Friday, September 03, 2010

David Williams Being David Williams

This from H-L:

Cynical ploy by Williams, Seum

Williams, Seum attack local control

State Senate President David Williams and his fellow Republican, Sen. Dan Seum, went into full pander mode last week, thereby removing any doubts election season has arrived in Kentucky.

Williams and Seum pre-filed legislation that would guarantee K-12 students the right to attend the public school nearest to their home.

Because the bill would open the way to resegregating the state's schools, this was a rather blatant playing of the race card by two men who hope it will improve their chances in upcoming elections.

Seum faces a challenge in November in his Jefferson County district, where public unrest with the local busing plan flared anew after schools reopened last month. Williams has all but declared his entry in the 2011 gubernatorial field, and no doubt hopes to reap statewide benefit from his variation on former Republican President Richard Nixon's infamous "Southern strategy."

This is a cynical political ploy for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the hypocrisy of Republicans who preach against "Big Brother" government while auditioning for the role of Big Brother themselves....

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

No, I don't see it as a "race card" ploy at all. It is well documented that black parents in Louisville want to be able to go to schools closest to their homes, too. All children should be able to go to the schools nearest their homes.

Richard Day said...

Well documented? Where?

The only thing I am aware of being documented is a cry for good schools in black neighborhoods.

I like neighborhood schools myself. But the problem with the neighborhood school concept over the decades has been the persistent lack of a good school in every neighborhood. If we had maintained good schools in black neighborhoods, I have no doubt things would be different today.

The problem for school districts is that they are expected to provide schools with diverse populations, sometimes under court order, while the city maintained segregated housing patterns. So the wheels on the buses go round.

It is a simple fact that Williams' plan would resegregate the schools.

Consider the elementary schools in Lexington. My information is not current but I suspect many of them would become 95%+ white: Clays Mill, Stonewall, Rosa Parks, James Lane Allen, Garden Springs, Athens, Veteran's Park, Cassidy...probably more.

TNT40 said...

Richard,

While I enjoy your blog and agree with most of what you write, I disagree with you here.

Assuming that the Neighborhood Schools Bill gets out of the legislature (and that's a huge assumption because I think it would be dead in the House), I'm not sure that it will make that big of a difference in Lexington. Lexington's problem with respect to its elementary boundaries is not racial, but is simply the fact that Lexington's development was poorly planned and the location of the schools did not meet the population growth. For the most part, Lexington is a late developing city. The majority of Lexington's neighborhoods sprung up in the era of fair housing and, as a result, Lexington has some pretty racially diverse neighborhoods. This is especially true on the north and west ends of the city and is refected in the schools as well. Harrison, Sandersville, Cardinal Valley, Russell Cave, BTWA, Mary Tood and Deep Springs come to mind there. Sandersville and BTWA would be racially diverse with or without the redistricting out there. (I'm in the part of Sandersville's current district that was moved to BTWA. Frankly, I like the diversity of both schools so that isn't the issue with me. I care about how the schools perform. I'm still a little miffed that Stu thought it was a great idea to send my kids in the Coventry neighborhood from a closer, high performing school to a lower performing school that is farther away. I plan on taking those frustrations out on Kirk Tinsley in November.)

Some of the schools you mentioned, particularly Cassidy, James Lane Allen, Rosa Parks and Veteran's Park, have attendance boundaries that accurately surround those neighborhoods, thereby making them neighborhood schools more or less. There isn't much complaining about those boundaries from parents, either. It you look at the boundaries for Garden Springs, Stonewall, Picadome, Clays Mill and Lansdowne, you will see some really screwed up boundaries, particuarly with respect to the neighborhoods around the Jessamine/Fayette line. Athens and Breckinridge have some odd boundaries as well. I would hate to live in the Picadome district by the Jessamine County line and have to drive by 5 closer schools (Stonewall, Rosa Parks, proposed at Keithshie, Clays Mill and Garden Springs) to get to Picadome. To me, that is ridiculous.

I'd be interested to see if the boundaries become a big issue in the school board elections. I would actually welcome it if the candidates would discuss it.

Richard Day said...

TNT40: We agree its not likely to become law. I think Williams might secretly agree with that himself.

I'll stipulate that you are more familiar with the recent developments on the northside of town. And I certainly understand the sentiments undergirding the neighborhood school idea. But in practice, I promise you that a substantial resegregation would occur - and one can only hope that outcome is not intentional nor intended to pander to those of less noble objectives.

