News Topic - NAACP
Articles 71 - 80 of most recent articles
Civil rights activists defend Arlington superintendent, plan rally today
By SHIRLEY JINKINS ARLINGTON — Some civil rights activists and church leaders defended Arlington school district Superintendent Hector Montenegro on Wednesday, urging school board members to not act hastily when they meet tonight to discuss Montenegro’s status. A group led by Kyev Tatum, a past chapter president of the NAACP; Hector Flores, immediate past national president of LULAC; and Arlington pastor Dwight McKissic plan to lead a rally at noon at the district administration building and hold a news conference to air their concerns."For the Arlington school board to throw a cloud of suspicion over a man who has not even been on the job a year, and he happens to be the first Hispanic superintendent in AISD history, we just find it to be very suspicious," said Tatum, senior pastor of Friendship Rock Baptist Church in Fort Worth.Montenegro said Wednesday that he was not familiar with Tatum’s plans and that he had no affiliation with the group. Tatum has served as president of the Texas Hill Country Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.The school board is expected to deliberate tonight in open session about whether to put Montenegro on paid administrative leave while it investigates whether he broke a state law prohibiting him from taking outside honorariums. Trustees may also name an interim superintendent.Flores, who was national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens from 2002 to 2006, said that if trustees put Montenegro on leave before the conclusion of any investigation, it will permanently affect the community’s perception of him and his ability to do his job. "This hurts his image, period," said Flores, who worked with Montenegro in administration when the two were in the Dallas school district. "People are going to believe he’s guilty before he’s been proven innocent."But others agree with the board’s actions."We understand what the board is doing and why. We have a lot of confidence in the board," said Larry Shaw, executive director of the United Educators Association. Trustee Bowie Hogg said he approves of the rally."I think it’s really good to see both sides," he said. "A lot of people believe in what Mr. Montenegro is doing in the schools, they support him and they want an answer as much as anyone else."Election concernsTrustees have discussed the possibility of asking voters as soon as November to allow a higher tax rate to help cover a $20 million shortfall in next year’s proposed budget. Some groups are concerned that Montenegro’s situation could derail the election, but others say it’s too early to know."We’re not privy to all the information, and I think once the superintendent situation is resolved, then we as a committee will have more information and better information, and we’ll have a better feel for what public opinion is," said Linda Wylie, a member of the district’s volunteer Financial Futures Committee and a representative of the Association of Texas Professional Educators.Problem not widespreadArlington may be the first district in Texas to deal with a superintendent taking honorariums since a law was passed in 2007 that basically bans the practice.A handful of districts have asked lawyers from the Texas Association of School Boards for clarification of the law, but not in response to any specific concern, said Joy Baskin, the association’s director of legal services. The group, which helps school boards across the state, said it has not communicated with Arlington district officials. "The law seems to be fairly clear," Baskin said. "Folks that need to know about it are familiar with it. If it has been an issue, a superintendent might have consulted with their own attorney rather than their district’s, but we’re not aware of any big conflict elsewhere."Baskin said superintendents working with outside entities can help develop tools or programs that benefit education."If you want to create a software package that is marketed to school districts, it makes sense to ask those in schools what they want in those programs," she said. "Groups can learn a lot from the expertise of educators, but everyone needs to make sure this is done in a way that is aboveboard. That’s why we have this law."
