May 31, 2008

Another School Board Candidate

According to a list of filed candidates, Jonathan Christopher Mallard has thrown his hat into the 4th District School Board race. Bert Berlin had previously announced his intention to run for the seat being vacated by George Braxton. 5th District representative Betsy Carr is the only candidate who’s filed for that particular seat.

On the City Council side, Kathy Graziano is so far unopposed in the 4th, and nobody has yet filed to run in the 5th.

Posted at 5:49PM under Fourth District, Schools | Tags: Bert Berlin, Jonathan Mallard, Richmond School Board

81 Responses to “Another School Board Candidate”

posted by Common Sense Mom at June 1, 2008 12:11 pm :

For God sake, someone please run against Marty Jewel. PLEASE.
posted by Just Some Dude at June 1, 2008 4:17 pm :

Are we even sure he’s running again? Incumbents who are running again have filed in every other district.
posted by gray at June 1, 2008 8:32 pm :

Does anyone know anything about this Mallard guy?
posted by Jonathan Mallard at June 1, 2008 8:58 pm :

I’m going to be out of town all day tomorrow, so I probably won’t reply. However, I recognize that I need to introduce myself to a lot of folks.

It’s going to be a lot of walking, a lot of knocking on doors, and a couple of pairs of shoes before this is all over.
posted by David at June 2, 2008 8:07 am :

I am told there was another possible candidate getting peritions signed at the Farmer’s Market for Fourth District School Board. Livs in the westrn pasrt of the distict, has kids in public school.
posted by gray at June 2, 2008 8:56 am :

Not sure if this is true but worth investigating…heard that Melvin Law had a pick/or connection to one of the SB candidates running in the 4th district. Law spoke out against the PHI the night of the Charter vote (check John Murden’s notes.

A good question for all SB candidates would be where they stand on the PHI. Check out the interviews on chpn with several of our candidates –we asked that question.
posted by Bill at June 2, 2008 9:45 am :

I am told there was another possible candidate getting peritions signed at the Farmer’s Market for Fourth District School Board. Livs in the westrn pasrt of the distict, has kids in public school.

According to a neighbor, Mr. Mallard lives in western Westover Hills- perhaps this was him?

A good question for all SB candidates would be where they stand on the PHI. Check out the interviews on chpn with several of our candidates –we asked that question.

I believe Bert Berlin has already answered a lot of the potential questions on his blog. If anyone has any specific questions for him, Mallard or any other candidates, let me know and we’ll get some answers.
posted by gray at June 2, 2008 9:53 am :

Found out a little on Mallard…heard is a very smart guy and NOT at all connected to Melvin Law…whew!
posted by Just Some Dude at June 2, 2008 10:21 am :

Mallard appears to be a Toastmaster who donated to Paul Goldman’s 2006 Council run. Make of that what you will…
posted by David at June 2, 2008 10:36 am :

The other candidate I heard about was a woman, attorney, who lives off Huguenot…kids go to Fisher. Said to be pro-charter, pro-neighborhood schools.
posted by Carol Wolf at June 2, 2008 10:40 am :

Our family donated to Paul Goldman’s 2006 Council run and to every race Tim Kaine has ever run. Goldman and Kaine are both very smart guys who are dedicated to public service …. make of that what you will …
posted by gray at June 2, 2008 11:37 am :

Looks like you guys have some good candidates. It is going to be a tough choice. We have the same good problem in 7th district.
posted by Bill at June 3, 2008 4:27 pm :

John T. Lloyd throws in as well?
posted by Willis at June 4, 2008 12:47 pm :

Just wanted to chime in here..I live in Westover Heights (I think) but we are across the railroad tracks and in the ninth district…my wife and I are having our first child and I am very concerned about the school situation to the point where things don’t improve I may consider a move. Little is ever on here about the ninth and anything south and west of the Valero (and even that is only when an old lady goes through the front door with her car) so does anyone have any information they could contribute on candidates and what the heck our little enclave off Jhanke Road is called? I ran for city council in 2002 (2nd district former resident) when I was still at VCU and was considering running for school board this year but life is too hectic right now….baby, graduate school and all. Hopefully I can work on establishing a voice here on Hills and Heights for our few blocks on the other side of the tracks! Any help is appreciated! Thanks!
posted by Jennifer C. at June 4, 2008 2:14 pm :

If you own your house, it should be on the deed. Once whatever’s going on at City Hall is resolved, you’ll be able to do a property search at the address below - the neighborhood name shows up on the property card.

http://www.richmondgov.com/departments/gis/webmapper.aspx
posted by gray at June 4, 2008 3:24 pm :

I saw that Dawn Page is running for SB in the 8th. I believe this is the same Dawn Page who was the PTA president of Cary and who also spoke out against the PHI the night of the vote. She played a huge role in chasing the hard working in-zone museum district families out of Cary.
posted by gray at June 4, 2008 4:17 pm :

And Cary is not even Page’s zoned school.
posted by Willis at June 5, 2008 9:06 am :

Thanks Jennifer C! I do and it’s Forest View Heights apparently….the city changed the link though and the old GIS link dosen’t work any more for some reason. FYI.
posted by Bert Berlin at June 5, 2008 2:26 pm :

I think the name of the other candidate is Adria(n) Scott. She lives in the western end of the 4th district (Fisher school zone).

I certainly would like to answer any questions any readers may have. I have revealed most of my views on my blogsite. (My views on the PHI are at http://jamesrivermaven.blogspot.com/2008/04/patrick-henry-charter-school.html)

There are several reasons why I think I can do a better job on the school board than either of the other candidates:

1- I have over 25 years experience in government- accountability issues. I will instill a commitment to proper use of taxpayer money in everybody connected with RPS.

2- I am a fighter. I think that for too long Richmond’s children have not had a strong advocate on the school board. I will fight for what is best for our kids even if the next mayor, or members of the City Council, don’t like it. On the other hand, I also know that politics is the art of getting things done, so I know how to compromise when necessary.

3- I have a good relationship with current members of the school board, with members of the Council of PTAs, and with other people committed to improving our schools. I will work to unite all people in the Richmond community in the common goal of providing a world-class education to all our children.

