|
|
|
|
|
 |
1. I was at last week’s community building meeting w/ the Mayor at his HQ, where he told me that education reform - in reference to low income/at risk youth schools, where we have totally neglected the Latino and African American populace - will take 20 years. While I am a realist, this projection is unacceptable - to put it mildly. The fact that we even have low-income schools is a ridiculous notion for a city with such business and real estate wealth. I suggested adopting a school model from a succesful state, such as Minnesota. I feel a complete overhaul of this nature wouldn’t even take 20 years. Does the mayor even realize what 20 years means? That is all the students in K-12 now, plus another generation of K-8. I don’t know the numbers, but to me 20 years is not education reform. It is a blatant disregard for inner city youth. It is blatant gentrification - supported by the 3rd Street upgrade proposals of which he spoke. It is a blatant attempt to push all low income families out of San Francisco. That is what will be the result of a proposed 20 year educational reform. Everyone I tell this number to is repulsed. I dread going back to work in these communities to tell the families it’s going to take another 20 years. And even if that’s the case, what changes will really come about? The after school programs he spoke of aren’t funded by the city. They’re funded by the NPOs I work for. It didn’t take 20 years to approve gay marriage and it didn’t take 20 years to have social healthcare in this town. Marin has a free lunch program that serves all organic, healthy food to their needy - and it comes in a recyclable container. That didn’t take 20 years. And don’t tell me about urban test scores when states have the authority to lower the standard. This is unacceptable. The Mayor’s negligence to education is unacceptable. And all his opponent(s) has to do is say they will reform education in 10 years to beat him out. While ten years is also a complete joke, it will be a better plan than the Mayor’s.
I am very disillusioned, as are all of the families I relay his message to.
San Francisco will not remember the mayor who restored City Hall to its aesthetic glory. Nor will it remember the gay marriage or social healthcare mayor. Education is the key to any community’s growth. Education will be the strength that keeps this city in its glory and keeps its memory of a mayor.
Find a new model for education and hire (or we will elect) people who will put change into effect immediately.
Until then, go Stuart Hall, Hamlin, and all the other private schools. Or the West Side public sector.
P.S. He has the vote of the people whose main concern is parking tickets.
2. Have a mediator and allot a specified amount of time to each person who attends so that all may speak. This will require the Mayor to be more concise and lighten up on the campaigning.
Katherine Rochemont
- : 1.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 18th, 2007 at 4:49 am
I agree with your point about education reform taking 20 years being ridiculous. However, I think everyone should be entitled to a quality education not just the “Latino and African-American populace”. I’m so sick and tired of people making everything about race. Improve schools because improved schools are a good thing for everyone. Race is completely irrelevent.