'Our folks will teach these children' Board terms, dropout rates discussed at forum The first forum held at Darden Middle School in May was a simple question and answer session, designed to give the public a glimpse into what is needed to improve student attendance and reduce student suspensions in the district. The second public forum, which was held at Forest Hills Middle School, gave individuals who contributed to the forum the opportunity to correspond directly with board members until they felt their question regarding the roles and responsibilities of the schools, the Central Office, and the school board had been adequately answered.
Concerned citizen Milt Williams took this one step further. The father of two Wilson County Schools dropouts showed up at Thursday's forum eager to address the board about the district's graduation rates. He did so while the board was addressing a question about limiting the term of its members.
"Of all questions, this mystifies me a little bit and saddens me," said Gary Farmer, Board of Education member. "With our (longest-serving) board member, Christine Fitch, I don't know why in the world someone would want her time on the board to end, with all of the knowledge that we draw from her and she being a college professor. I just can't imagine that someone would want to limit her time on the board." "Graduation rates," Williams said.
In his statement, Williams insinuated that limiting the number of terms an individual can serve on the board could open up doors for others that could help alleviate some of the issues the district is experiencing with student dropout rates. "It (having low graduation rates) might be saying that something is wrong," Williams said. "Maybe there's a problem somewhere."
While Williams puts the blame of student dropouts in the hands of school officials, Braggs was quick to interject.
"Sir, I think that what we're trying to do now is identify those problems and not only identify them as community leaders or school administrators and board members but to further isolate who has the responsibility for resolving those problems through present policy or a need for policy," Braggs said. "That's why we're here addressing these issues."
Marvin Sessoms, chair of the Wilson County Board of Education, also came to the defense of the board.
"I think everyone knows that I spent 34 years in education before I became a board member," Sessoms said. "But what you may not know is that I have been on dialysis for the past five years and I've been on the board for the past five years but I do this because I want to help. I do this because no one else has run in my district and I want to do this because I'm concerned about the same things you're concerned about."
Instead of putting the blame on one person or another, Superintendent Larry Price recommends that parents and administrators work together to solve the problem. "There's a simple solution," Price said. "We have very capable teachers and principals and if parents, educated or uneducated, would send their children to school with directions of you do what the adults in that school tell you to do, then I promise you that our folks will teach these children."
In addition to addressing concerns about the limitation of the term of its members, board members answered questions about sensitivity training for new and returning teachers; policies governing college preparation, 504 testing, and donated property; as well as the elimination of summer school programs in the district.
Members Robin Flinn, Christine Fitch and Wiley Boyette were not in attendance at the second forum.
The third and final forum for the two entities will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, at Springfield Middle School. The purpose of the forum is to discuss decreasing high school dropout rates and improving graduation rates, particularly among minorities. Questions for the third forum can be submitted to wilsonbranchnaacp@yahoo.com.
* Article written by Wilson Times staff reporter Allison Brantley
COMMENTS:
wilsonteacher2 said...
It's about time that someone said what teachers are thinking. Children are the product of their environment. If parents allow disrespect at home, guess what, you will have disrespect in the classroom. If parents allow their children to do whatever they want. guess what, these same children will have the same attitude in the classroom. What is the result of all of this? Suspension and other disciplinary actions. With suspension comes work that is missed and most times not made up. Kids need to be taught the Golden Rule at home before entering kindergarten. Then maybe there would be less suspension, less failures, and MORE graduation!!! This is just my observation and opinion.
KH said...
I agree that parents need to take responsibility for their children but this man was very upset that there was a 17 year old student in the 7th grade. On that point I agree with him. It is totally inappropriate for a 17 year old to be in a class of 13 year olds. So, what should be done and by whom? The man made an interesting point when he said the student had not ever been tested so whose responsibility is it to refer the student for testing? Sometimes a parent suspects problems and asks for the child to be tested, but it is the teachers who have the ability to assess some of the difficulties and should insist on the student being tested. If the referral is made for testing then it is up to administration to make those arrangements and have the student tested. I agree that there should be more parent/teacher communication and cooperation, that is key to any student's success. Many teachers do an excellent job but somewhere something is missing. I only caught bits and pieces of what the man said since he didn't have a microphone, but he definitely had a concern. I think there was some very good information provided by the board members and DLP. I do hope that the next forum more people will try to attend. It is rare that the public gets the opportunity to speak and ask questions of the board and the Superintendent. JMO
wilsonteacher said...
I can't believe someone would say that people quit school because of school officials. People drop out because there is something else they'd rather be doing. Individuals make their own choices and have no one to blame but themselves. Parents and teachers working together is the key to success. I think parents need to be held more accountable for their child's education.
* Citizens' comments appeared in the online comment section of the Wilson Times.
* Photo courtesy Wilson Times. E.D. Arrington addressed the Board of Education at Forest Hills Middle School. Arrington was in attendance to hear the board's response to questions presented by concerned members of the community. Brad Coville/Times
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