AUBURN - Auburnians presented some weighty topics at a “town meeting” discussion put on Wednesday by the local chapter of the NAACP.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People called upon the Auburn Enlarged City School District to join community members in an open forum at the Apostolic Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Auburn. Topics brought up by attendees ranged from hiring more black teachers in Auburn schools to implementing more character training in school curricula.
“The NAACP is trying to make moves and make change,” said Eliezer Hernandez, president of the Auburn/Cayuga branch of the NAACP and an Auburn teacher. “One of our biggest issues is the school district ... this is only going to happen if we all get together.”
Jeff Pirozzolo, assistant superintendent for personnel, and Camille Johnson, assistant superintendent of student services, came to the meeting to represent the district. Auburn superintendent J.D. Pabis was not able to attend due to his mother's death.
Pirozzolo and Johnson opened the meeting by stressing the district's need for diversity and outlining some of the diversity initiatives they already have in place.
“I think we need to make sure we meet the needs of all the students in our school,” said Pirozzolo.
He told attendees about the schools' year-round diversity training. So far, 204 adults and 92 students in the district have undergone the training, said Pirozzolo.
The district also has initiatives for hiring people of color. District recruiting teams travel to Albany, Rochester and Buffalo, trying to attract talented black and other ethnic teachers. Students have told Pirozzolo they would like more black teachers in school, he said.
Despite these initiatives, students, parents and community members still had questions and voiced concerns.
One of the student attendees stood at the podium and addressed the room.
“There is still a problem in school with people using the N-word and pulling others down,” said Rashelle Glover, a 10th grader at Auburn High School.
Other questions centered around the school's need to reach out to parents of students of color. Pirozzolo encouraged students and parents who have a problem to come forth and start a dialogue.
Joseph Karlson, of Auburn, asked about the percentage of students of color in the district. The number is between 9 and 10 percent, according to Johnson.
Several other attendees had the chance to speak. Susan Allen, of Auburn, who has two children at the high school, summed up the general sentiments of the evening.
“It doesn't matter if we have 100 black teachers in the school,” she said. “It's the quality of the teachers that matters.”
Staff writer Kelly Voll can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or kelly.voll@lee.net.
“The NAACP is trying to make moves and make change,” said Eliezer Hernandez, president of the Auburn/Cayuga branch of the NAACP and an Auburn teacher. “One of our biggest issues is the school district ... this is only going to happen if we all get together.”
Jeff Pirozzolo, assistant superintendent for personnel, and Camille Johnson, assistant superintendent of student services, came to the meeting to represent the district. Auburn superintendent J.D. Pabis was not able to attend due to his mother's death.
Pirozzolo and Johnson opened the meeting by stressing the district's need for diversity and outlining some of the diversity initiatives they already have in place.
“I think we need to make sure we meet the needs of all the students in our school,” said Pirozzolo.
He told attendees about the schools' year-round diversity training. So far, 204 adults and 92 students in the district have undergone the training, said Pirozzolo.
The district also has initiatives for hiring people of color. District recruiting teams travel to Albany, Rochester and Buffalo, trying to attract talented black and other ethnic teachers. Students have told Pirozzolo they would like more black teachers in school, he said.
Despite these initiatives, students, parents and community members still had questions and voiced concerns.
One of the student attendees stood at the podium and addressed the room.
“There is still a problem in school with people using the N-word and pulling others down,” said Rashelle Glover, a 10th grader at Auburn High School.
Other questions centered around the school's need to reach out to parents of students of color. Pirozzolo encouraged students and parents who have a problem to come forth and start a dialogue.
Joseph Karlson, of Auburn, asked about the percentage of students of color in the district. The number is between 9 and 10 percent, according to Johnson.
Several other attendees had the chance to speak. Susan Allen, of Auburn, who has two children at the high school, summed up the general sentiments of the evening.
“It doesn't matter if we have 100 black teachers in the school,” she said. “It's the quality of the teachers that matters.”
Staff writer Kelly Voll can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or kelly.voll@lee.net.
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GMAN wrote on Oct 22, 2009 1:37 PM:
liberal karl wrote on Oct 22, 2009 12:36 PM:
By the way--it doesn't matter if you agree with Obama's policies or not. The "real" "gman" is still a racist if he sees the country as "lowering our standards" to elect a Black man. WHY?! What does the color of his skin have to do with it, oh Racist One?
I would say that, based on the Republicans' abysmal record over the past 8 years, we "elevated ourselves" above NOT ELECTING an old, White, Christian Male. "
gman wrote on Oct 22, 2009 11:57 AM:
steindog13 wrote on Oct 22, 2009 11:48 AM:
Gman wrote on Oct 22, 2009 10:55 AM:
liberal karl wrote on Oct 22, 2009 10:22 AM:
America elevated itself out of the racism of the past generations, and voted NOT for a "Black" man, but for a man who expressed Integrity, Change, and Hope, and all you can see in your twisted brain is the color of his skin. What a sign of a SMALL MIND.
Obviously, the type of people that the NAACP is talking about is YOU. "
one opinion wrote on Oct 22, 2009 9:29 AM:
horseradish wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:59 AM:
stick wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:41 AM:
gman wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:22 AM:
one opinion wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:17 AM:
cm wrote on Oct 22, 2009 7:02 AM:
rmg13021 wrote on Oct 22, 2009 6:25 AM: