Heather Hays Gates

EAD-505

Benchmark - Building Trust in a Diverse Community

Part I

Case sixteen is about a community (Rose Place) whose elementary school (Smith-Jack-

son) is working to integrate students of various ethnicities within the school. The community is

made up of members of a white supremacy group or offspring of those white supremacy mem-

bers and they are not happy about the integration. Because of a decline in the projected number

of students who planned to attend Smith-Jackson the following year, there is a risk of losing

funding. A parent survey stated that 75% of students currently enrolled in the voluntary busing

program were not planning to attend Smith-Jackson the following year.

There are two issues to be resolved in this case. One is that of the continued racism atti-

tudes within the community. The other issue to be resolved is one that concerns the loss of stu-

dents attending Smith-Jackson the following school year. The stakeholders involved include the

community, the students, the staff, the principal, and the parents of students attending and poten-

tially attending Smith-Jackson Elementary.

In South Carolina, school desegregation did not begin until 1963 when the judge ruled in

Millicent Brown et.al. vs. Charleston County School Board District 20 to approve requests from

black students to be admitted to white schools. The federal government fully stopped desegrega-

tion by 1970.

Possible solutions related to the issues are to continue to desegregate the school no matter

what the community says; educate the community about racism and the laws that guide the

school system in the state; physically go out and recruit students to attend Smith-Jackson Ele-
mentary School; and hold another school board meeting in which the laws are addressed and put

a positive light of academic achievement on Smith-Jackson in order to draw in more interest. In

my opinion, I think the last option is the best option. The community clearly needs educated on

the laws regarding segregation and the treatment of others, even if they are different. The stu-

dents need that education as well. I definitely think putting a light on the positives of the elemen-

tary school will draw in more interest as long as the staff of the school is also on board. Having a

principal of a different ethnicity helps quite a bit to show how qualified someone outside of the

white race can be, as they are in the public eye.

First, I would put an article in the local newspaper regarding education of segregation

laws and the moral stance on this issue. I would do this immediately. Second, I would do any-

thing I could to put a spotlight on the elementary school in a positive way, highlighting aca-

demics and activities available for the students. Lastly, I would have a back to school bash,

where all students and parents could mix and mingle and get to know each other on a more per-

sonal level and to see that they are more alike than they think.

Potential consequences of the solution include the possibility of fights at the back to

school bash. I would have police officers there to protect that from happening. Another possible

consequence could be that my efforts to recruit more students to attend could backfire, causing

more of a loss.

Part II

The solution I chose includes effort from all parties. In an effort to change the minds of

those against integration, I would work hard to instill in them the moral obligation to include ev-

eryone. I chose this solution because I feel it is important for everyone to be on the same page as

much as possible and to work together to create an educational atmosphere for our students. In
this case, it seems as though the parents and the community are making it about themselves in-

stead of the good of the students. I firmly believe that it is important to support what is right and

to not back down because of some people who want to be bullies. This solution safeguards

democracy, equity, and diversity within the school and protects the school mission and vision by

pushing to include everyone. It helps to teach our children to accept everyone, no matter if they

are different. A good example is that of the handicap children who also attend the school. These

children are seen as the same as “regular” students, so why shouldn’t students of other races be

seen in the same way? This solution also demonstrates integrity and fairness by pushing for the

right thing, not just a solution popular in the community. Every student should have the right to a

free public education, and that includes those of every racial background. This solution provides

that.

Part III

Purpose statement: The purpose of this meeting is to educate the community about dealing with

differences in each other and getting along for the purpose of the educational process.

Meeting goals and objectives: 1. To educate the public on integration and the laws pertaining to

that. 2. To show inclusion of all races and ethnicities within the school setting.

Suggested speakers: 1. Mayor 2. An advocate for integration

Timeframe:

Welcome - School superintendent - 5 min

Speaker - Mayor - 10 min

Power Point Presentation regarding Integration Laws - Principal - 15 min

Speaker - Advocate - 10 min

Closing - Superintendent - 5 min

Reception - 30 min-1 hr

I decided to include the superintendent as the opener and closer because they are the face

of the school district and it is important to hear from them and see them being supportive. The

mayor should also speak because he is the one who suggested hiring the principal of Smith-Jack-

son, who is a minority. The power point presentation is important as a simple educational tool to

inform the community of what we are working with. The presentation will not be swayed, just

informational. The principal of the school should give that presentation because they are the face

of that particular school. There should be an advocate for integration to speak since that is the

goal of what we are trying to do. We are trying to create an environment of free public education

for ALL students. Lastly, I believe the reception is important because it gives families a chance

to mingle with and learn about each other on a level other than the color of their skin. All poten-

tial parents of Smith-Jackson should be invited to the meeting in order to accomplish this. This is

the part of the meeting where families and caregivers can build positive relationships with each

other.

https://ldhi.library.cofc.edu/exhibits/show/somebody_had_to_do_it/project_overview

https://www.nps.gov/articles/separate-but-equal-south-carolina-s-fight-over-school-segregation-

teaching-with-historic-places.htm