Parents to pols: Save our schools
The Bay State’s Black and Latino Legislative Caucus is looking for ways to boost long-struggling public schools in predominantly minority communities after a Mattapan parents’ group called on legislators to prevent future school closings, officials say.
“The black caucus will look to come up with a solution,” state Rep. Russell Holmes told the Herald yesterday. “Each of us has different perspectives. Some members of the caucus believe in charter schools, some believe in providing more money to public schools ... We’re going to push for a lot more Chapter 70 money.”
Holmes’ comments came after The Haitian Parents Association and Mattapan United sent a joint letter to the caucus, arguing that residents in Mattapan, Dorchester and Roxbury have suffered disproportionately from past school closures.
“There is a racial inequity component in these school closings,” Lincoln Larmond, of Mattapan United, told the Herald yesterday. “We want Boston Public Schools to recognize this fact and invest more resources and look at how to bring real investment and leadership to fix these problems rather than moving kids around like pieces on a chess set.”
The neighborhood groups are also demanding the city reverse its decision to close Mattahunt Elementary and turn it into an early learning center.
In a statement last night, a BPS spokesman said officials are “working diligently to provide the best possible educational opportunities for students in Mattapan. The BPS Office of Engagement is working tirelessly with families of the Mattahunt to help students transition into quality schools of their choice.”