meeting
Andie Carlson
Meeting/April 7, 2006
As many as six council members from the Desegregation/Integration committee of Duluth Public School’s, simply do not show up to any meetings.
During the Desegregation/Integration meeting held this Wednesday, their absence was discussed among the members of the council.
The members who do not attend these weekly meetings do not show up because they are supposedly too busy with their personal lives.
Since three out of the six non-attendees happen to be Native American, this greatly affects the councils need for diversity.
The whole purpose of Duluth’s Public School’s Desegregation/Integration program is to maintain the compliance with Minnesota’s Rule 3535, which governs desegregation.
Diverse members of the committee are especially needed to represent desegregation in the community. Their attendance is crucial.
“The desegregation council has worked long and hard to insure that the District hires people of color for programs that are funded with desegregation dollars,� says Secretary Diana Stratioti. “Unfortunately it doesn’t always happen and they are disappointed.�
On Wednesday, the present members of the council discussed their fellow absent community members, and would like for them to still be a part of the council. They are planning to write them letters of encouragement to stay in the council.
If these members don’t respond to the letters and repeat their record of attendance, they will be replaced. Not kicked out, just replaced.
If replacements are necessary, they too will be Native American’s from the Native American community.