Letters to the Editor of the press

The themes of these letters should resonate with our leaders, that what we want and need is a better education for our kids.



Better education

In the Sept. 18 Press article "Like us or leave us, GR board tells parents," school board member Arnie Smithalexander is quoted as saying "It's just blatant racism," referring to parents who want to send their children to suburban schools for a better education.

"They don't want to send their kids to our schools because of the way our kids look," she said. "And if they want to send their kids to Kentwood, Grandville or Hudsonville, then fine. They should move there."

For her statement to be true we need to make some broad assumptions about Grand Rapids. We have to assume that Grand Rapids Public Schools offer a quality education. We have to assume that the only people seeking to send their children to suburban schools are white. We have to assume that there are no minority parents seeking a better education for their children. And we have to assume that the only people pursuing a better education for their children have the financial means to pay for private school or to just "move there."

While the children of Grand Rapids arguably continue to receive a substandard education, a school board member is trying to cloud the issue with the race card. This is the trump card played when there is no argument in support of your position. Instead of spending time finding ways to slander parents seeking a good education for their children, Ms. Smithalexander should be working on fixing what's broke.

-- SCOTT SULT/Grand Rapids

Hiding behind racism

I was completely disgusted to read Grand Rapids Board of Education member Arnie Smithalexander's assessment of why parents want their kids to attend suburban schools as " 'It's just blatant racism. . .' Minority students make up about 75 percent of the city school district. 'They don't want to send their kids to our schools because of the way our kids look' " ("Like us or leave us, GR board tells parents," Press. Sept. 18).

Choosing to hide behind the curtain of racism has seemingly blinded her from the fact that her board is at the helm of a sinking ship. Students assaulting their principal, a gun discharged at a school and fires set in wastebaskets, lead me to believe she is selling an inferior product.

That is the reason families are leaving her district, not racism. The schools are failing to keep students safe. Race and skin color have nothing to do with that.

-- DAN PETERMAN

Georgetown Township


A better education

If you want to move your child out of the Grand Rapids Public Schools, you are a racist. At least that's what one school board member says ("Like us or leave us, GR board tells parents," Press, Sept. 18). "It's blatant racism," said board member Arnie Smithalexander. "They don't want to send their kids to our schools because of the way our kids look."

Did parents actually tell her that? Did someone send her a letter to that fact? I doubt it.

Why do some people have no problem attaching racism to just about anything they can't explain? Is it possible parents are leaving the GR schools for the suburbs and charter schools because they feel they'll get a better education for their kids? Or maybe they are tired of their hard-earned and taxed money being spent more on teacher salaries and pensions instead of on the kids in the classroom where it belongs. Remember: You can fool some of the people some of the time.

-- MIKE DAVIS/Wyoming


The best education

This is in response to the Sept. 18 Press article "Like us or leave us, GR board tells parents." I am a Grand Rapids resident, and I take offense with Board of Education member Arnie Smitalexander's comment that requests to be released from Grand Rapids Public Schools are racially motivated.

I attended the meeting with Dr. Bernard Taylor and his cabinet on Sept. 11, reported in The Press ('I'm being used as a scapegoat'), and though race was mentioned, it was not the reason any of us want to leave GRPS.

It is solely based on the schools failing our children -- all children.

As a parent, I won't accept an education that is poor or moderate. I want excellence out of our schools, regardless of color or economic status. Yes, we have some choices, though choice can be limited based on ability to move and economic conditions.

I don't want to leave Grand Rapids, I love my town and look forward to raising my kids here. Improve the schools and I'll come back. Otherwise, release those who want to leave and get to work making GRPS something we want to come back to.

-- PATRICIA A. DAGLE

Grand Rapids