4- I believe that our city cannot afford the continued bleeding of our middle class to the suburbs in search of better educational opportunities. We must make RPS so good that parents will feel safe in enrolling their children. Making all our neighborhood schools excellent will, of course, also benefit those children whose parents have no option but to enroll them in public school.

5- I grew up in poverty in a big city (actually, we didn’t think of ourselves as poor–we just didn’t have any money), and only because of the quality public education I received was I able to succeed in life. I am therefore deeply committed to public education.

6- I have raised three children who have all attended public schools and then went on to UVA or W&M. I understand the issues that all parents face in dealing with their child’s education.

7- I will fight to make sure that our public schools are adequately funded. Despite our high taxes, Richmond spends a smaller percentage of its annual operating budget on schools than do the surrounding jurisdictions. This is not a matter of waste–I will make sure that waste is cut out of the school budget. This is an issue of whether parents who pay so much in taxes have a right to expect high quality schools for their children.

8- I am retired and all my kids are grown. Therefore, I will not have conflicts with job or family to keep me from working for the city’s children. If you elect me, you’ll be getting a bargain–I’ll work longer hours for the same low pay.

As I stated in my statement of candidacy, “I cannot do these things alone so I am urging you all to join me in this campaign for our children. I need the help of young and old; I need the help of you who are empty nesters and have already raised your children; I need the help of you who are young and do not yet have children; I need the help of you who are financially well off and you who are struggling financially; I need the help of African Americans, Caucasians, and Hispanics.”

I would welcome all of you in my campaign for our children. Please call (233-3738) or email me (bertberlin@aol.com) if you’d like to help.
posted by Jonathan Mallard at June 5, 2008 9:26 pm :

As I said earlier, I recognize that I need to introduce myself to the voters.

I work as a bridge engineer. Specifically, I’m responsible for reviewing all superload vehicles to ensure that it is safe for them to cross any bridge in Virginia.

I’m well aware of the gravity of decisions. Yesterday, I was reminded once again of the consequences of making a wrong decision.

The short story is that a truck tried to cross a bridge posted for about ¼ of the weight of the truck. I’m thankful that there were no serious injuries.

http://www.wsls.com/sls/news/local/new_river_valley/article/one_lane_bridge_collapses_in_giles_county/12052/
I understand the seriousness of problems, and the consequences of wrong decisions. I take these into account every day. Because of this, I am thoughtful, deliberate, and thorough when I weigh the factors before committing to a decision.

I want to ensure everyone that this is the same attitude and process I will bring to my service on the School Board.

I welcome any questions anyone may have.

I do not have a website up yet, but in the meantime, you can reach me at: jonathan.mallard@gmail.com
posted by Jennifer C. at June 5, 2008 9:54 pm :

We were discussing that over the kitchen table at work. I was the first one to see the story, so I got to ask, “Hey - what d’you think happens when you drive a concrete truck onto a bridge with an eight-ton weight limit on it?” Whoops. And analogous to the way the city does things sometimes.
posted by Common Sense Mom at June 7, 2008 11:57 am :

Bert - I met you today at the farmer’s market and asked if you were supportive of charter schools and you firmly and quicly answered “NO I do not support charter schools.”. When you saw the disapproving look on my face you said, “well I support that charter school” while you pointed in the direction of Patrick Henry.

Hmmmmm….. If I had not been melting in the sun I would have asked you the following questions:

What is wrong with charter schools?
Why do you support Patrick Henry but not charter schools in general?
Would you vote “NO” to any other charter application in the future since you are against charter schools in general?

Thanks!
posted by Bert Berlin at June 12, 2008 12:19 pm :

Common Sense Mom,
If I had not been light-headed and dizzy from the sun, I might have been able to give you a decent answer.
I have discussed the Patrick Henry School Initiative quite thoroughly in my blog. Look at http://jamesrivermaven.blogspot.com/2008/04/patrick-henry-charter-school.html
I certainly don’t want to overload H&H by reprinting it here. But as to why I generally oppose charter schools, I said:

I think that charter schools, as well as school vouchers, are weapons being used by those who (for their own reasons) are trying to destroy public education in this country. Further, in looking at the experience of the District of Columbia, which has been a fertile ground for the growth of charter schools, I see that on the whole charter schools are not consistently better than public schools. Although there certainly are charter schools whose students out-perform students in public schools, there are also many charter schools whose students perform worse than public school students.

Charter schools divert both energy and funding from the task of improving public schools. As I said in an e-mail to an advocate for the Initiative, “I have great respect for the work that your members have done. I only wish that they had invested as much time and energy into working to fix our public schools.” Our main task in this city must be to provide a first-class education to all the students in all of our schools. If a charter school is to serve as merely a life boat for the few, while the remainder of our children “go down with the ship,” I must oppose it.

Mom, I am not running for the school board to preside (in part) in the dismantling of our public schools and their replacement with a group of charter schools. I am running for the school board to make our public schools a viable alternative for parents who do not want to leave the city. If, in the future, another group applies for a charter, and they have a good enough vision and have done as good a job in preparation, I will certainly consider the application on its merits.

We have three elementary schools in the fourth district–Fisher, Southampton and Westover Hills. For reasons that are complex and date back to desegregation and massive resistance, middle class residents of the fourth district have decided that their children cannot get a quality education at two of those schools. Therefore, in my neighborhood, there are plenty of young children playing or walking with their parents, but I know that they will be gone from the neighborhood when they reach school age (unless their parents can find the money for private school or the time for home schooling).

To me this situation is intolerable. We citizens of Richmond are paying taxes (which are higher than those paid by our neighbors across the line) and we don’t get public schools in which we have confidence.

For the past two years, or so, I have been serving on the board of directors of Friends of Fourth District Schools. One of our goals is to provide a viable public school option for all the parents in the fourth district. Frankly, it’s been a rather frustrating endeavor. All the other people on the board are great and we have worked hard, but it is very hard to change attitudes that have evolved over decades. I have discussed this issue with my neighbors with young children, but it seems that many of them have already decided that the neighborhood school is not good enough for their child.

