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Changes to schools' minority committee met with criticism
The group that advises Loudoun schools on minority issues is changing in November, and Loudoun NAACP members are concerned they will no longer have enough of a voice.
Instead of accepting community members such as minority group activists, the Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee now will be composed solely of parents of students from Loudoun schools.
The committee works with the School Board to advocate for minority students. The change comes along with the committee's new bylaws, enacted by a School Board vote Aug. 12.
"This is a rejection of the NAACP's efforts," said Reginald Early, president of the Loudoun chapter of the NAACP. "Relying solely on parents eliminates the part for organized groups of minorities."
Doris Kidder, assistant secretary of the Loudoun NAACP, voiced the same concern.
"These bylaws effectively eliminate participation of every volunteer participant who has made a significant contribution over the years," she said.
School Board members have said the new PTA/PTO representatives will help organize and revitalize the committee, which was formerly run by a group of community activists, none of whom currently have students in Loudoun schools.
"The meetings are universally frustrating for everyone involved," School Board Vice Chairman John Stevens (Potomac) recently wrote in his online blog. "No parent, administrator, civil rights activist or School Board member has ever relayed to me their satisfaction with an MSAAC meeting."
School Board members said the intent of the new bylaws is not to exclude anyone, but to try to get more parents involved.
"I've often thought that if we reached out to parents in schools we might get a broader type of advice from this committee, which is created to advise the school board," said school board member J. Warren Geurin (Sterling).
He added that members of all public groups are welcome to attend any committee meeting and provide their input.
Contact the reporter at ecoe@timespapers.com
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