A special call meeting will take place on September 20, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. with board member Mr. Willie Burton. The meeting will take place at the BTW Heritage & Academic Center located at 2100 Milam. The J.S. Clark feeder situation is expected to be discussed.
Update: Mr Burton did meet with the members as scheduled. He provided his perspective on the recent board action and assured the members he is working to enhance BTW. We appreciate Mr. Burton's time and willingness to discuss this issue. However, the general view of the members is unchanged from our previous post. We will of course continue to work with all concerned to provide for our students and to protect the legacy of this proud historically black high school.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Foundation Meeting
The foundation will meet on Monday, September 10, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. Meetings are held at 2100 Milam St., at the BTW Heritage and Academic Center (old library).
Look forward to seeing you there.
Look forward to seeing you there.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Feeder School Expectations Not Met by Recent Board Action
A Times story called Growing pains that ran on February 21, 2006 says "Superintendent Ollie Tyler estimated the purposed changes (redrawing district lines, etc.) would mean 80 more students at the most for Booker T. Washington, based on the number of freshmen this year. About 30 students now in Byrd's zone and up to 50 students now in Fair Park's zone would be sent to the school."
Of course, the article was covering the proposed changes in district lines. These proposed changes were a direct result of Mr. Willie Burton asking the superintendent to develop ways of increasing enrollment at BTW.
The article goes on to state that "In the long run, Tyler said the key to a larger student population is coupling the changes in zoning with aggressive marketing of Booker T. Washington's unique programs, especially telecommunications. She points out that it's the only one of its kind in the parish and that several participants have gone straight to work at local TV stations."
A Times article on August 22, 2007 states that "The declaration of the feeder school, which won't go into effect until next year, could bring about 50 students to the Shreveport high school each year."(Without redrawing district lines)
The final position of the foundation is that the recent board action declaring J.S. Clark a feeder to BTW (without redrawing of district lines or other modifications of board attendance zone policy) will not offer a significant benefit to BTW in the long run.
This issue should therefore remain on the front burner for all friends of BTW.
Of course, the article was covering the proposed changes in district lines. These proposed changes were a direct result of Mr. Willie Burton asking the superintendent to develop ways of increasing enrollment at BTW.
The article goes on to state that "In the long run, Tyler said the key to a larger student population is coupling the changes in zoning with aggressive marketing of Booker T. Washington's unique programs, especially telecommunications. She points out that it's the only one of its kind in the parish and that several participants have gone straight to work at local TV stations."
A Times article on August 22, 2007 states that "The declaration of the feeder school, which won't go into effect until next year, could bring about 50 students to the Shreveport high school each year."(Without redrawing district lines)
The final position of the foundation is that the recent board action declaring J.S. Clark a feeder to BTW (without redrawing of district lines or other modifications of board attendance zone policy) will not offer a significant benefit to BTW in the long run.
This issue should therefore remain on the front burner for all friends of BTW.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Board agrees J.S. Clark to feed BTW(but what does that really mean)
During its August 21, 2007 meeting, the CPSB approved item number 21 on its agenda without debate. That item reads: "Feeder School for Booker T. Washington High School (Burton)."
On August 22, 2007, The Times reports this development as " J.S. Clark Middle to feed students to BTW, board decides." The problem is that this approval apparently comes without the requirement to redraw distrist lines or any other parameters.
That leads to the obvious conclusion that the approval was little more than an empty gesture. Board member Willie Burton is quoted in The Times article as saying "Redrawing the district lines wouldn't have changed a whole lot, and it wouldn't be relevant because students can choose where they want to go."
This of course is 180 degrees from item 17 that was on the boards agenda for Febuary 21, 2006. That item read: "Feeder Pattern proposal for Booker T. Washington High School (Burton/Robinson 603-5474).
It came with a recommendation of then superintendent, Ollie S. Tyler. The recommendation was designed to "...establish a main feeder pattern by realigning J.S.Clark Middle School to feed Booker T. Washington High. Attached are maps depicting the recommended changes to the BTW attendance zone.
Listed below are the proposed changes designed to address the declining enrollment.
1.Realign Booker T. Washington's southern most boundary.........
2.Realign Booker T Washington's eastern boundary................
3.Cap the enrollment at C.E.Byrd High School to 1,950 students from outside the attendance zone. The Magnet Program enrollment will not be affected."
Of course, item 17 was pulled from the agenda by Mr. Burton in order to allow the community to fully understand how the proposed changes affected them.
The foundation is now seeking further information and clarification on this development before issuing a final assessment. However, on a prelimanary basis, we have serious reservations about how this latest move by the board will truly benefit BTW.
Stay tuned..
On August 22, 2007, The Times reports this development as " J.S. Clark Middle to feed students to BTW, board decides." The problem is that this approval apparently comes without the requirement to redraw distrist lines or any other parameters.
That leads to the obvious conclusion that the approval was little more than an empty gesture. Board member Willie Burton is quoted in The Times article as saying "Redrawing the district lines wouldn't have changed a whole lot, and it wouldn't be relevant because students can choose where they want to go."
This of course is 180 degrees from item 17 that was on the boards agenda for Febuary 21, 2006. That item read: "Feeder Pattern proposal for Booker T. Washington High School (Burton/Robinson 603-5474).
It came with a recommendation of then superintendent, Ollie S. Tyler. The recommendation was designed to "...establish a main feeder pattern by realigning J.S.Clark Middle School to feed Booker T. Washington High. Attached are maps depicting the recommended changes to the BTW attendance zone.
Listed below are the proposed changes designed to address the declining enrollment.
1.Realign Booker T. Washington's southern most boundary.........
2.Realign Booker T Washington's eastern boundary................
3.Cap the enrollment at C.E.Byrd High School to 1,950 students from outside the attendance zone. The Magnet Program enrollment will not be affected."
Of course, item 17 was pulled from the agenda by Mr. Burton in order to allow the community to fully understand how the proposed changes affected them.
The foundation is now seeking further information and clarification on this development before issuing a final assessment. However, on a prelimanary basis, we have serious reservations about how this latest move by the board will truly benefit BTW.
Stay tuned..
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