FOFDS has worked on zoning proposals that would concentrate middle-class families in a single school, thus allowing parents to enroll their child in that school without feeling that their child will be different from all the other children. Apparently, our zoning proposals are not being considered on a fast-track.

We are investigating the possibility of establishing an International Baccalaureate Primary Years program in one of the fourth district elementary schools. Perhaps having an IB school will convince parents that their children can get a quality education in public schools.

If I seemed abrupt to you at the farmer’s market, it is because I feel that talking about charter schools is a waste of time. We should be talking about making Richmond’s public schools into great schools.

Mom, our tax bills from the city go up and up each year. The portion of our taxes that end up in our public schools is shrinking each year. We have a right to expect that our higher and higher taxes will result in schools that are good enough for all of our children.

I am running for the school board because I know I can make a difference. I will fight to assure that all of the children in the fourth district will receive a first-class public education. I will work to unite the badly separated factions in our city into a common goal of creating the best school system in Virginia. I see a day, not too distant, when parents will not need to look to a charter school as the only hope for their child to receive a high quality public education.

Mom, I hope you will join me in waging this fight for the children of Richmond.
posted by Bert Berlin at June 12, 2008 2:16 pm :

Common Sense Mom,
One more thing. Charter schools are devisive. Just look at what went on at hte hearing on the PHI. I am sure that the PHI will tell you it’s all the fault of the NAACP and the PTAs who are trying to kill a viable educational option. I am equally sure that the other side will tell you that the PHI, or any other charter school, will be siphoning off resources and thus harming the children left in normal public schools. We’ve got enough division in this city. We don’t need future charter school proposals to divide us even further.
posted by Common Sense Mom at June 19, 2008 11:27 am :

Thank you for clarifying. Based on this response I will not vote for you.

“Making RPS into great schools” is a good thought and certainly what everyone wants but after years and years and years of failure the public HAS HAD ENOUGH. In my mind RPS has lost it’s chance and you, or any other well-meaning schoolboard member cannot make the changes that MY CHILD needs NOW. RPS has consistently proven itself slow to change, segregationist and irresponsible with funding - you are not going to turn that ship around in time for MY CHILD to get a quality education in the neighborhood he lives in.

I believe that “thinking outside the box” is crucial when dealing with a failing public school system such as RPS. RPS certainly has had successes that are commendable, but the OVERALL performance of RPS is unacceptable with a 47% graduation rate. I see no reason to rehab a chronically ill system that is slow, if not impossible, to reform. Kids are slipping through the cracks and cutting through red tape and beaurocracy of the public school system takes too long. Richmond is not the first city to have an expensive failing public school system. Other failing urban school systems have dealt with this problem successfully with innovative thinking, progressive efforts and charter schools. We need to take lessons these cities who have charter their way through this territory. Innovation is dead in RPS.

Second, Did the NAACP stomp up to NYC and protest the Howard University sponsored Middle School of Art’s and Science? or the Green School of Baltimore? (Both predominately African American attended SUCCESSFUL charter schools) Did they accuse Howard University of Jim Crow tactics? NO they did not. The NAACP of Ricmond is a small-city, small minded organization that does not operate in accordance with the national NAACP or with NAACP chapters of more progressive thinking northern cities. I will not vote in a school board member who is afraid of this organization.

RPS is failing and I have no interest in allowing more kids to slip through the cracks while we wait for burocracy to work. Your attitude demonstrates that you do not get that PHI wants to PARTNER with RPS for a DIVERSE INNOVATIVE school. Your stance is adversarial and doubtful. If Patrick Henry becomes a success (and it will), then there probably will be more charter school applications. Success breeds success. I have no interest in a school board member that is closed-minded to success.
posted by gray at June 19, 2008 1:50 pm :

Common Sense Mom, you made excellent points regarding the NAACP –I will use these in the future. And kids do slip through the cracks and no you should not wait. I, unfortunately, waited and worked with their RPS and my children have suffered because of it.
posted by Jennifer K. at June 19, 2008 3:29 pm :

Common Sense Mom, thank you for allowing Mr. Berlin to express his unsupportable beliefs regarding RPS and charter schools. Since he brings up Washington DC, may I point him to a recent William McGurn OpEd in the Wall Street Journal which provides FACTS that flat out contradict his statements, “Just how rotten are the D.C. public schools? In a recent survey by Education Week, the D.C. public schools ranked fourth from the bottom in terms of graduation rates. Test scores for basics like math and reading are also near the bottom. It’s not for lack of money: A recent U.S. Census Bureau report says the district school spending clocks in at more than $13,400 per child — third highest in the nation. It takes a lot of money to run a school system as lousy as D.C.’s.”
And all of that high-priced public education is IN SPITE of the money being “siphoned” away by vouchers and charter schools. If Mr. Berlin can produce contradicting data to the above, I would be very interested to see them. At present, his credibility is seriously dented.
posted by Jennifer C. at June 19, 2008 5:36 pm :

Oh my goodness, I have a new hero. CSM hit that on the head!
posted by David at June 20, 2008 8:25 am :

DC has charter schools…lots of them. Some are good, some are bad. Charter schools are not the answer.Good charter schools are certainly part of the answer. Blanket opposition to charter schools is just head in the sand refusal to learn. Certainly there were those in the past who supported charter schools as just another segregationist effort. That is not the case under the Virginia law, and certainly not the case with the PHI.
posted by S. Martin at June 20, 2008 11:09 am :

All - I just want to point out that charter schools ARE pubilc schools. Seems to have been misreprented by Mr. Berlin.
posted by Jonathan Mallard at June 20, 2008 6:16 pm :

I think the first question to ask is why a group of hard working folks would decide to take on the Herculean task of creating a charter application, defining curricula, and establishing a budget. The answer to that question should reveal a good deal about the perception of the schools.

One of the mayoral candidates correctly and succinctly stated what the issue is: the majority of parents have no choice in their children’s education - they have to go to the public system. We’re all well aware of what choices have been made by most of the people that have them.

When alternatives are available, the competing options are forced to improve their value. That’s competition, and has lead to innovation and improvement throughout history.

