The Monopolistic Manner In Which The Florence School Distict 1 Board Is Being Run

This week we shall again approach the subject of the monopolistic manner in which the Florence school board is being run. And it does not take a rocket scientist to see what is going on. The board has made itself out of a self-governing body. One that does not find it necessary to respond to the concerns of the community. Instead, the committee meets and decides what they want to do, and then they announce to the other board members what they have decided upon. And I must say that that type of management style has the appearance of being efficient and effective, but in the end, it's just monopolistic and dictatorial. For instance, how West Florence has leapfrogged to the front of the proverbial line when it comes to receiving resources. There have been some interesting things dangled before the black community regarding getting something out of all that is being done. But as of yet, it is all a shell game where a lot is shown, but very little is actually received.

While on the other hand, West Florence has a signed and sealed deal. How is it that the administration gets away with singling out people of color for jobs for elimination while arbitrarily appointing people to fill other assignments? Can you hardly believe that students from West Florence and all of the other locations can come over to Wilson and attend the IB program? When no other student can transfer to any other school. The board uses their built-in monopoly to vote in a provision that allows some students to transfer while keeping the others locked in, by a no transfer provision passed by a majority white vote. Why is it that some students can transfer while others can't? Why is it that the schools on the East corridor are seemingly getting left out of the equation?

We haven't heard Wallace Gregg or Briggs get any mention. And that's probably a result of them having been maintained on a regular basis. Ask yourself when, if ever, you had any input, voice or otherwise, into what goes on in the district. They are talking about a consolidation, where the people that it will affect the most, want have any input into how it is accomplished if things continue as they are. And how about the holistic middle school plan they are moving on. Can you honestly say that you have any idea how they are going to do that? Well, we are just saying, there's and an awful lot that is taking place presently that you have no idea who is doing what. We have a lot of long-range problems that are getting short-range solutions. When did we decide to have our school district run monopolistically? Since when it does not matter when and where schools are built. You had better WAKE UP! Before, you are stuck with a system that works well for some, but for others, not so much so. FOOD FOR THOUGHT; what and how is it that the black board members seem to be finding out where we are headed, at the same time that the constituents are. Congratulations to the two board members that appear to have pulled off the biggest Coo ever.

SINCERELY YOURS, FOR THE PEOPLE, AND BY THE PEOPLE.

ELDER, JAMES W. WILLIAMS

CHAIRPERSON, ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION, LIFELINEPLUS