The Herald-Sun reports the Durham County school board is “divided” over whether to start an all-male academy to address the needs of minority boys from low-income families whose needs are not being met by a traditional classroom. Objections abound, as is typical in the status-quo education community, but at least one board member is vocal in her support of the plan.
Board Vice Chair Minnie Forte-Brown said that the community is watching the board to see if members are bold enough to step outside the box to meet the needs of children because if they don’t, someone else will.
“We know that we have children who are drowning. But what are we going to do to help them?” Forte-Brown said. “I want you to think and stop being scared. You’ve got to step out on faith. We’ve had kitchen table conversations, but we’ve never had the community that’s before you today.
“If it works, it works. If it fails, it fails. But to not do it is unconscionable.”
Interesting that Forte-Brown said “because if they don’t, someone else will.” She seems to understand that parents expect schools to deliver results, no matter the child’s needs. That of course is why more options are needed and why per-pupil expenditures should follow the child to his/her chosen school.
And by the way, when a public charter school fails, it is shut down. When a traditional public school fails, it remains open and the children are trapped. So much for fairness and justice. I wish Forte-Brown luck in convincing her fellow board members to try something new to help these kids whose futures hang in the balance.
