Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / June 7, 1990, edition 1 / Page 4
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On middle school funding ALL of the studies have been done and suggestions made. The staff of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School Sys tem has presented its budget recommendations to the school board. The school system says it will need more than $190 million dollars in its total budget to operate in the fall. Of that, a^$S9;lTnillTon~doHar budget request now rests^with-our coun rnmmissinnprs, who must make a decision to approve the school system's budget in conjunction with the county's overall budget by the end of this month. Commissioners, please con sider the following thoughts in your deliberations. One thing has been made clear from the critical and far reaching review of our school system and its needs, and that is that a general overhaul of our middle school program is a must. Among the many items the school system is asking for is nearly $1.6 million dollars in new funds to improve our middle schools. That money would pay for 31 additional teachers and nine teaching assistants who would help maintain Chapter 1 type math labs for middle school students who need remedial help. In addition, that money would pay for 13 assistant principals, purchase science equipment and relocate and renovate science labs. These are worthwhile items that are vital to the success of the middle school improvement plan. The middle school experience is supposed to provide the transition hetu/ppn the rnmplp.tp.1y splf-rnntainpxi class found in elementary schools and the departmentalized classes in high school. A strong program at this level for our children is abso lutely critical to their success in the later stages of their educa tional experience in our school system. o The middle school concept is based on teams of teachers who share a group of about 100 students and teach them core curriculum subjects like language arts, math, science, and social studies. In this type of setting students can get more individualized attention. That is extremely important to a child who may Tioufor whatever the reason) be getting that kind of attention at home. The team teaching concept also allows for flexible class time^Na bells endLclasses. and teachers on the team meet daily to determine the length of each of their class^during~tRe^ school day. If a teacher on the team needs more time for a par ticular class, then the other teachers adjust their schedules. There are several other features of the middle school con cept that make it extremely attractive if ^one^pfoperly. The problem has been that for the most part the concept has not worked well except in one school, Mineral Springs. The school system's request for additional funding can make the concept work in all of our middle schools. Government, business, education and community leaders all agree that the key to our community's continued economic growth is a well-educated and motivated workforce. This does not happen overnight. The steps being taken now in our schools will help produce that workforce which in turn will help attract those industries to employ that workforce. So, commissioners, when you weigh the county's needs against the wish list, remember that what our school system is asking for is not a wish, it is a must. If the weakest link in our school system's program is in the middle schools, then make them stronger by approving the school system's funding request. We can pay now to improve our schools or suffer the cost ly consequences later. About letters, columns... The Chronicle welcomes letters from its readers, as well as columns. Letters should be as concise as possible and typed or printed legibly. They also should include the name, address and telephone number of the writer. Columns should follow the same guidelines and will be published if we feel they are of interest to our general readership. We reserve the right to edit letters and columns for brevity and grammar. Submit your letters and columns to Chronicle Mailbag, P.O. Box 3154, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27102. Anger is rekindled by article on contractors To The Editor: My anger was rekindled after reading several articles in the Chronicle in reference to general contractors. My experience was with S.A. Price Construction Co. Mostly my upset related to the state uml divisions When Price failed to make repairs, the Winston-Salem Inspec tions Division was contacted. The Inspections Division disclosed that Price never obtained permits, elec trical or construction, and the divi sion would be unable to inspect the work until permits were obtained. Acknowledging the oversight, Price paid his minimal fine and received the permits. However, the permits did not reflect all the electrical or construction work done by Price. Based on the contracted work that was inspected, Price failed tl? permit wnrk ghftg.t If was at this time that Price denied having done the work. Then disregarding the contract, detailing all work done, the Inspections Division did nothing to this unlicensed contractor, indi cating that it was his word against mine. t Taking the situation to the N.C. Department of Inspections proved an additional waste of time. After five months, one person inspected the work, reviewed the contract and the "falsified permits," contacted the local Inspections Division ... and did nothing to get Price to make