Star-Telegram.com – Jul 17, 2008 05:16 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Local: Texas: Dallas-Fort Worth
By SHIRLEY JINKINS ARLINGTON — Some civil rights activists and church leaders defended Arlington school district Superintendent Hector Montenegro on Wednesday, urging school board members to not act hastily when they meet tonight to discuss Montenegro’s status. A group led by Kyev Tatum, a past chapter president of the NAACP; Hector Flores, immediate past national president of LULAC; and Arlington pastor Dwight McKissic plan to lead a rally at noon at the district administration building and hold a news conference to air their concerns."For the Arlington school board to throw a cloud of suspicion over a man who has not even been on the job a year, and he happens to be the first Hispanic superintendent in AISD history, we just find it to be very suspicious," said Tatum, senior pastor of Friendship Rock Baptist Church in Fort Worth.Montenegro said Wednesday that he was not familiar with Tatum’s plans and that he had no affiliation with the group. Tatum has served as president of the Texas Hill Country Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.The school board is expected to deliberate tonight in open session about whether to put Montenegro on paid administrative leave while it investigates whether he broke a state law prohibiting him from taking outside honorariums. Trustees may also name an interim superintendent.Flores, who was national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens from 2002 to 2006, said that if trustees put Montenegro on leave before the conclusion of any investigation, it will permanently affect the community’s perception of him and his ability to do his job. "This hurts his image, period," said Flores, who worked with Montenegro in administration when the two were in the Dallas school district. "People are going to believe he’s guilty before he’s been proven innocent."But others agree with the board’s actions."We understand what the board is doing and why. We have a lot of confidence in the board," said Larry Shaw, executive director of the United Educators Association. Trustee Bowie Hogg said he approves of the rally."I think it’s really good to see both sides," he said. "A lot of people believe in what Mr. Montenegro is doing in the schools, they support him and they want an answer as much as anyone else."Election concernsTrustees have discussed the possibility of asking voters as soon as November to allow a higher tax rate to help cover a $20 million shortfall in next year’s proposed budget. Some groups are concerned that Montenegro’s situation could derail the election, but others say it’s too early to know."We’re not privy to all the information, and I think once the superintendent situation is resolved, then we as a committee will have more information and better information, and we’ll have a better feel for what public opinion is," said Linda Wylie, a member of the district’s volunteer Financial Futures Committee and a representative of the Association of Texas Professional Educators.Problem not widespreadArlington may be the first district in Texas to deal with a superintendent taking honorariums since a law was passed in 2007 that basically bans the practice.A handful of districts have asked lawyers from the Texas Association of School Boards for clarification of the law, but not in response to any specific concern, said Joy Baskin, the association’s director of legal services. The group, which helps school boards across the state, said it has not communicated with Arlington district officials. "The law seems to be fairly clear," Baskin said. "Folks that need to know about it are familiar with it. If it has been an issue, a superintendent might have consulted with their own attorney rather than their district’s, but we’re not aware of any big conflict elsewhere."Baskin said superintendents working with outside entities can help develop tools or programs that benefit education."If you want to create a software package that is marketed to school districts, it makes sense to ask those in schools what they want in those programs," she said. "Groups can learn a lot from the expertise of educators, but everyone needs to make sure this is done in a way that is aboveboard. That’s why we have this law."
Star-Telegram.com – Jul 17, 2008 05:16 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Local: Texas: Dallas-Fort Worth
McCain pledges more education options at NAACP
CINCINNATI - John McCain told the NAACP and some skeptical black voters Wednesday that he will expand education opportunities, partly through vouchers for low-income children to attend private school.
Zanesville Times Recorder – Jul 17, 2008 05:00 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Local: Ohio: Zanesville
CINCINNATI - John McCain told the NAACP and some skeptical black voters Wednesday that he will expand education opportunities, partly through vouchers for low-income children to attend private school.
Zanesville Times Recorder – Jul 17, 2008 05:00 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Local: Ohio: Zanesville
NAACP Recognizes Local Gay ActivistsTheir mission is the same, but gay rights activists said the NAACP has not always been supportive of their efforts.
WLWT.com – Jul 17, 2008 04:28 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Local: Ohio: Cincinnati
Lil X Targets Stereotypes At NAACP Convention
Hip hop music video director "Lil X" spoke about influence of stereotypes on youth.
WCPO.com – Jul 17, 2008 04:00 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Local: Ohio: Cincinnati
Hip hop music video director "Lil X" spoke about influence of stereotypes on youth.
