True2, I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I am not in any way interested in serving on the board for the LRSD. This story is just one more example of the ignorance that I see running rampant among many beaurocracies. I believe that if I were to become a part of this board, my frustration would quickly, thoroughly and repeatedly outweigh any effectiveness I might be able to establish. Additionally, the reported vote among racial lines is of particular concern. Many underlying aspects of this story lead me to believe that while skin color might not regularly be the commonality among voting division, this is likely not the first instance of it occurring, nor will it be the last. I fear that I would be labeled as being a traitor against "my people" if I were to ever break racial lines to vote with a perceived enemy.

Next thing you know, the schools will be suing parents who home school their kids. The public schools in this state are not the best by a long shot. Some are very good, but then there are those that are the pits. I think that the public schools need to be looking at what the charter and private schools are doing that makes them so much better, then incorporate that into public schools. But of course with some schools, the board would fight among themselves and never get anything done.

Oh and I am tired of this black and white thing. We are all just people.

We wouldn't need Charter schools if this desergation stuff would stop and all children go to school in the area they live in. The schools that are failing is because of the school officials and parents of students not doing their jobs. If you don't like it make it better and that takes teachers and parents! Stop trying to force students into schools that are not doing well. All races can go to Charter schools. Stop with all this poor me and make your school a place people want to go!

professor cj - would you consider running for the school board. I would vote for you.

How will we ever get past the race issue if everything that comes up turns into a racial issue?

wow... professor cj could not have said it any better

The suit alleges that high-performing students going to charter schools make it difficult to maintain racial balance in the LRSD. Consider two things: 1. There has long been a perception of the LRSD student population being predominantly black. 2. Tonight's broadcast showed a heavy majority of white students attending charter schools. Brett Solomon stated during the broadcast that the board voted along racial lines, 4 black members voting to file suit vs. 3 white members voting not to do so. This gives the perception that the black board members are upset that white students are generally outperforming black students, as evidenced by the easily-drawn conclusion that white students migrating to charter schools are making racial balance difficult to maintain within the LRSD student population. This is an obvious example of what we as black people must become more aware of and must stop doing: We must stop allowing our self-inflicted, self-perpetuating victim mentality to contribute so heavily to the problems of racism and racial division and separation in today's society. This is a case of white students performing better scholastically than our black children, and our black leaders have drawn a great deal of attention to that fact while at the same time resorting to spiteful actions in response. A lawsuit against charter schools does nothing to help solve the root issue. These charter schools are doing nothing wrong by helping outstanding students to thrive at even greater levels. We need to become more involved as parents to help OUR children perform better as students, so that they will also reach those levels.