I’m in favor of anything that promotes improvement and innovation.

I’ve got to compliment David on a thoughtful and succinct response above.
posted by gray at June 21, 2008 12:39 am :

The most moving post on this thread is undoubtly #25 –strong and powerful.
posted by Common Sense Mom at June 24, 2008 10:42 am :

S. Martin - Exactly! Charter Schools are public schools, but with an innovative twist that breaks the status quo. PHI is as public as it gets with it’s “open to any child in the city” policy. Mr. Berlin is treating charter schools as if they were publically funded PRIVATE schools that siphon off funding for the elite. That’s not the attitude I want in my school board member.

And Jonathan - YES, it says alot when a group of hard working parents and neighbors sacrifice time, energy, money, blood, sweat and tears to change a failing system. First, it says WE CARE and second, it says ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! PHI’s passion and perserverance is a gift to RPS and may very well produce a product that can be used system-wide….that is if the school board members we vote in are open to innovation.

To all - I encourage you to go to NAACP’s website and read their mission and values statement. After the PHI school board vote I was very curious about what appeared to me to be a very “angry, hate-filled, anti-white” organization and I did some reading up. It became very clear to me that King Salim Kalfahni and the Richmond NAACP charter are not in alignment with the peaceful equal-rights National NAACP and especially not in alignment with their new ivy-leage educated 35 year old biracial president who is known to describe the current national NAACP by saying “this is not your father’s NAACP”. Kalfahni is anti-white. The NAACP is not. I was relieved to learn that and I hope the National NAACP makes good on it’s promise of “out with the old and in with the new”.
posted by gray at June 24, 2008 1:09 pm :

Charter schools will bring in more money into the system because a choice will encourage families to live in the city and use Richmond Public Schools.

For example, my oldest has left RPS and will be attending private middle next school year. That is a loss of $6000 to $13,000 that would normally go RPS for my child. They are also losing a honor roll student who had help (along with other students) to keep SOL scores up thus keeping the federal funds flowing. If there was a PHI at the middle school level, I would have enrolled my child and RPS would not have lost the money.
posted by Alsoamom at June 27, 2008 11:59 pm :

I’m Alsoamom and I have been reading this blog and not chiming in, but now it seems I need to do so. Mr. Berlin does not oppose Patrick Henry and he has said that clearly—in writing—on his blog. Mr. Berlin says he does not agree with all charter schools and the other Mom, and a few others, say that is a reason not to vote for him. I find this strange because each and every school, public or charter, or private, is like each kid—an individual. I would be very worried if Mr. Berlin jumped in and said anything other than what he said because the Board needs to consider all of the students that enter the schools.
Most charter schools make parent involvement a requirement. How will any charter school reach out to the African American and Latino parents to make sure that they understand that this school is for all. Will a charter school make decisions about expelling children with low grades? Will a charter school consider how to feed children breakfast because the children do not have enough food at home? Will a charter school be able to provide lunch or subsidize field trips for children on free or reduced lunch? What about a parent or grandparent who would like their child to go to the school but doesn’t know the system well enough to know the application process?
Public schools welcome all children. They feed some children breakfast and lunch. They do not ask a parent or grandparent if they can commit enough time to the public school, though of course they hope that will happen. Public schools teach all who walk through the doors with out asking anyone’s parent to make out an application to his or her neighborhood school.
If Mr. Berlin, or any of the candidates, says that he or she will automatically approve a charter school than that person should not be a school board member. I do not think we should vote for someone who says that he or she will always vote one way or another on any issue. I strongly feel that we should vote for the person who understands that each and every child in the city is worth the time, trouble and energy to examine every issue carefully and then make a decision. It is easy, when running for office, to be a “yes” man; it’s much harder to examine issues. I’ll vote for the examiner.
posted by gray at June 28, 2008 3:56 pm :

“Most charter schools make parent involvement a requirement.”

The schools without parent involvement suffer. The teachers are unsupported and employees get away with speaking and treating children in inappropriate ways without the watchful eyes of parents. Whenever my kids told me of things such as an employee saying to the entire cafeteria “I’ll mop the floor with you…and I’m not scared of your parents…I’ll mop the floor up with them too,” I made a point to drop in and watch and report such incidents. Schools without parents go unchecked and are unsafe. I have found that RPS system doesn’t listen to parents or the children, especially when they are poor. RPS will always end up right in a “he said she said situation.” I know at one school, the administration hated such parental involvement they chased out the parents wanting to improve the school.

“How will any charter school reach out to the African American and Latino parents to make sure that they understand that this school is for all.”

RPS has failed in the “reaching out” department. For example, when it became known that Albert Hill Middle would be open to out-of-zone students because only two middle schools were accredited, certain zones were told after the “No Child Left Behind Act” deadline had passed. Some manage to slip in, however, most were left with no option but to attend their in-zone struggling to failing school.

“Will a charter school make decisions about expelling children with low grades?”

I bet with a hands-on curriculum, grades will go up. I personally have watched kids struggle in RPS because the method is not age appropriate nor interesting and when the children do get interested, why it is time to cover the next SOL subject. And all the multiple choice worksheets are not producing thinkers whatsoever. I believe kids are naturally bright and each has their own individual gifts and talents and unfortunately with all this SOL stuff, many schools (especially the ones with inept leaders and unsupported, untrained teachers) are unable to bring out the most in students.

Regarding expelling children from school: RPS record is horrendous. And the suspension rates in some schools out number the students enrolled.

“What about a parent or grandparent who would like their child to go to the school but doesn’t know the system well enough to know the application process?”

To get your kid in a good RPS, you’ve got to do your research and make calls to individual schools and sometimes they will give you the wrong information or you simply will not be able to reach anyone. My favorite example comes from a parent who was sitting in a school office and watched the folk at the front desk turn inquiring in-zone parents away. Another example, a parent calls neighborhood school to check it out, leaves message and never hears back from the principal.

Also the application process for better schools under the NCLB act is not advertised well or announced. I’ve told many parents about this process and how to keep calling about the deadline.