I keep a map of Fayette County students by race in my office. (The school district has very good data on this.) It is, admittedly, about ten years old now but it does not show the racial diversity you refer to - and if there has been some great shift in recent years, I haven't seen it.

The segregated housing patterns in Fayette County are not only the result of poor city planning but also deliberate attempts on the part of some developers to marginalize the poor (and therefore many African Americans) and keep them out of sight. In the private sector, profit frequently trumps social justice.

Remember the National Development
Corporation lands off Reynolds Road? It was held for a long time as land to be used to provide affordable housing in southwest Lexington. It was acquired for private development with the understanding that affordable housing would form some percentage of the development. The school district was involved in the talks that led to the private undertaking. But after acquisition, the developer apparently forgot his promises and today afforbale housing is nowhere to be found in Beaumont. Since that represented the last substanital parcel of land available in that part of town, the school district will deal with the fall out for the foreseeable future.

But I take your point. I wouldn't like some of the scenairos you describe either and would make my home purchases accordingly. But Williams' solution is no solution.

Richard Day said...

TNT40: We agree its not likely to become law. I think Williams might secretly agree with that himself.

I'll stipulate that you are more familiar with the recent developments on the northside of town. And I certainly understand the sentiments undergirding the neighborhood school idea. But in practice, I promise you that a substantial resegregation would occur - and one can only hope that outcome is not intentional nor intended to pander to those of less noble objectives.

I keep a map of Fayette County students by race in my office. (The school district has very good data on this.) It is, admittedly, about ten years old now but it does not show the racial diversity you refer to - and if there has been some great shift in recent years, I haven't seen it.

The segregated housing patterns in Fayette County are not only the result of poor city planning but also deliberate attempts on the part of some developers to marginalize the poor (and therefore many African Americans) and keep them out of sight. In the private sector, profit frequently trumps social justice.

Remember the National Development
Corporation lands off Reynolds Road? It was held for a long time as land to be used to provide affordable housing in southwest Lexington. It was acquired for private development with the understanding that affordable housing would form some percentage of the development. The school district was involved in the talks that led to the private undertaking. But after acquisition, the developer apparently forgot his promises and today afforbale housing is nowhere to be found in Beaumont. Since that represented the last substanital parcel of land available in that part of town, the school district will deal with the fall out for the foreseeable future.

But I take your point. I wouldn't like some of the scenairos you describe either and would make my home purchases accordingly. But Williams' solution is no solution.

Anonymous said...

Please help me, readers! Were Black Louisville parents not involved in (listed as plaintiffs) the lawsuit to stop Louisville kids from being bussed so far from their homes for the sake of racial parity? If so, why is David Williams being villified in these pages?

Richard Day said...

There is no doubt in my mind that some African Americans would like Williams's bill, especially those who live near a school they like. What I'm wondering is why any parent from Louisville would feel compelled to post their opinions on this topic anonymously.

How are readers to judge whether you are who you portray yourself to be?

KSN&C would benefit from more black voices speaking out for better schools.

Anonymous said...

Lately, you seem to be disturbed by people who feel unable or unwilling to give their names. It's almost as if we are becoming unwelcome contributors.

If I worked in higher ed, as you do, I would have no problem giving my name, but being a school teacher, academic freedom does not apply to me. I must remain anonymous until retirement.

Richard Day said...

Yeah, I get that. ...although that is not my intent.

First of all, ask around. I wasn't exactly a shrinking violet when I was working in Fayette County either.

That being said, I really do not fault any teacher for commenting anomymously. I am aware of the unsupportive political climate in some districts...and we really do appreciate the comments.

But a private citizen? I say speak up.

Also, remember it is not only teachers who read this blog. There are also politically motivated individuals who comment as well. When that is done openly (like Richard Innes, Eric Schansberg and others do from time to time) readers can decide for themselves what to believe. They sign their names and speak their piece. W3e can agree or disagree honestly.

But if, say, someone posting from Lexington claims to be a black couple from Louisville - well, that's different.

A commenter who states an opinion can say what they will. But a commenter who makes particular claims, as though they speak for a group of people or have some special insight, ought to provide some verification.

I guess I'm just skeptical of some claims. I hope you are too.

Thanks for the comment.

Anonymous said...

