Lack of Leadership is Hijacking Howard County, Maryland’s Greatest Treasure: Our Peace and Unity
Howard County Families for Education Improvement (FEI) has
grave concerns about the lack of leadership, inclusiveness and transparency
displayed by Howard County government officials during the current school
redistricting process. We hope that the Howard County Board of Education
members, however they ultimately decide, do a much better job of independently
and objectively evaluating the facts while giving our members’ testimony and
their guiding Policy 6010 adequate consideration.
FEI has dedicated considerable time and effort to researching and putting forth
objective, expert, and credible analysis of the research which proves that
redistricting specifically to address achievement gaps is an inconclusive
strategy and may actually harm students, rather than help them. At the hearing
on County Resolution 112, nearly a hundred residents testified in opposition to
CR 112. A handful testified in support – but unlike FEI members, they did not
provide independent research or evidence to prove their point. Not one of those
supporters purported to represent the populations intended to benefit from the
proposal. Our local leaders must get it right for our County’s young people,
the first time.
Alarmingly, Councilmembers cited concerns about how they would ever find the
time to listen to all those desiring to speak. Councilmember Mercer Rigby
irresponsibly commanded the public to go online and read testimony submitted– racist,
contentious testimony bearing no relationship whatsoever to the policy
arguments being legitimately put forward in opposition. In advising the public to read this
testimony, the Councilmember herself admitted it was sent using fake names and
fake addresses. In fact, no one has been able to verify the identities of those
who submitted that information, nor where those writers live. Not one person
delivered any oral testimony of a racist nature. Yet, it is highly concerning
to see these faceless, racist, bigoted authors – who do not appear to actually
exist – gain public traction and potentially influence our community’s leaders.
This is incredibly sad, irresponsible, and divisive. What’s even worse – our children and the
nation are watching. This potentially
fake testimony is unfortunately tarnishing the national reputation of Howard
County – a community which has prided itself on its diversity, inclusion and
civility.
The research-based opposition to Superintendent Martirano’s proposal is in no
way racially motivated; in fact, the opposite. The opposition, including our
own FEI members, clearly cares deeply about ensuring all of our County’s
children, particularly our children in greatest need, have access to the very
best educational opportunities. We
believe that redistricting, however necessary to address overcrowding and
capacity issues (which we support), is not an evidence-based proven method for
addressing achievement gaps. A solution must be created that separately
addresses overcrowding and closing the achievement gap.
The lack of Howard County governmental transparency is intolerable and not what
our County, or country, is founded upon. Initially, Councilmember Deb Jung
responded to the hours of opposition testimony by submitting a reasonable,
compromised amendment calling for a task force to explore how best to address
achievement gaps – just like Montgomery County did, and Anne Arundel County is
doing now. FEI applauded this response. We believe that process is as important
as outcome. This issue is so important, and time is required to adequately
review research and develop long-term, sustainable policy that will ultimately
benefit our children for generations.
However, we were surprised and disappointed when the Council
convened on October 7 and announced that they had spent hours behind closed
doors working to essentially discard that reasonable amendment. The resulting
resolution passed by the Council ignored the many hours of substantive
testimony and reams of letters and emails delivered in its overwhelming
opposition. In fact, despite hearing powerful testimony about the hatred spewed
at Asian families as a result of this resolution, the Council actually voted to
amend the resolution to combine Asian and white residents.
Shockingly, Asian families are now completely discounted – literally. Howard
County must be better than this.
We urge others in leadership to push through the unfounded scare tactics being
used to create an environment of fearmongering and listen to the many voices of
our legitimate community members.
We must get this right…for each child, each day during their
educational experience. Our children are depending on us. Our children are looking to see how we as a
community stand up and demand better from our leaders. Howard County needs our leaders to
courageously reject divisive extremism and financial special interests. We need our leaders to intently listen to their
constituents and respect their engaged involvement. We need our leaders to bring us toward the
reasonable middle path where we rely on evidence over ideology. We need them to bring the unity back into
community.
Ultimately, we as a community demand this strong leadership and beg of our
school board to provide it where others have failed us.
Respectfully,
Families for Education Improvement, Inc.