The Cincinnati Beacon - Smitherman: NAACP should adopt a struggling CPS school

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Smitherman: NAACP should adopt a struggling CPS school

Dear Membership and Community,

On Thursday, January 24, 2008, the NAACP held its monthly general membership meeting. I want to express my sincere thanks to everyone who attended the meeting given the change of venue and the extremely cold temperatures. I estimate that almost 100 members were in attendance. This is an indication of our growth and that you feel that the organization is relevant. It is exciting that you, the member, are taking ownership of your branch. I anticipate that attendance will return to 150 to 200 persons as the weather warms.

Education leaders Superintendent Blackwell, Teacher Union president, Tim Kraus, School Board president, Eve Bolton, and School Board vice president, Chris Nelms were all present. Each speaker commented on the need to receive funding in order to continue the educational gains that the CPS student population has been making in recent years. It was also mentioned that budget cuts will still occur. If the levy passes, the budget will be reduced by $28 million. If the levy fails, cuts will be $54 to $55 million. School Board vice president, Chris Nelms, did an excellent job of personalizing the dilemma we are facing. He emphasized that many of us are products of Cincinnati Public Schools, or know someone currently receiving education within a Cincinnati Public School. If you weren’t aware, the CPS student population is 70% African American. Facing this fact, you have an opportunity on March 4 to be a part of your own self-determination by voting for Issue 10 and being part of the critical block that gets it passed. We voted down a jail in November 2007; therefore, we can vote up education on March 4, 2008.

Following a question and answer period, it was motioned that the NAACP Cincinnati Branch support the school levy (Issue 10). An amendment to the motion included a request for the school district to agree to be accountable to the NAACP for one to three areas of improvement should the Branch vote to support the March 4 levy. Superintendent Blackwell agreed to such an amendment which was consistent with her previous comments that she believes that the education system should be held accountable for their work. The vote was approved overwhelmingly. I want to let the membership know that the following day, the Superintendent called me about the vote, the amendment, and having a meeting next week to also discuss how to improve failing schools. I should be able to give the membership an update at the February 21 general meeting on this topic.

Membership, do you see that something is happening? Do you see that our Branch is becoming more relevant? The attendance of these leaders clearly states that our Branch is becoming more and more respected and recognized as an important factor in political decisions. This is good for our organization and most importantly, it’s good for our community. Those organizations that approach us respectfully and equitably deserve our attention and our consideration regarding their public policies. Any cynicism you may have of other organizations coming to us is valid, but we need to be open to a new page of building alliances and then following through with our opposition or our support. That is what will build respect of our association for the advancement of colored people.

The CBC--a round table of chief executive officers--gave $85,000 to the jail campaign last fall to get Issue 27 passed. If the CBC does not support Issue 10, they are sending a clear message to “lock ‘em up”, but don’t educate them. Even after a million dollars was raised last November for the campaign to build a jail, we defeated it! Now’s the time to come right back and tell the business community we do not accept building jails as the answer; we promote education with accountability as the answer.

Now, we can’t have a discussion about teacher performance without having a discussion about parent performance. As your president, I told the guests that the NAACP would be looking at adopting a school. That means that the accountability around the performance of any failing school will include the NAACP’s ability--in partnership with CPS--to increase productive parent involvement in the school and with their child. We can’t point a finger at CPS and act as if poor parenting is not a factor in some of challenges that exist inside the classrooms of the worst performing schools. I foresee discipline problems dropping dramatically should our members become active participants as partners inside the school buildings. Thereby creating an environment where teaching and learning happens more effectively and safely.

ACTION: From this date, your president will be working with any and all people to get Issue 10 passed. There is a risk in this endeavor. If Issue 10 fails, the Cincinnati NAACP will lose some of the political influence it has gained recently. However, the risk of spending political capital is necessary and crucial to support and protect our children. You can help by getting an Issue 10 yard sign (when they are available) and putting it in your yard. Ask your pastor to have Issue 10 be part of the weekly bulletin announcements and during Sunday services. Start today making positive comments, specifically on the 1230AM black talk radio station, about the need to pass the school levy (Issue 10). We are in this fight now. Protecting Issue 10 is now our business.

I am asking you to follow the membership’s, the executive committee’s, and your president’s leadership in supporting Issue 10. If you truly believe that “it takes a village to raise a child” that is an unselfish perspective that indicates your willingness to sacrifice personally for the greater good of “the village”.