I work in Fayette County Public Schools. I know you, Richard, and I know you spoke up when you were at Cassidy. When Stu came, you left.I don't think he would have tolerated you, or your opinions, as a principal.

As for me, I know that if I were to speak up on ed policy issues, I'd be removed from my regular classroom and be given a cart to go from class to class. I am a critical thinker, just like you, but I simply can't give my name now. That being said, we were told Stu would be gone in four years. When that happens, I think many of us will feel free to speak about ed policy.

Thanks for understanding.

Richard Innes said...

Richard,

I am disappointed.

First, I object to your dismissing my involvement in education issues as merely being “politically motivated.” I hope most of your readers can see through that. As far as politics go, I have never run for office and do not contemplate ever doing so. I’m far too direct to ever be a politician.

To set the record straight, I’m involved because I see some better ways to do things and I know that, sometimes, outright terrible decisions are being made. Sometimes, those bad decisions impact teachers, sometimes parents and students, sometimes taxpayers.

Next, I am amazed at your lack of understanding about why some parents are intimidated by the school system and are afraid to expose their children to retribution from that system.

For one example, look at the busing mess in Louisville. Can’t you see the potential for intimidation when the school system, not the parent, decides if a child attends a neighborhood school or gets hauled all the way across town to some low-performing embarrassment to public education?

Another example involves parents of students with learning disabilities. These parents sometimes are afraid to speak out when their children don’t get the services the law requires. Sometimes, when these parents approach parent advocates who are supposed to help, the parents are told not to file a complaint because their child will suffer retribution during the years a complaint can take to process.

Richard, I don’t think any of these things happened in the school you ran, but there are a lot of other schools in Kentucky that don’t have you as principal, superintendent, or governing school board member.

Anyway, the system can, and has, devoured more than individual teachers who speak out. That is why the Bluegrass Institute has always welcomed anonymous comments, and I doubt we will ever change that policy. It applies to all, be they parents, students, teachers, taxpayers, and even politicians. This policy allows our readers to form more objective conclusions.

Richard Day said...

Yeah. ...and again, I really do understand and welcome as many teacher comments as we can get.

I was initially sorry I would not be working with Stu - I left in June 2004 and he started in July. In retrospect, we might well have butted heads on a few issues and there's no reason for me to think I would have received any different treatment than others who have disagreed. My wife thinks it's probably a good thing was not elected to the board.

I haven't heard that Stu would be gone in four, but he certainly promised to be in Fayette County at least that long. And he fended off a few entrities to go elsewhere in the meantime. Has he said anything about leaving? ...or are folks simply figuring when his ten year promise is up?

Anonymous said...

We were also told at the so-called "literacy meeting" that Stu would be gone in four years and that we must get our non-writers' scores up. I have no problem teaching literacy--love it, in fact---but I knew this was a veiled threat. In other words, heads will roll if Stu does not see the gains.

I do indeed wish you were running for school board. Now that you are at EKU, I think you have the authority and the name recognition to win. But, I could be wrong. Perhaps the voters of Chevy Chase want Rick Queen, whom I have reason to believe is very sympathetic to David Williams and his education policies.

Richard Day said...

Richard: First an apology. I just found your message in the blogger spam folder and I dug it out. I have no idea why it went there. I always post your comments. Indeed, I mentioned you as a positive example of one who speaks his mind and signs his name.

Surely you are not arguing that your work at BIPPS is apolitical. One need not run for office to be politically-motivated.

I understand that many folks are intimidated, but in my opinion, some have more valid reasons for that than others. What's probably at the core of my disgruntlement, however, is the thought that if we allow ourselves to be intimidated, then the power structure is not challenged, and in my view, becomes less responsive and less effective. I think it leads to deafness and laziness on the part of our leaders.

Then, I wonder what kind of country would we have if the founders had all waited for someone else to lead the charge? They are revered because they were exceptions and they took great risks.

September 11, 2010 12:12 PM: Thanks for the vote of confidence, but since the election I've gone a different direction and am committed to other pursuits. Besides, not winning was my own fault. I didn't run so much as I just threw my hat in the ring. I refused donations until the eleventh hour, spent about $300 and didn't deserve to win based on what might losely be called my campaign.

Well, maybe Stu has plotted a course for his future.

Tell me, what is meant by a "non-writer's" score? We didn't talk that way in my day. Would that refer to students who have scribes?

Richard