All are welcome at a meeting of the Diversity and Outreach Committee on Wed., Oct. 22 at 4:30pm at Drummond School.
Here’s the agenda:
Agenda
Update on previous action items
Develop plan to meet work scope objectives
Consent decree resolution (below)
RESOLUTION TO PRESERVE THE DESEGRATION CONSENT DECREE
FOR CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
(Drafted by: Sumi Cho & Vivian Barrett, October 19, 2008)
Whereas, Drummond Montessori Magnet Elementary has a Montessori magnet program that began in 2005 in which approximately 2/3 its current students are enrolled; and
Whereas, Chicago Public Schools’ magnet programs were created to, among other objectives, enhance racial diversity and to redress racial segregation; and
Whereas, Drummond Montessori Magnet Elementary benefits socially and academically from a racially, economically, and culturally diverse student population; and
Whereas, the Drummond Montessori Magnet Elementary LSC sees the preservation of the school’s racial, economic, and cultural diversity as fundamental to a well-rounded, academically-excellent educational experience; and
Whereas, Drummond Montessori Magnet Elementary is currently out of compliance with the 2006 Second Amended Consent Decree’s racial goals as of the 2008-09 school year, as less than 60% of the magnet students enrolled are racial minorities, whereby the decree provides for a 65-85% student of color population;
Whereas, Drummond’s Montessori Magnet Elementary program risks losing substantially more of its students of color if the Consent Decree is ended; and
Whereas, Drummond’s significant English Language Learning student population risks losing key services and programs if the Consent Decree is ended;
Therefore, be it resolved, that the Drummond Montessori Magnet Elementary School Local School Council (LSC) strongly urges Hon. Judge Charles P. Kocoras to preserve the desegregation Consent Decree in Chicago Public Schools.
Be it Further Resolved, that the Drummond Montessori Magnet Elementary School LSC send a copy of this resolution within 2 weeks of the date of its passage to the following persons/offices:
Judge Charles P. Kocoras
Chicago Public Schools Superintendent Arne Duncan
Chicago Board of Education President Rufus Williams
Chicago Board of Education members
Chicago Public Schools Office of Academic Enhancement
Chicago Public Schools Law Department
Chicago Magnet School LSC Chairs
Adjourn