Christopher Smitherman
President of NAACP Cincinnati Branch

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says:
27 Jan 2008 at 07:35 am | #

Cheerleading aside, this is the kind of positive work the NAACP should be doing.

And, finally, someone is talking about the role of parents in students being successful in school.

But: WDBZ? Come one. The Buzz has a 1,000 Watt transmitter and can’t be heard over the next hill. If folks want to be seminar callers to promote the school levy they need to call in to WKRC (three times the audience of WDBZ) and WLW (eight times).

Without Ross and Steve Love’s corporate support for the school levy, talking about it on WDBZ will be pointless IF the goal is to pursuade voters.

At the end of the day though, it will be up to CPS to show how they are going to responsibly spend taxpayer money. NAACP can only help so much.

Janis says:
27 Jan 2008 at 03:18 pm | #

Urbanist etc: Most, if not all, discussions around school improvement talk “about the role of parents in students being successful in school,”

The big difference here is that Mr. Smitherman accurately points out that parenting is “a factor in some of challenges that exist inside the classrooms” not THE factor as so many teachers, and suburban parents claim.

Insteading of just blaming others and walking away, Mr. Smitherman is acknowledging that we are all accountable for the success or failure of our public schools.

Have you thought about your contribution?

says:
27 Jan 2008 at 06:06 pm | #

Of course! My contribution is $1,000 per year in property taxes sent to CPS. I think about that every six months when the check is written.

L.G. says:
27 Jan 2008 at 09:08 pm | #

Urbanist, ever donated time to CPS? You write the check out b/c you don’t want to lose your house and your property taxes go to more things than only CPS. A donation is something you do without looking for a return. Just because you pay your taxes does not mean that you give a damn about CPS.

cincysuz says:
27 Jan 2008 at 09:44 pm | #

LG - oh yes, paying property taxes is certainly a commitment to the schools. You can go volunteer all the time you want but if there are no buildings, teachers, supplies, paid for by taxpayers, there’s no CPS. The first volunteers should be those that have kids in the schools.

What about the children? says:
27 Jan 2008 at 09:51 pm | #

Don’t you get it?
We need to support this levy to help the children!!!
The children are languishing in the swamp of indifference.
The only thing that will help them is more money!!!
Wishing and Hoping and Thinking and Praying will not help them succeed.
They need cash.
How can you be sure- In a world that’s constantly changing. How can you be sure-
Vote for the levy

cincysuz says:
28 Jan 2008 at 06:20 am | #

Of course, vote for the levy. But people won’t be persuaded to vote for it if the campaign begins with a negative, badgering message to the taxpayer that they’re not doing enough. If people feel that funding the schools is enough, and they don’t intend to volunteer, then that’s not only enough, they deserve a thank you. Especially those that don’t have children in CPS.

says:
28 Jan 2008 at 08:57 am | #

Cincysuz...if you don’t pay your property taxes, your house goes into foreclosure. FACT. PAYING YOUR PROPERTY TAXES DOESN’T MEAN YOU CARE ABOUT THE SCHOOLS...PEOPLE WHO PAY THEIR PROPERTY TAXES CARE ABOUT KEEPING THEIR PROPERTY. JUST SO HAPPENS THAT A GOOD AMOUNT OF THAT GOES TO CPS. THERE’S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DONATION AND A COMMITMENT. LOOK IT UP.

However, Cincysuz, we’re on the same team on this one issue. Typically you’re too liberal for my taste but in this matter I think we see eye-to-eye. Issue 10 needs to pass. I supported the last school levy in November. It’s vital to CPS. Schools like Walnut Hills, SCPA and Clark won’t feel the impact if Issue 10 loses because alum will take care of them. It’ll be schools like Burton, South Avondale and other inner city schools that are on academic watch or emergency that will feel the cuts the most. If our kids are not educated, they are more likely to commit crime. That’s just a fact. I also agree that the 1st volunteers should be the parents of CPS students. If they are not committed to their kids’ education, why should taxpayers?

I’m a CPS graduate and if you’re a CPS graduate, you should support the school levy. If you have kids in CPS, you should support the school levy. If your spouse or relatives work for CPS, you should support the school levy. It’s good for everyone...especially the kids who need to be educated. Good school districts equal higher property values, lower crime and a stronger city.

says:
28 Jan 2008 at 12:10 pm | #

LG: everyone who pays into the CSD via property taxes is what I would consider an investor.

