March 23, 2010

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Cincinnati NAACP

The Cincinnati NAACP membership will vote on Thursday, March 25, 2010 on whether to support or not support a school levy.  The entire school board, administration, and CFT leadership have been invited to the meeting.  The meeting will be held at 6:00 pm at Integrity Hall (2081 Seymour).  The general membership will have the opportunity to ask any of the guests questions about Cincinnati Public School Districts.  "This is an opportunity for our membership to give a grade to Cincinnati Public Schools on their performance,"  Christopher Smitherman, president of the Cincinnati NAACP says.

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A key issue on the table is the construction of Cincinnati Public Schools and the lack of African American contractors.  The Cincinnati NAACP leadership expects a high turn out of African American contractors who received 1% of contracts over the past five years.  The school board made a promise to the African American community five years ago and this will be the first opportunity for contractors to evaluate if 1% is satisfactory.  Also, members are concerned about the number of African American teachers teaching core subjects.  The education committee remains concerned about graduation rates for African Americans.  "The Cincinnati NAACP membership will be giving the full opportunity to ask questions.  It is important for members who have membership cards to bring them to this meeting," Smitherman says.