Inadvertently, one of the parents on an advisory board to the superintendent let the cat out of the bag when she was quoted in today's article on the [horrors!] fine and/or jail time that parents will get now for signing affidavits lying about their children's place of residence.See "Lying Parents Face Jail or Fines":
http://www.charleston.net/assets/webPages/departmental/news/Stories.aspx?section=localnews&tableId=129349&pubDate=2/4/2007
To quote the NEWS from the Newsless Courier:
"Wendy Burkhardt, a member of the superintendent's parent advisory council, said she thought the new policy was appropriate and fair - and a double-edged sword.
"She knows parents whose children attend Sullivan's Island Elementary, an excellent-rated school where her daughter goes, who don't live in its attendance zone. But the majority of those parents are active members of the school community, and the school would suffer for their loss, she said.
"'Who are you keeping out?' Burkhardt said. Regardless, she said she understood that the district couldn't make the rule for some but not everyone."
Here's the secret that has been revealed: all over the district, not just at Buist, saavy parents are sending their children from low-performing schools to higher-performing schools. Probably everyone who has a child in a higher-performing school is well aware of this phenomenon and condones it--after all, who would report a parent for wanting a better education for his or her child?
In other words, what critics say the voucher system would do to low-performing schools--better students leaving--is ALREADY HAPPENING, just illegally! And those obeying the law are getting the short end of the stick. If parents who do so are comfortable enough to be active and strong participants in the school's community --as they are at Sullivan's Island Elementary--then clearly the district has been looking the other way.
Seems harmless? Think again. Think of the school district those mendacious parents do live in and the "school that [does] suffer for their loss." Multiply that times all other parents who are participating in the same scam. What do you get?
Higher-performing schools get higher; low-performing schools get lower!
BUT a more sinister side exists: I would suggest that majority-white schools get whiter and majority-black schools get blacker. In other words, re-segregation through the back door. What else can explain the virtually 100% black population of Burke High School?
I'm not going to hold my breath until the first parent gets put in jail for this!
Don't agree? Show me where I'm wrong.
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4 comments:
These parents may not have their children in the school falsely. Parents can do an inter-district or intra-district transfer into another school. Sullivan’s Island Elementary being one of them. This is a legal way to request your child attend a different school. To quote the NEWS from the Newsless Courier:
"Wendy Burkhardt, a member of the superintendent's parent advisory council, said she thought the new policy was appropriate and fair - and a double-edged sword.
"She knows parents whose children attend Sullivan's Island Elementary, an excellent-rated school where her daughter goes, who don't live in its attendance zone. But the majority of those parents are active members of the school community, and the school would suffer for their loss, she said.
"'Who are you keeping out?' Burkhardt said. Regardless, she said she understood that the district couldn't make the rule for some but not everyone."
I posted the other comment. What I forgot to mention was that I agree with the poster. Let’s not forget that there are already policies in place concerning residency at all schools including Buist. It is the administration that fails to enforce them because it would not allow them to continue to play favorites. I am sure the no one intends to see Buist opened up to title one kids that reside in their district fairly. On wait a minute they still have the test and the principal who has the final say on who can attend and verify addresses.
As a downtown parent I appreciate someone writing about this. Diette at the P & C covers only about 20% of the story. Why has no reporter looked into the Buist Foundation? Shouldn't that be public record?
Admissions at Buist will continue to be corrupt as long as the same people are in charge of the lottery and address verification. It seems to be addictive to pass out slots to the children of wealthy and well connected people. It's sad that children downtown have nothing but failing schools to attend while nothing is being done about the children whose parents have lied to get them into Buist over the last several years.
from Letters to the Editor, P&C, Tues., Feb. 6, 2007
CITY SCHOOLS
I recently viewed the documentary “Corridor of Shame” at the Gaillard
Auditorium. It’s a powerful presentation of the physical state of our
schools in South Carolina.
Having taught in a rural school in Charleston County, I was not surprised.
I know we have deplorable conditions in our rural schools, and I know we are
not adequately educating many of our rural students.
Unfortunately, these conditions also exist in the city of Charleston.
Mayor Joe Riley is quoted in the documentary regarding the effects of “
turning our backs on these rural schools.”
I wish the mayor would admit we are also turning our backs on the schools
within our beautiful historic city. Yet, Mayor Riley states, “ We’re
fortunate to live in larger cities, such as Charleston.”
Where are these schools our children are fortunate to attend? The
bathrooms at James Simons are not suitable for children to use. The faculty
bathroom is deplorable. We are not in compliance with the federal
disabilities act at Sanders- Clyde because there is no elevator. The Hugo
insurance money for damages to Memminger Auditorium did not go to Memminger.
Our PACT scores show we are not properly educating our children in the city.
In the film, Dr. George Hood states all children can learn if the
resources are there, and I agree. Unfortunately, too many people making
decisions for our schools do not agree with that statement.
I’m told $33 million is paid in school taxes for the peninsula alone. Do
the 3,100 students on the peninsula receive an education and learning
environment comparable to the amount of money we pay in taxes?
Evidently, many community leaders believe they do.
As a member of the city of Charleston Constituent School Board, I have not
heard people supporting our fight for equal education on the peninsula. In
fact, the complaint our board filed against the district received criticism
from community leaders.
When our board fought to ensure that District 20 residents were being
represented properly at Buist Academy, where were our community leaders?
Is Steve Morrison correct when he states in the film that if you’re poor
and black, you don’t get the opportunity to have a decent education in our
state?
In a city so rich, that truly is shameful.
PAM KUSMIDER
12 George St.
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