Forum examines minority issues

ST. PETERSBURG -- Halfway through a series of forums to address minority issues in Pinellas County schools, organizers say, one thing is clear: Tackling issues such as student achievement gaps, minority hiring and promotions, and graduation rates will take a lot more meetings.

Unitary status -- a term that means integration has been achieved in a school system -- was the main topic discussed Monday in the third of six scheduled meetings organized by the African-American Voters Research and Education Committee. Participants fired tough questions at district officials, asking for an update on specific steps they have taken to remove patterns of segregation in public schools.

Jim Madden, director of unitary status implementation, reported that the district has achieved unitary status in the six areas -- known as "green factors" -- mandated by the federal court order to end desegregation. These areas are quality of education, student assignment, extracurricular activities, transportation, facilities and resources, and instructional and administrative staff.

But audience members pushed for details: Who in the district is responsible for monitoring unitary status? How is the attainment of unitary status measured? How is the monitoring function carried out?

Vyrle Davis, a retired educator and AAVREC chairman, said Madden and School Board lawyer John Bowen shed some light on the issue, but he has more questions.

"They provided a lot of information, but we still have some concerns," Davis said. "We're concerned about our kids. We have some questions. We need some answers."

Davis and representatives from other groups responsible for organizing the forums, which include the NAACP, the Urban League, the Interdenominational Ministerial Association, the Panhellenic Council and the Coalition for a Safe and Drug Free St. Petersburg, have decided to take district officials up on their offer to come back to the group and present additional information in a workshop format.

School Board member Mary Russell will address "Perspectives on Vision and Directions for the Pinellas County School District" at the next forum, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the James Weldon Johnson Branch Library, 1154 18th Ave. S.

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