all the repairs. A great deal of time was wasted dealing with state and local inspec tions divisions that in fact have no authority to force a contractor to uphold a contractual agreement. In addition, the state division refused to send a copy of the report. The report had tp be subpoenaed. Just who is being protected? Is the judi cial system the only recourse? Serious questions must be raised as to the function of both state and local inspections divisions when unlicensed contractors are given free rein to do substandard ed by these agencies. ? A consumer gains no satisfac tion when state and local inspec tions divisions, established to regu late and enforce standards, merely qualify inferiority. There is a great number of inspectors whose func tion is seemingly only to confirm inadequacies and to collect payment for permits (by T)oth licensed and unlicensed contractors). Beverly F. Williams Winston-Salem Sports in middle school To The Editor: ^ According to the National Fed eration of State High School Asso ciations, class rank, GPAs and test scores only begin to predict future success for our students. Our athlet ic programs are also influential in that they enhance students' self esteem and self-discipline, as well as Jielp to reduce the dropout rate. As a coach, I see the positive aspects of athletics on young people every day. Their self-confidence rises and their grades improve as a result. I see kids who would be in the streets if they were not a part of our athletic program. Students gain valuable experience from teamwork and learn the importance of com mitment. CHRONICLE MAI LB AO Our Readers Speak Out jects' residents are the source of all the problems. W6 are aware, now ever, that there are problems in pub lic housing with a few residents. There are many worthwhile programs offered during the week in each of the communities, includ ing Step One, GED classes, learn ing centers, Boy Scouts, LER pro gram, career training and 4-H Clubs. There are also talent shows and programs to recognize out standing students. Much mote needs to be done, however, and we on the authority are searching for ways in which to network better with the strong support system that is already in place, which includes the Winston-Salem Police Depart ment, the Housing Authority staff and many community agencies. We welcome new ideas and invite you to present tnem to us at any of our open meetings. Clark S. Brown, Chairman Dr. David H. Burr, Vice Chairman Naomi Jones, Commissioner William H. Andrews, Commissioner Phoebe Satterwhite, Commissioner In appreciation To The Editor: I would like to thank everyone who voted for me in the May 8 pri mary for County Commissioner. If elected in November, I will work hard for all the people in Forsyth County. I would also like for the people who could not be at the last Com missioners' meeting May 14 to know that the County Commissions ers agreed to pay two lawyers $30,709 for their part in drawing up the 1990 Bond Referendum. Mv question is, What does the County Attorney get paid for? Does he get paid to hire other attorneys to do his job? There are people here who need food to eat, homes to live in,*health care and clothes to wear. This $30,709 could have helped a lot of poor people. If the County Attorney can't do his job, then he shoutd^be laid off. Stop putting the poor work ing man out of work. Second, the County Commis sioners agreed to sign a contract with a large realty company in Win ston-Salem to find land for the Triad Park. Again, what do the Commissioners and planning staff do? This is very unfair to other real tors and a waste of the taxpayers' I consider it a privilege to be a part of a program where positive values are still taught. The kids ben efit the most and the success ^ate^s high. It is because of this that these questions come to my mind. How many more young lives could we influence if inter-school athletics were available at the mid die-school level? How many kids would spend less time in the street ancLmore time on the athletic field? Is the athletic court an alternative to criminal court? Can we reduce the dropout rate even more by allowing sixth- to eighth-graders a chance to compete for their school? I think that it is time to reinstate middle-school athletic programs. One voice, however, cannot sound loud enough. The voices of all tax payers need to be heard. Please help me spread the word. - Mike Muse Head Football Coach Assistant Basketball Coach RJ. Reynolds High School Reviewing the facts To The Editor: Winston-Salem has served to raise the consciousness of all who live and work in this city. As commis sioners of the Winston-Salem Hous ing Authority, wf belreve^tharit may be helpful at this time to review some of the facts pertaining to our public housing communities or "housing projects." The Public Housing-Authority is created under a contract between_ the city and the federal government (ACC Contract) which requires the city to appoint a Board of Commis sioners which administers the pub lic housing project in the local com munity. There are numerous federal and state policies ^hich may be_ used by the authority in leasing to and evicting residents. These poli cies arc extensive, often complicat ed, yet appear to be fair and neces sary to the operation of the pro gram. The large majority of residents are law-abiding and decent citizens of this community. Many of the res idents are single heads of house holds and many are elderly, all _ wanting and working toward a good life for their families. The violence which occurred May 12 was indeed a great tragedy to all our citizens and particularly to those families directly involved. It is a fact, however, that none of the victims nor those arrested were resi dents of public housing. It is dis couraging to our residents that there is an impression in some of the communities that the housing pro money. Ifthe taxpayers would flg lire Uiat 30 peicent of their taxes are wasted, then I would say that we need a change in the county govern ment The back scratching needs to stop so the working people can live again. Jim Hatcher Winston-Salem Thanks for support ) To The Editor: I would like to thank the people of Forsyth County for supjtorting me in the May 8 primary election. The support you gave me shows your concern and your faitfi in me as an individual. I will continue to do all I can to make our public school system in Forsyth County even better. For the past 30 years I have worked and taught in the North Carolina Public School Sys tem. I understand the educational needs of youth. My six children have gone through the public school system. I am committed to our public school system in Forsyth County and the state of North Carolina. As I work with the board of education, I want parents, teachers and students to talk with the princi pals and board throughout the year. Come to PTA meetings, continue to show interest and concern in our children's development. I look for your support in the November general election. Beaufort O. Bailey Member, W-S/FC Board of Education Thanks for votes To The Editor: I would like to thank the com munity for its support of my sue-, cessful campaign in the recent Forsyth County Commissioner race for District A. As 1 said during my campaign, I promise to listen to and seek the advice and counsel of my con stituents. I clearly expect you to hold~me~ accountable as your commissioner from District A. Again, I thank you for your sup port. Earline W. Parmon Winston-Salem Please see page A5 Mayor Marion Barry wants gutter justice in I Mayor Marion Barry of Wash- will note vole as a juror to convict ington in a bizarre move is demand- him.M ing that the prosecution be put on Mr. Barry is not the first politi tria! because he smoked crack cian to place himself above the Taw cocaine. (Richard Nixon tried), but ne nas to In an apparent pre-trial attempt be the most brazen in his desperate to manipulate the black population attempt to stay out of jail and con of D.C., Mr. Barry boasted: "I think vince the gullible that he should be the prosecutors know that in this re-elected the mayor who leads the town, all it takes is one juror saying, city's fight against drugs. 'I'm not going to convict Marion In effect, Mr. Barry has put the Barry. I don't care what you say." intelligence of black people on trial. Mr. Barry's logic can also lead "They had me ingest cocaine, one to say: "Without a system based crack cocaine, which could have on jusuce, all"of us are in constant killed me... I could have been dead jeopardy of being assaulted, mur- now, with 70, 80, 90 percent pure dered, burglarized or raped. But if cocaine," the mayor of DC Marion Barry commits any of these explained. acts, no matter how much factual "They had me ingest cocaine." evidence the prosecution presents, I What docs he mean? *1 know what Flip Wilson's Geraldine meant And what about the potency? when he/she said, "The devil made Is the admitted crack-user saying a me do it" Is that what the indicted 30, 40 or 50 percent cocaine level mayor means when he savs ^thev* could have been acceptable TONY BROWN Syndicated Cot-mnisL made him smoke crack? because, in his erroneous logic, it "They," all of us big girls and would not have been life threaten boys know, is a euphemism for white ing? people -- our personal and collective He plays Russian roulette with devil, without whom there would be his life and offers bad advice to oth good houses, high incomes and happy ers when caught. Crack cocaine families, it is suggested. kills you hy controlling your brain lis trial for crack use which tells your heart to stop beat- cocaine with them before, that's not ing and it addicts you the first time damaging," said the man who told you try it. more than one grand jury that he Therefore, if Mr. Barry's admit- had never used drugs. IVAl VlUvi. VtUu llv/V lUtft, HV O jyiuj llijj UIW tuw Um he probably was already a drug Ernest White, host of WDCU-FM's addict on Jan. 18 when he was "Crosstalk" calls it, to get a run caught and recorded on videotape away jury that will refuse to convict with cocaine smoke up his nose. a guilty mayor. To reinforce the indictments Mr. Barry is a tragic figure, ^rHr^'^^^arryxr^agecf rn a "attempting to establish a system of conspiracy to use drugs from 1984 gutter justice and blame racism for to 1990, some 19 alleged co-con- his betrayal of his own people, spirators are ready to testify against him. Tony Brown is a syndicated "What's the worst they can say, columnist and television host, that I used cocaine with them?" Mr. whose program, "Tony Brown's Barry responded. "Most Washing- Journal," appears at 1:30 p.m. tomans" think that he did, he on Sunday, on channels 4 and believes. "So if they testify I'd used 26.
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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June 7, 1990, edition 1
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