Jan. 24, 2006: NSA reaction to Board vote on Jefferson proposals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE —January 24, 2006

Moving forward in the Jeff cluster: NSA’s hopes and expectations

NSA CONTACTS: NE-Lakeitha Elliott, 503-484-4930; N-Nancy Smith, 503-285-0500; SE-Cindy Young, 503-232-6559; SW-Ruth Adkins, 503-977-2933 Portland, Ore. - Last night the Portland School Board, as expected, unanimously endorsed the Superintendent’s redesign proposals for the Jefferson Cluster. Some of these proposals are very good; others are not. The Neighborhood Schools Alliance (NSA)—a racially, economically, and geographically diverse group that formed nearly a year ago in opposition to school closures and the reconfiguration of the Jefferson cluster—will continue to fight for accountability and equity in Portland’s public schools. We are not going away. As we move into this new phase in the Jefferson cluster, here are NSA’s hopes and expectations:

• We stand by every one of our stated concerns, comments, and objections to the Jefferson proposals. Board members may scold all they want, but the objections are genuine and they are valid.
• We sincerely hope that all the proposals are successful in doing what they are supposed to do: raise enrollment and achievement in the Jefferson cluster.
• We hope that this year—and every year from now on— Jefferson students will have a yearbook, just like every other high school in town. Not to mention a prom, graduation party, chorus, marching band, regular band, jazz band, working grand piano, journalism classes, updated science labs….
• We hope that there will be sufficient enrollment in the four new vertically organized schools at Jeff and Tubman.
• We still don’t know where all the money is coming from, but we will do our best to track the dollars and grant monies.
• We hope PPS's legal bills will not mount, and that they will not be presented with legal challenges under Title IX.
• We look forward to the establishment of a citywide dress code and “encouragement” of each school to explore uniforms. That should be an interesting process.
• We hope the tardy bell/ policy are changed so that students have enough time to pass between classes and are not penalized by missing precious class time.
• We will hold the Board to their promise to keep the Jefferson cluster reforms on the front burner and in the public eye.
• We expect to see public evidence of progress along the way, and we intend to keep watch to see that this happens.
• We hope that in ten years, Tubman and Jefferson will still be public neighborhood schools.
• We look forward to seeing all the great things that Jefferson students will accomplish in the years ahead, despite the inequities in their schools and the obstacles placed in their way.

Although we remain skeptical about the Jefferson redesign process, we are encouraged by the movement that is growing in support of neighborhood schools, equity, and democratic decision-making in public schools:

• Jefferson students led the charge and defeated the uniform proposal.
• Jefferson PTSA created a revised set of proposals that provides a detailed blueprint for productive change.
• Portland teachers’ union president Ann Nice spoke eloquently about neighborhood schools at MLK day. (“Every child deserves a quality public education and they deserve to find it right in their own neighborhood. Every child deserves a neighborhood school that offers equal access to programs.”)
• NSA joined forces with ACORN to fight for children’s safety getting to school.
• Long-standing community groups such as ACORN, Sisters in Action, and OABA continue to provide outstanding and inspiring leadership.

The Neighborhood Schools Alliance is a diverse group of parents, teachers, and community members from all areas of Portland working together to support and strengthen our neighborhood schools. For more information on NSA and to sign up for NSA updates & info, visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NSANews/