Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 26, 1995 TAG: 9501260076
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Many African-Americans believe that creating charter schools will in fact lead to resegregation, job loss for African-American teachers and administrators, and a loss of already inadequate funding for public schools. This fear is perhaps stronger today than when desegregation of schools began in the early '60s. The difference is we asked for desegregation; charter schools are being shoved down our throats.
Who stands to gain the most from charter schools? Certainly not those who are on the lower end of the socioeconomic scale, regardless of their race. Many African-Americans believe these children will benefit the least.
Of course, the African-American community recognizes that there are many problems within the public-school system, but we're not prepared to experiment with our children's future with the notion that charter schools will benefit and better prepare them to become productive citizens. We cannot afford to gamble with our future leaders' education.
Many African-Americans believe that rather than create another school system within the public-school system, funds would be better spent by raising teachers' salaries, improving or building schools, and raising the quality of education in existing schools. History has shown that where there is sweeping change in our public-school system, lower-income students as well as African-American educators suffer the most during the process.
Artis' statement that the charge of re-segregation is a desperate attempt to inject the issue of race into the proposed education reform is unfounded. If we're honest, we know the race issue was the contributing factor to desegregating public schools. Many African-Americans are not convinced that creation of charter schools will not be based on race and socioeconomic background.
ONZLEE WARE
ROANOKE
Wiser heads must prevail in Richmond
I'M EXTREMELY disappointed in Gov. Allen's budget proposals. My major concerns are proposed cuts in funds for public education, public radio and television, as well as cuts for cultural institutions such as the Roanoke museums.
I'm also concerned that he doesn't want the business people to pay their share of taxes. As a retired person, this last concern is probably my greatest since I wonder how those in my situation will manage to pay additional property taxes that will be required.
I'm also concerned that Allen and Republicans in general will greatly weaken public education, regardless of how well-meaning they are. I was raised by very poor but hard-working parents in Russell County. However, I was able to go to nursing school and to graduate first in my class because I attended the best schools in our poor area of Virginia - the public schools.
I only hope that wiser heads will prevail and, of course, I'm betting on Del. Dick Cranwell since he's also from the great Far Southwest Virginia.
BOBBIE R. JACKSON
DALEVILLE
Discrimination is alive and well
THE Jan. 12 news article ``Frozen out on the wrong side of the line'' is a textbook case of abuse of power, and it points to the fact that discrimination is alive and well in Roanoke County because a trailer isn't worthy to set next to our new dump.
As a landowner on Bradshaw Road, I feel that one of our Roanoke County supervisors should be ousted at the earliest opportunity and our planning director should find bigger issues to occupy his time.
Grow up, and live and let live. We shouldn't have to go to heaven so that we all can live in peace and harmony.
MRS. JULIAN D. WALKER
ROANOKE
The plight of children
IN RESPONSE to Donna Garrett's Jan. 11 letter, ``Dogs fare better than children'':
I agree emphatically that many children lead lives of neglect and abuse. In fact, statistics show that one out of four children in the United States lives in poverty.
However, for her to blame the plight of children on dogs is ridiculous. The two are completely separate issues. We should strive to make children's lives better, not by making dogs' lives worse but by community involvement, by improving the lives of families, and by focusing on the issues that tend to make children's lives insufferable: poverty, substance and physical abuse, etc.
JULIA ORR
CHRISTIANSBURG
by CNB