Alsoamom, I agree with you on voting for an examiner and I would add, problem solver. But some of the questions you have asked of the charter need to be answered by RPS honestly. RPS is a separate and unequal system and the poor are given less. My ideal would be for public education to become like the fire department. The fire department puts out fires at both wealthy homes and poor homes. One does not receive better service than the other. The fire department takes care of all.

This charter is an equal city wide open enrollment lottery. The wealthy are not chosen over the poor. The poor in the charter school will not be treated differently –they will receive the same opportunities. RPS has not reached this goal (and I have a long list of examples that I will give if necessary).

I leave with this note: RPS should look at what Mr. Hudson is doing over at Holton. He is an exceptional leader ensuring all students from the homeless to the governor’s children are educated well and treated with dignity and respect. He retains his teachers unless they are promoted and he reaches out to parents. And finally, he wants to hear from you, the child, the parent, the teacher.
posted by Bert Berlin at June 29, 2008 11:31 pm :

I have decided not to respond to Common Sense Mom’s rather harsh attack on me in response 25 above. Instead, I wish to set forth the following:

–I publicly endorsed the Patrick Henry Initiative before the school board’s decision to approve PHI’s application. Prior to publishing my endorsement, I spent several days discussing the pros and cons of the PHI with Richard Day. Despite my initial doubts, Richard answered all my questions and helped me reach my recommendation that the school board approve the PHI application.

–I am open to any future charter school proposals. As I stated in response 23 above, “If, in the future, another group applies for a charter, and they have a good enough vision and have done as good a job in preparation, I will certainly consider the application on its merits.”

–I am looking forward to the implementation of the PHI. I am not afraid of change; I welcome it. The PHI charter is an experiment of new ideas and approaches that may be applied to the other schools in the city. I am anxiously waiting to see whether PHI’s initiatives in school scheduling, interdisciplinary curricula and parental involvement work and can benefit all the city’s children. I offer to Richard Day whatever help I can give in implementing the charter and getting the school moving forward.

–The statements made by representatives of the Richmond NAACP at hearings on the PHI do not represent my views. I think these statements were hurtful and divisive. It is unfair for anybody to suggest that I endorse those statements.

–As a candidate for the school board, I am not “afraid” of the Richmond NAACP or any other interest group. I have only one constituency—the children living or attending school in the Fourth District. I will fight for those children whether or not it gains me votes. I will fight for those children even if it costs me the support of people in high places. I am running for the school board to “rock the boat.” I will not accept the status quo.
posted by Jennifer C. at June 30, 2008 7:59 am :

Mr. Berlin, I disagree that CSM’s post was a “harsh attack”-rather it was a pointed dissection of the issue of the local NAACP, its race-baiting and name-calling, and your response to it. Are these your words or not?

Charter schools are devisive. Just look at what went on at hte hearing on the PHI…We’ve got enough division in this city. We don’t need future charter school proposals to divide us even further.

You might not endorse the NAACP’s views, but you don’t have to endorse them if they affect your actions as if you did.
Your platform looks good, but I’m having a hard time reconciling that with what I’ve read on your blog and in these comments.
posted by Common Sense Dad at June 30, 2008 10:24 am :

I disagree with this statement:

“This charter is an equal city wide open enrollment lottery. The wealthy are not chosen over the poor. The poor in the charter school will not be treated differently –they will receive the same opportunities.”

As I understand it, children outside of the Patrick Henry district will have to provide their own transportation to get to school. So while the wealthy might not be chosen over the poor to attend this school, they will have a great advantage over poor and working class families when considering their options. Single parent households, or parents working multiple jobs will most likely not be able to drive their children to and from school every day.

And to Jennifer C., in my experience on the internet, calling someone close minded, and typing in all caps definitely qualifies as harsh.
posted by Jennifer C. at June 30, 2008 1:08 pm :

I’m not denying that those with transportation will have an advantage coming from out of zone, but there’s a fairly strong commitment within the PHI community to make sure any child who wants to come will get there. Carpools are a wonderful thing. We’ll be using our feet if we get lucky enough to win a slot, though.
As for your “experience on the internet,” calling someone close-minded is an opinion. Calling him “a big fat ignorant stupidhead” would be harsh. Typing in all caps is rude, but CSM isn’t typing in all caps. She used caps for emphasis, which would normally be indicated with italics or bolding. However, not everyone has the “experience on the internet” or the HTML skills (or a toolbar, which I do, thank you Firefox) to do bolding or italics, so they use caps or asterisks instead.
posted by Jennifer C. at June 30, 2008 1:14 pm :

In addition, Mr. Berlin is running for public office, which opens him up to more scrutiny about his beliefs (as well as his consistency). He’s going to need a thicker skin if he wants to stay in the race. CSM is voicing the feelings of quite a few people in the Fourth, and he would be well-advised to consider what she says.
I know there are a majority of underprivileged children in this city, and I applaud him for working in the schools.
On the other hand, I have two children that I am directly responsible for nurturing, and I wouldn’t be doing my job as a parent if I didn’t make sure the candidate I’m voting for will work as much for them as for the rest.
posted by Jennifer C. at June 30, 2008 1:24 pm :

In order to avoid further distressing other readers with inappropriate capitalization, all H&H&PHI&L,DL readers will hereby switch to Firefox and download this toolbar so we can all look like HTML wizards.
(really, it is handy to have.)
posted by gray at June 30, 2008 10:03 pm :

“So while the wealthy might not be chosen over the poor to attend this school, they will have a great advantage over poor and working class families when considering their options. Single parent households, or parents working multiple jobs will most likely not be able to drive their children to and from school every day.”

