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terrybankert
F L I N T O I D
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Wed May 02, 2007 2:45 am |
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terrybankert
F L I N T O I D
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Dear Mr. Dumas,
I am responding to your email to Attorney Terry Bankert.
I have read and considered your letter and feel that as a member of Great Schools Initiative I must reject your broad and untrue characterizations.
First Great Schools Initiative is an eclectic group of Afrian Americans, Latinos, and Caucasian. Our only agenda is one that the Board of Education received and applauded in the Spring of 2005. Simply put, our vision is for the Flint Schools to become the best schools in the State. We support all strategies that will lead in that direction. By "best schools in the State" we mean by any way they are measured: tests, dropout rates, parental satisfaction, community support, graduation rates, etc. We have a base of some 400 people from across the city, mostly African American, who have told us what they want for their children. We relayed those views through our Vision statement to the Board. In February we took a poll of those people to seek their evaluation of the schools and the Board of Education.
Your accusation that we are creating a deep divide is untrue and deliberately antagonistic. Your language and its ideology is mired in the 1960's and demonstrates your lack of knowledge of Flint in 2007. One of the very surprising discoveries of our 16 meetings held all across the City, attended mostly by African Americans, was that there was no raising of race as an issue, none. That is not to say it is not an issue. Some have said that we need to learn we are in the minority--the reference meaning we are an all white group. We are not such a group, and we are aware that white students are in a substantial minority.
We have made quality education the issue, which in fairness covers everything from instruction to the performance of the Superintendent and the Board of Education. Our endorsed candidates were selected on the basis of their skills, knowledge and our perceptions the kinds of skills the Board of Education needs and does not now have. Since you raised the issue of race you must have noticed that of the five endorsements we made, three were African American and two were Caucasion. One of the reasons we endorsed Dr. Cross was because of his experience and knowledge of financial issues and human resource issues. While you are correct his vetinary practice is located in Grand Blanc, you seem to be unaware that he is employed by Baker College where he serves in a faculty leadership position. His residence, of course, is in Flint. It may also be that you are unaware that his child is enrolled in a Roman Catholic school because his religious views. I'm confident that had you known that you would not have criticized him for an act of conscience. Such criticism puts you in a bad light.
In conclusion, the Great Schools Initiative is not dividing the city but seeking to unite it in achieveing the best schools in the State. Moreoever our style, language and tone has not been divisive. We have not attacked any candidates or groups or people. What we are seeking to do is to hold the school community's leadership accountable for their failure to achieve. Regretably, you sir with your broad and untrue characterizations, are the one introducting polarization and division into our community.
Incidentally, since you have not attended any of our meetings, I hope you will attend one soon so that you can join with your neighbors in working to make the Flint Schools the best in the State.
Sincerely,
Reginald Lancaster |
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Wed May 02, 2007 2:05 pm |
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terrybankert
F L I N T O I D
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Tomorrow ! Tuesday, May 8th --- is School Board Election Day in Flint !!!! PLEASE join me in voting for these great candidates for the future of Flint and the Flint Community Schools !
for the one year term - with one person to be elected: Jennifer Dillard
for the two year term - with one person to be elected: Michael Cross
and, for the full four year term -- with three to be elected:
Fred Bashir, Antoinette Lockett and John Topping
AND, if you would like to increase our voting power, you might pass this on to three to five Flint friends, relatives or neighbors!
Thank you sincerely,
Jack Minore
610 Commonwealth Ave
Flint, MI 48503
810 - 235-1490
jacksonmin@aol.com |
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Mon May 07, 2007 7:46 am |
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