I am investing in the education of local kids and expect a decent return on my money.

I consider myself a silent investor. Nothing wrong with that.

And I do “give a damn” about CPS, but that mean its success shouldn’t be contingent upon my contribution of volunteer time. I don’t volunteer my time to City Council either but still have a responsible expectation that they’ll get the job done.

What’s your property tax contribution to CPS?

cincysuz says:
28 Jan 2008 at 01:11 pm | #

LG - typically you’re too right wing conservative for MY taste but yes we are on the same page. A word to the wise. When you’re trying to get people to give up even more money, wooing them, instead of beating them in the head with a brick, is more likely to get the desired result. Starting off a campaign in support of the levy by telling people who are already overtaxed and many trying to just hold onto their property, and many many that don’t have or never have had kids in CPS, that they’re selfish and haven’t done enough is precisely the reason they need to cast a no vote. Look at that first paragraph of yours in capital letters. That’s insulting. It makes even me question a yes vote. Is that what you want? Is COAST advising and training on this issue as well? Sounds like it.

As a taxpayer, I would rather be assured that all my past (taxes) contributions in support of the public school system are appreciated and then politely asked if I can spare a little more. You keep telling people that pay property taxes, and who carry the funding burden, that they’ve done nothing, they’re going to vote no for damned sure. Are you sure you’re in favor of the school levy?

says:
28 Jan 2008 at 01:35 pm | #

It’s of record, Urbanist. Look it up.

says:
28 Jan 2008 at 06:43 pm | #

Congratulations.

JFD says:
29 Jan 2008 at 12:01 am | #

It is so great to have the master of the short attention span spearheading this effort!

L.G. says:
29 Jan 2008 at 08:48 am | #

Cincysuz, you’re misquoting me. I never called anyone selfish, I never said that all of the taxpayers are not doing enough nor have I said that they are doing nothing. You’re as bad as Hillary Clinton when it comes to distorting the facts...you should read my thread again.

My original thread was directed at Urbanist and I respect his opinion. Urbanist says he does give a damn about CPS...that’s great. If he does, he should vote yes on Issue 10 as well as anyone else who supports or cares about Cincinnati School District. Cincinnati has the best urban school district in the state statistically. Cincinnati public school system had a 51 percent graduation rate in the year 2000. Seven years later, the graduation rate had climbed to 79 percent. 11 of Cincinnati’s 14 high schools exceed the district’s 79 percent graduation rate. I don’t think people can argue with CPS’s results in recent history. Based of stats, people should vote for Issue 10 because in the end, property value will increase because the level of education in CPS is becoming more and more competitive.

cincysuz says:
29 Jan 2008 at 05:59 pm | #

I certainly haven’t misrepresented your posts. Re-read them. But I’m wondering if having the NAACP come out in favor of the levy is going to have a positive or negative impact.

The NAACP President, with support from the membership, has been very vocal in his many articles and public statements castigating white people in Cincinnati (except COAST--the group that actually deserves it) with blanket generalizations and stereotypical condemnations. Whether the subject is Joe Deters, a judge unfairly sentencing someone or corporate Cincinnati’s foibles, his inevitable conclusion is that all white people bear the burden and the “white community” and “white domination” are responsible.

It’s going to be difficult to now frame an argument that will persuade whites to endorse what could be called by some a “regressive tax” when one of the self-appointed spokespersons in favor of the levy, clearly loathes them. After all, many of those white, hairy-legged, Berkenstock wearing liberals are the very taxpayers and voters that may tip the scales. It’ll be interesting to watch.

L.G. says:
01 Feb 2008 at 09:04 am | #

You have misrepresnted my posts and you cannot even point out where I have stated that people are selfish, all of the taxpayers are not doing enough nor have I said that they are doing nothing.

“Self-appointed spokesperson” again is a misrepresentation of facts, Cincysuz. The NAACP Cincinnati branch elects its President to articulate the organization’s position on issues. The branch voted to support the school levy. The President articulates the branch’s position on public policy. Therefore, the President is not a self-appointed spokesperson...he is an elected spokesperson. That’s how the organization works.

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Saturday, January 26, 2008