You make a point here Common Sense Dad but regular RPS also did away with busing for out-of-zone students…this is an issue for all public schools including the Charter. I know many parents railing against the loss of transportation (starting last September 2007) to their kids’ out-of-zone schools.
posted by Bert Berlin at June 30, 2008 10:33 pm :

To Jennifer C.,

I am committed to significantly improving educational opportunities for all our children. I am anxious to listen to everybody on issues of education in Richmond. After spending lots of time talking (both by email and over the phone) to “Gray” about the problems she has had with RPS, I am learning what our children and their parents are experiencing. I would be more than happy to listen to your views, too. Call me (233-3738) and we can talk. Or, let’s meet at Blanchards or the Crossroads for coffee and talk face-to-face.
posted by tiny at July 1, 2008 9:55 am :

If you child lives in a zone with a unaccredited school, they may enroll in an accredited out zone school, and through No Child Left Behind (not open enrollment), bus transportation MUST be provided. Will NCLB children be allowed to enroll in Patrick Henry? (I’m asking - I don’t know the answer.) If not, the system is not fair and will disportionately exclude poor students.
posted by Common Sense Mom at July 1, 2008 10:08 am :

Bert - I find it interesting that you think that my all caps “….HAD ENOUGH” statement in #25 is a harsh personal attack on you. Or that my #25 is a personal attack on you at all. I don’t know you, all I know is your stance on Charter Schools and that is what I am challenging in my posts. If I sounded abrubt, then I am. And this is because I am fed up, as many parents in the city are. My use of ALL CAPS is my effort to express that frustration, it’s my way of slowing down and articulating something of note, or using a “presidential non-pointing point” to place emphasis on certain statements. I certainly am not “attacking” as you claim.

If I were to attack you on a personal level Bert then I would say something like this: “IF YOU CAN’T TAKE THE HEAT… THEN STAY OUT OF THE RACE FOR SCHOOL BOARD”. And I would use bold.
posted by nadine at July 1, 2008 10:18 am :

I am open to charter schools, but the commenters who support PHSI come across as combative and tend to attack anyone who does share the same feelings as they do. Everything is getting too personal.
posted by Common Sense Mom at July 1, 2008 10:21 am :

Common Sense Dad-
The PHI cannot afford to provide transportation on a city-wide scale. It is a grassroots effort that is just getting off the ground. Would they prefer to have fully scale, city-wide transportation on day one? YES. (oh sorry…yes) Are they hoping to provide large-scale transportation in the future as the budget grows? yes.

My question to you is this: Since transportation cannot be provided for every single solitary child within the city limits, should PHI not open at all? Should the whole thing be shut down now because it is not going to be 100% perfect from day one? Should we not even try?

Don’t let perfection get in the way of something good. PHI is striving for perfection but they have to start somewhere…and that starting place is very very good.
posted by nadine at July 1, 2008 10:33 am :

I just have one more point. If you are able to listen to the people with opposing points of view rather than attacking them, you might find some common ground. There might some ways to tweak the current set-up that would win more supporters over to the charter school side.
posted by Laura M at July 1, 2008 10:36 am :

Good morning. As a member of the Friends of Fourth District Schools and a new mom, I’d like to add my support for both PHI and Bert Berlin. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Bert as both part of FoFDS and on the CAG for Westover Hills Elementary and I can honestly say that there are few individuals as principaled as Bert, as dedicated to public education, or as willing to listen to new view points and amend his own once properly convinced of the merit of those view points. As a potential school board member, his willingness to listen, learn, and act are great strengths. Knowing Bert, as I do, I am confident that he will support any action or proposal that he is convinced will support the public school system. Any additional charter schools would be weighed on their individual merit, however, and not automatically ratified because of a misconception that a charter school in and of itself is a solution. PHI has done an absolutely amazing job of galvanzing the community and developing a proposal that brings additional options to the communities south of the James River. I want to be sure that everyone knows that Bert supports PHI and the efforts of everyone involved to get it approved. He also supports an IB elementary school in the 4th district (which would provide us with another option) and the continued support and development of the existing schools and programs. I hope that each of you will take the time to read his BLOG and talk with him before making a final decision before voting this fall.
posted by Common Sense Mom at July 1, 2008 10:44 am :

My child’s educational future and my ability to continue living in my neighborhood as my child enters school is pretty darn personal. I also feel personally charged to fight for the educational future of underserved children for very personal reasons that I do not wish to share here.

I’m only one PHI supporter. Please, don’t let my particularily passionate comments cloud your judgement of all PHI supporters. There are many more level-headed, non-ALL-CAPS using PHI supporters than me. It’s really a teriffic, caring, open-minded group of people. Come to a Tuesday evening meeting and meet them for yourself, you’ll be warmly welcomed.
posted by Bert Berlin at July 1, 2008 11:15 am :

Common Sense Mom, Jennifer C.

Let’s stop taking pot-shots at each other and start talking about the needs of Richmond’s children. Email me at bertberlin@aol.com. Call me at 233-3738. The ball is now in your court.
posted by Jennifer C. at July 1, 2008 1:19 pm :

Okay. CSM, I’ll be your second. Mr. Berlin, you and Laura M. meet us at Crossroads at dawn. The choice of weapon is yours :)

Nadine, I’m not sure what else people want to hear about the PHI. As CSM says, it can’t be perfect for everyone from day 1, but a lot of the detractors seem to have exactly the opinion that if it can’t be, it shouldn’t exist at all. It’s an impossible position to work with, which I suspect is the point for some of the detractors.
As I stated, Mr. Berlin has made himself a public figure and is asking for votes. Why shouldn’t we make him work for them? Why can’t we ask him to clarify his positions on issues that are important to us? I haven’t seen any personal attacks on anyone in this thread. I have no problem with Mr. Berlin personally, and I’d put money on CSM feeling the same way. This is business.
posted by nadine at July 1, 2008 1:28 pm :

Jennifer, All I am saying is that I have been attacked previously for even asking questions about PHI. As someone who is trying to make up mind about this, the attacks really detract and I definately feel like my issues are not being considered.

The attacks feel personal because they aggressive and do not consider and valid points brought up by someone with a different point of view.
posted by Jennifer C. at July 1, 2008 1:50 pm :

*off to look at other PHI posts*
posted by GetRealRichmond at July 1, 2008 4:08 pm :

Bert, baby, if you do not develop some thicker skin, you are gonna be an early casualty in your campaign for office.

Seriously, the biggest problem RPS School Board has is that they take EVERYTHING so damn personally. All you have to do is look at they way they try to damage Carol Wolf’s credibility because she disagrees with the pack mentality. Wolf is the only one on that board that understands that dissent is as American as the Fourth of July.

