building of an "exact replica" two miles south of town. (St. Matthews) If this proposal is approved, the Calhoun County School District "must" close down two predominantly black schools that were built in the l950's. The schools in question are: John Ford Middle and Guinyard Elementary, both historically black schools with a legacy of producing a strong black intelligentsia.
Rev. Michael Charley, a promient pastor in St. Matthews, is very upset about the proposed closing and has his congregation "fired up", and signing a petition against the proposed $30 million dollar expansion. He states, "they're like a spotlight in the community, they're just a ray of hope for us in the community, because most of us went there." Pastor Charley further states, "the money is not being spent in the right places, they are saying. "Well we know your scores are bad (referring to the low PACT scores for Black students) and you're not learning, we're not worried about that right now we'll get to that later. We're gonna build these new schools and we'll work on your education later."
The underlying question is: who has the right to determine what educational delivery system is best for children of Calhoun County School District? Will a bright shiny new school produce better PACT scores for Black children who are currenly failing in an antiquated system.? What is the best way to spend the 30 million dollars, to improve education, ie. quality teachers, enhanced curriculum, dropout intervention programs, proactive parental involement programs, alternative educational delivery systems, or favor style over substance?
The battle for the fate of those black children is not over, nor the right to preserve a legacy that is so prevalent in South Carolina.
Dr. Taliaferro
The concerned parents of students in Calhoun County School District, are upset about a proposed 30 million dollar expansion that will create redistricting. The plan calls for the expansion of Sandy Run Elementary School in the north, and the building of an "exact replica" two miles south of town. (St. Matthews) If this proposal is approved, the Calhoun County School District "must" close down two predominantly black schools that were built in the l950's. The schools in question are: John Ford Middle and Guinyard Elementary, both historically black schools with a legacy of producing a strong black intelligentsia.
Rev. Michael Charley, a promient pastor in St. Matthews, is very upset about the proposed closing and has his congregation "fired up", and signing a petition against the proposed $30 million dollar expansion. He states, "they're like a spotlight in the community, they're just a ray of hope for us in the community, because most of us went there." Pastor Charley further states, "the money is not being spent in the right places, they are saying. "Well we know your scores are bad (referring to the low PACT scores for Black students) and you're not learning, we're not worried about that right now we'll get to that later. We're gonna build these new schools and we'll work on your education later."
The underlying question is: who has the right to determine what educational delivery system is best for children of Calhoun County School District? Will a bright shiny new school produce better PACT scores for Black children who are currenly failing in an antiquated system.? What is the best way to spend the 30 million dollars, to improve education, ie. quality teachers, enhanced curriculum, dropout intervention programs, proactive parental involement programs, alternative educational delivery systems, or favor style over substance?
The battle for the fate of those black children is not over, nor the right to preserve a legacy that is so prevalent in South Carolina.
Dr. Taliaferro
posted by Dr. Taliaferro at 7:12 AM
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