Managing Editor Naomi Hendershot writes a letter to the future Superintendent of the Clarke County School District. Hendershot hopes the future CCSD leader will make a difference in major issues facing the student population. Illustration by Lilli Sams
Managing Editor Naomi Hendershot writes a letter to the future Superintendent, sharing her hopes, fears and concerns about the future of the Clarke County School District.
Dear future Superintendent of the Clarke County School District,
I’ve been a student in this district for 13 years, from pre-k to 11th grade. In those 13 years, I’ve gone through the motions of the system, witnessing its beauties and flaws along the way which impacted certain students more than others. Recently, I’ve witnessed the disorder of the system I thought I knew so well.
Although this district and its community have certain qualities I’d never change, there are things I wish to fix or improve. For the past couple of months, I’ve been able to speak with community members whose perspectives have brought systemic issues regarding the racial achievement gap to light.
In consideration of recent events, racial issues have been brought to the center of our attention as a community. We are now in a position to come together to discuss and fix these issues. We must not forget these achievement problems when you come into your term.
Of course, growing up in a community like Clarke County and attending the schools that I did, I quickly came to realize that the system is not structured in favor of the majority of my peers. I became aware of the persistent privilege of my White skin despite being in a place where I was statistically a minority.
“I became aware of the persistent privilege of my White skin despite being in a place where I was statistically a minority.”
Wouldn’t you say it’s a problem when the students that are underachieving by 70%, according to the research document “Achievement gap in CCSD: Transforming from Apathy to Perseverance”, in the CCSD make up a majority of the student population?
Moving forward, my hope for this district is that the long-time issue revolving around the racial achievement gap will be acknowledged by the Athens community as a whole and made a priority of the Board of Education in the coming years. My hope is you work with and listen to those that are in the classroom every day: teachers, students and staff alike.
They know first-hand the struggles and problems that face our community better than anyone else. They live through it every day.
Many of our issues are not overnight fixes — I’m not naive about that. But, let’s be honest here, you hold an influential position of power in our district. You hold the ability to make change where others can’t.
“You hold an influential position of power in our district. You hold the ability to make change where others can’t.”
Teachers in this district for a long time have been aware of the racial achievement issues and have worked with what power they have to not let it affect their Black students.
Nevertheless, it’s time for a change in course. We need to address things head-on. When looking for a future leader, we need someone who won’t beat around the bush and who will be honest and real about the issues that are staring us right in the face.
Do not consume yourself with continuous politics and misguided educational leadership. Keep your head above the water, and do not let yourself drown in the political game. Instead, strive to dismantle it. Listen and engage with the hardworking teachers in your school district. Talk to students and consider what they have to say.
This community is special, and if change is going to happen anywhere, it’s going to be here.
Sincerely, Concerned Student