So what if Wolf wants to dissent? The rest of those people need to get some emotional intelligence. If they could only attack the problem and not the person.

SB members and Richmond citizens need to grow up and appreciate dissent and difference. It isn’t personal. And, Bert, if you don’t understand that, you will not bring anything of substance to the board. Got it?
posted by GetRealRichmond at July 1, 2008 4:10 pm :

And, one other piece of advice, Bert — elected officials are SUPPOSED to serve the people and LISTEN.
posted by Common Sense Mom at July 1, 2008 4:31 pm :

Bert - I don’t think we were “taking pot-shots at each other”. At least, I didn’t view your comments as pot-shots, just normal back and forth on a controversial issue. I am happy to talk to you one on one because I think this type of forum is limited in it’s ability to facilitate constructive conversation - nothing beats a good ol’ sit down right?

I would advise you, in this public forum, to be slower to call legitimate points “pot shots” and avoid going straight to the “no fair, she’s attacking me!” defense. I think you can do better than that.
posted by pagalina at July 1, 2008 4:40 pm :

RE: comment #56
I’m not sure, though, that dissent for dissent’s sake is always productive. I think it can actually be disruptive and that’s the impression I’ve gotten of Carol Wolf’s presence on the SB. Look at the KING of dissent, our mayor! :)
posted by Jennifer C. at July 1, 2008 8:05 pm :

I disagree with you on this one, P. Wolf goes against the Board by speaking up on actual, existing issues (ADA, fiscal accountability). The Mayor *creates* issues because his monumental ego just can’t handle the prospect of working with Council.
posted by GetRealRichmond at July 1, 2008 8:12 pm :

From SAVERICHMOND blogger Don Harrison:

Because of an error made while gathering the required signatures to run for re-election, 3rd district school board member Carol Wolf is now off of the official November ballot — which is an unfathomable loss at a time when we need her voice and steely determination more than ever.

As detailed on these pages and elsewhere, Wolf has — almost singlehandedly at times — been the city’s premier advocate on behalf of Richmond’s public schoolchildren; an independent voice who knows how to effectively use her bully pulpit to cut through RPS’ often-clannish, sometimes-wasteful BS. She’s fought the hardest for ADA compliance (often over the objections and willful obstruction of outgoing School Board Chairman George Braxton — wanna read something truly moronic? Click here), she’s been pushed under the bus by her fellow school board members for daring to speak forcefully on behalf of school accountability and basic common sense, and she’s gone to war with city and school adminstrators for failing to place valuable resources where they belong… in the classroom.
posted by Bert Berlin at July 1, 2008 10:48 pm :

Common Sense Mom,
Where and when?
You have my email and phone number so you have to contact me.
posted by Bert Berlin at July 2, 2008 8:35 am :

GetRealRichmond:

Carol Wolf is my hero! I only hope I can have her level of courage when I am on the school board.
posted by Common Sense Mom at July 2, 2008 9:17 am :

Common ground! Carol Wolfe is my hero too! I was really sorry to hear about the signature problem and I worry about what her absence will mean for city schools. She and Braxton are both big losses. They spoke the voice of reason and clarity on a board that appears frought with segregation and inertia.

Bert- I look forward to talking to you more, please know that I have the greatest respect for anyone who is willing to work for our city’s kids and I appreciate your very obvious dedication!
posted by gray at July 2, 2008 2:16 pm :

Bert Berlin, You have already displayed courage by joining in on the discussion here on Hills and Heights and by answering hard questions honestly knowing some would not agree.

I’d rather vote for someone giving an honest opinion I might disagree with than for a politician saying what I want to hear.

I’m with everyone else, I like Carol Wolf too and I hope the folk in the 3rd district gather support for her in a write-in campaign.
posted by Cordell d. at July 3, 2008 11:37 am :

While I do not support Bert Berlin, I applaud his time, efforts, and volunteer spirit he has used to try to improve RPS. In reading this blog, I am troubled by all of the divisiveness that appears on this blog. Unfortunately, there seems to be an attitude that if you don’t agree with me, you are wrong, or bound by old school thinking, aren’t open to new ideas, aren’t properly informed or some such idea. Isn’t it possible that two intelligent people could look at the same data, the same scenario, and come up with conflicting views? I did not support the PHI, but I think those who did have valid reasons, and hope the charter school works because that would benefit all of RPS.
posted by Jennifer C. at July 3, 2008 1:24 pm :

I do not get all the talk of “divisiveness.” Not agreeing 100% with someone else’s views is not divisiveness, and neither is requesting clarification of points. As stated (repeatedly), ths is business, not personal.
If you think we should all sit around singing Kum Ba Ya and just vote for whoever sings the loudest, you’re going to be disappointed.
posted by Common Sense Mom at July 3, 2008 2:18 pm :

It is possible that two intelligent people(or five or ten)could look at the same data and come up with different ideas. So how does anything get accomplished? Truth is, there is a wisdom in crowds and studies have shown that when people of different viewpoints weigh in on something, the crowd makes the right decison. That is why elections work (that is, when people get off their butt and vote). This fall the wisdom of the crowd will be revealed and Bert Berlin and his opponents will know how the constituents of the 4th district feel about the important issues.

I may have one viewpoint but I respect that others may have a different one. I expect people of other viewpoints to be just as passionate and vocal as I am in public forums like this. I don’t think it is really fair to try to shut down any viewpoint by describing it “divisive” or “pot shots”…. that’s a weak defense. If you have an opposing viewpoint, speak up! You might just change some minds!

I’m wondering if there are any other topics on this board with 68 responses?! That says something!
posted by Cordell d. at July 3, 2008 5:43 pm :

I guess I view discussion not as an opportunity to change minds, but to expand dialogue, to gather other viewpoints, to learn from other people. When i try to change minds, by definition that means I think I am right. I think there are very few issues that there is a right and wrong. There are always more than one way to accomplish a task.
posted by Jennifer C. at July 3, 2008 5:46 pm :

Cordell, that was very well-put. Thanks for posting that.
posted by gray at July 3, 2008 8:47 pm :

CMS, I saw the “Wisdom of the Crowds” on Nova Science Now the other night. Go here to check out the brief skit on English nobleman, Sir Grancis Galton: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/0301/04.html . While watching it, I kept wondering what happened to the American crowd that it would choose Bush two terms in a row…well we know around 50% of the crowd wasn’t so wise.

