LETTER: County Should Not Cut School Board Positions

March 23, 2013

DEAR EDITOR,

We would like to register our disagreement as well as displeasure concerning the consideration by the Northampton County Board of Supervisors with the elimination of the two at-large members of the school board, thereby reducing the number of members from seven to five.

Removing the two at-large positions for this first election will possibly eliminate candidates who happen to live in the same district. Currently, if as many as three citizens worthy of being elected live in the same district, they nevertheless are able to run for election (two at-large and one in the district) with the possibility of being elected.

With the elimination of the two at-large positions only one of those three candidates can be elected. The chance for diversity of all kinds so necessary in our community will be lessened. We need more voices rather than less at this very important time.

Last November the citizens of Northampton County spoke in an overwhelming voice of their concerns and dissatisfaction as to the state of our public schools.

Almost 80% of the voters made it crystal clear that they were unhappy with the direction in which our schools were headed and wanted to have more control over both the policies as well as those persons in control.

At this time it must be apparent to the supervisors that the state of our schools has become a very real and important concern to our citizens.

To eliminate two members of the board at this crucial time will send a message to the populace (whether intended or not) that their desires are in fact not important.

Citizens want more input into school policies, as will be afforded by election of school board members, rather than less, which will be the result if two positions are eliminated.

I don’t believe the supervisors realize the level of frustration among our citizens with regard to public education in our county. Many parents have/are/will remove their children from the public schools in order to find a different way to educate their children. There are now four growing private schools in Northampton County.

It is very strange that the supervisors have chosen this particular time to consider reducing the number of representatives on the school board.

Very shortly after the citizens voted to take control of the determination of who will now serve, they now propose to eliminate two members. It is difficult to assume any motives on their part other than an attempt to demonstrate to the public once more that they are still in control.

The citizens of Northampton County are not interested in a very public dispute with the Board of Supervisors as to the make-up of our school board.

There is simply a great desire among the people to have the possibility for more control over an institution so dear to our hearts.

Please consider the timing of this change and the message it will send to the voters.

Please let your supervisor know your feelings concerning this possible change.

RANDALL PARKS
Friends of Northampton County Public Schools

Letters to the Editor are welcome on any subject relevant to Cape Charles, and a diversity of opinions is encouraged. Letters should be original and never submitted elsewhere. Send submissions to [email protected].

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3 Responses to “LETTER: County Should Not Cut School Board Positions”

  1. Anthony Sacco on March 23rd, 2013 12:04 pm

    I’m with Mr. Parks on this one

  2. Linda Schulz on March 28th, 2013 3:15 pm

    As a point of clarification, it is my understanding that since the seven member school board plan for Northampton County is state law (recently signed into law by the Governor) its composition cannot be changed by a local governing body.

    In addition, the state law establishing the seven member elected school board for Northampton County will have to be approved at the Federal level by the Justice Department, as it is a voting rights/civil rights issue. We shall see what they say.

    It is possible that the Justice Department will decide that at- large candidates might in fact dilute the diversity of the school board by compromising the minority majority proportions built into our districting plan. They might conclude that since about 60% of the population of the county is white, the at-large candidates elected would be more likely to represent the white majority than the 40% minority of non-white African Americans and Hispanics? They may decide we’re much safer going with 5 school board members, each representing a district. Then, it would be more likely that at least two of the districts would elect board members that would represent the interests of the minority. In simple terms, more does not necessarily equal diversity, it may result in the opposite.

  3. Anthony Sacco on March 29th, 2013 2:56 am

    We have to find new leadership, the elected school board is the training ground to get people motivated that serving their community has rewards of self esteem knowing ‘you make a difference’ and a contribution to a better school system. If they do a negative job the public will vote them out, that is the American way. Some may argue diversity I argue quality of a person’s heart , intelligence and dedication in serving . We must tap into the schools and motivate the students to also run for office as a school board member.The chances of having a future leader in politics will always come from a elected group and the chances of that happening is greater in the numbers and I stand to say more is better then few. I will stand with the court decision whatever that may be. Mr. Parks you are on the right tract.

    Anthony Sacco, former ‘Northampton County Democratic Chairperson’