WCPO.com – Jul 17, 2008 04:00 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Local: Ohio: Cincinnati
Battle rages over Confederate icon
COLUMBIA — The Sons of Confederate Veterans say there are no concrete plans in South Carolina to fight the NAACP's renewed call for the Confederate battle flag to come off Statehouse grounds, but at least one group member gave his opinion on what needs to happen. Division Lt. Command...
Charleston.net – Jul 17, 2008 04:00 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Local: South Carolina: Charleston
COLUMBIA — The Sons of Confederate Veterans say there are no concrete plans in South Carolina to fight the NAACP's renewed call for the Confederate battle flag to come off Statehouse grounds, but at least one group member gave his opinion on what needs to happen. Division Lt. Command...
Charleston.net – Jul 17, 2008 04:00 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Local: South Carolina: Charleston
McCain shows support for school vouchers
CINCINNATI — John McCain won plaudits if not support Wednesday for addressing some of opponent Barack Obama's strongest supporters: the NAACP.
The Tennessean – Jul 17, 2008 04:00 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Local: Tennessee: Nashville
CINCINNATI — John McCain won plaudits if not support Wednesday for addressing some of opponent Barack Obama's strongest supporters: the NAACP.
The Tennessean – Jul 17, 2008 04:00 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Local: Tennessee: Nashville
McCain supports vouchers
Republican asks NAACP to help improve schools Republican asks NAACP to help improve schools
Baltimore Sun – Jul 17, 2008 04:00 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Local: Maryland: Baltimore
Republican asks NAACP to help improve schools Republican asks NAACP to help improve schools
Baltimore Sun – Jul 17, 2008 04:00 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Local: Maryland: Baltimore
McCain talks education with the NAACP
CINCINNATI - John McCain told the NAACP and some skeptical black voters yesterday that he will expand education opportunities, partly through vouchers for low-income children to attend private school.
Newsday.com – Jul 17, 2008 04:00 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in U.S. News
CINCINNATI - John McCain told the NAACP and some skeptical black voters yesterday that he will expand education opportunities, partly through vouchers for low-income children to attend private school.
Newsday.com – Jul 17, 2008 04:00 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in U.S. News
Local civil rights organizer transitions
Probably not intentionally, but Dorothy Alice Williams made a name for herself as a Pied Piper of sorts as she led the youth, young adult and University of Pittsburgh chapters of the Pittsburgh Branch of the NAACP.
New Pittsburgh Courier Online – Jul 17, 2008 04:00 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Local: Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh
Probably not intentionally, but Dorothy Alice Williams made a name for herself as a Pied Piper of sorts as she led the youth, young adult and University of Pittsburgh chapters of the Pittsburgh Branch of the NAACP.
New Pittsburgh Courier Online – Jul 17, 2008 04:00 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Local: Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh
Confederate group won’t put up flags
A day after a Sons of Confederate Veterans officer said the group would raise Confederate flags throughout Columbia in response to the NAACP, the SCV’s state chapter leader dismissed the idea.Randy Burbage said his group has made no specific plans to respond to the NAACP’s new push to remove the flag from the State House grounds.Burbage said another member of the group was giving his personal opinion Wednesday when he said the group was considering putting up large flagpoles with flags along South Carolina interstates.• Bi-Lo program will aid Harvest Hope Bi-Lo Charities’ Hunger Relief program started Wednesday and will continue through August 5, a company news release said.
The State – Jul 17, 2008 02:45 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Local: South Carolina: Columbia
A day after a Sons of Confederate Veterans officer said the group would raise Confederate flags throughout Columbia in response to the NAACP, the SCV’s state chapter leader dismissed the idea.Randy Burbage said his group has made no specific plans to respond to the NAACP’s new push to remove the flag from the State House grounds.Burbage said another member of the group was giving his personal opinion Wednesday when he said the group was considering putting up large flagpoles with flags along South Carolina interstates.• Bi-Lo program will aid Harvest Hope Bi-Lo Charities’ Hunger Relief program started Wednesday and will continue through August 5, a company news release said.
The State – Jul 17, 2008 02:45 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Local: South Carolina: Columbia