Regarding Cordell d.’s statement “When i try to change minds, by definition that means I think I am right”: sometimes that is a good thing. I’m thinking of folk like Galileo Galilei, Martin Luther of the Civil Rights movement, to James Hansen, the NASA climate expert trying to change the minds of those denying global warming, and countless others. I don’t think these folk were just looking to expand dialogue.
posted by Cordell d. at July 3, 2008 11:02 pm :

Thank you Jennifer C.

Martin Luther was trying to change minds, but he also understood the deep rooted nature of racism, and did not blame all white people for the sins of a few. He practiced tolerance, not intolerance. Can’t comment about Galileo, but while there is agreement on global warming, there is disagreement as to the cause and what can be done about it.

I do not support Bush, but I can understand why people voted for him. I did not vote for Wilder, but I can understand why people voted for him. I am not in favor of charter schools, but I can understand why we need to try something different. I am not in favor of raising taxes, but I can understand if we do to pay for roads.

I just think society in general has lost the art of debate, discussion, and patience.
posted by Just144ice at July 4, 2008 12:27 am :

Nadine is right. The rabid collective voice of PHCI supporters on these forums is a big turn off and seems to represent a “my way or the highway” organizational ethic.

It’s good to see people engaging the system for school improvements, but will PHCI’s student body end up representative, 68% black? Regardless, why attack advocates who are focused on the other 17,000 kids in Richmond? Disparaging the PTAs isn’t very encouraging behavior for a fledgling school, in fact, it comes off as self-centered.

The vitriol for Bert Berlin is entirely misdirected. Both PHCI supporters and Berlin are advocating changes in our school system. Isn’t it the current slate of SB members and key administrators that should be the targets of coordinated efforts on both parts? PHCI, NAACP, Crusade, etc? I really don’t understand why interest groups choose to fight among each other when they could be teaming up, but the negligent people in charge certainly thank you for the in-fighting.
posted by Jennifer C. at July 4, 2008 7:37 am :

Vitriol. Good grief.
I just posted something to this effect on Mr. Berlin’s blog, but I’ll restate here.

why attack advocates who are focused on the other 17,000 kids in Richmond?

Just because we’re posting about the PHI doesn’t mean that’s all we’re about, individually. He’s a candidate for public office, and part of that is publicizing his platform and all of his accomplishments. None of the rest of us is. Don’t assume the PHI is our only focus in RPS and the community.
Also, aren’t there more than 17K kids in the city?
posted by gray at July 4, 2008 12:35 pm :

Look here http://richmondva.areaconnect.com/statistics.htm at the year 2000 stats and see that even then the number of kids living in the city far exceed 17,000.
posted by gray at July 4, 2008 12:43 pm :

So the question is how do we draw in more of the city kids into RPS? The more students enrolled in a public school system means more money, better services, therefore a better education being offered over all.
posted by Just144ice at July 4, 2008 3:28 pm :

How do we draw in more kids? Probably the direct opposite approach from what the PHCI supporters have done thus far. Promoting two very narrow programs (and the prospect of a third), then saying that the rest of the system cannot be reformed, is NOT going to encourage anyone’s involvement in RPS. Instead, it is only fomenting self-interest and white privilege in the political process at the expense of the vast majority of Richmond’s children. But, maybe that’s the way progress was meant to spread in RVA, starting (and probably ending) with the “cream” of the crop.
posted by Jonathan Mallard at July 4, 2008 4:42 pm :

Great question Gray. How do we draw more kids to RPS?

If you examine the data from the Virginia Department of Education, you will notice some disturbing trends.

Out of 131 Districts, in’96-97 RPS performed laudably. It was 15th in the state in percentage of Advanced Diplomas awarded, 32nd overall in percentage of graduates attending college, and near the bottom (107th) in percentage of graduates who reported they had no plans after graduation. Kids were learning, and knew where they were headed after they got out of the system.

In the decade that followed, RPS can charitably be described as falling below those standards, and well below the Statewide averages.

Percentage of Advanced Diplomas plummeted to 107th in ‘01-02, 113th in ‘04-05 before settling at 119th of 131 in ‘06-07 the latest year that data is available.

Percentage of Students attending either a 2 or 4 year college fell from 32nd in ‘96-97 to 122nd in ‘01-02 before rebounding slightly to 109th in ‘05-06 and 88th in ‘06-07.

While being 88th is an improvement from 122nd in this category, please keep in mind that we were still 10 percentage points behind the statewide average.

As for the percentage of graduates who stated that they had no known plans upon finishing high school, all I can do is present the facts. We were 107th in the state in ‘96-97 (Lower is GOOD in this category!)

Since then, we were 42nd in 99-00, we cracked the top 10 in ‘01-02, and ranked 14th, 2nd, 4th, 4th, and finally 14th in ‘06-07. The last few years we were twice and four times higher than the statewide average. That’s how many kids had no idea of what they were going to do after they completed RPS.

If you had a choice as a parent, would you choose to enroll your child in this system? The majority of parents do not have a choice. That is one reason why I think there is so much frustration with this system.

I will be looking further into these issues, and posting more details on my website once it is up and running. I will also be posting proposed solutions.

All raw data cited above can be found here:

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Publications/
posted by Common Sense Mom at July 4, 2008 5:34 pm :

Vitrol? Rabies? Pot Shots? Ok then, since I am clearly upsetting tender sensibilities here I will take my bow and exit. But you mark my words…. no thread here will be ever be 78 responses long again! Peace.
posted by Just Some Dude at July 4, 2008 6:11 pm :

CSM, please don’t bow out. I don’t always agree with you (I don’t always agree with anyone actually), but I can’t help but respect your passion. We just need about 50,000 more people with your enthusiasm towards education and maybe we’d get somewhere!
posted by Cordell d. at July 5, 2008 12:22 pm :

Has a date for debate between the candidates in the fourth been announced yet?

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