An astute reader forwarded by mail an excerpt from an Eastern Shore Post story by Stefanie Jackson on the school board debate over extending (or keeping) the extra 45 minutes to the school day. Here is the highlighted excerpt sent by the reader:
Okay then, at least we know how the Superintendent really feels about the county. So, not only are the neighborhoods dangerous, and may contain a felon or pedophile or two, but they are actually “filled” with them.
After laughing for twenty minutes, I had to go full stop–realizing this is not meant as a joke. Not sure exactly what keeping them an extra forty-five minutes will do if you we’re still sending them back neighborhoods festering with felons and pedophiles.
It does put the idea of keeping the kids for extra time in perspective. The K-12 system may be in big trouble, but it’s not because of felons and pedophiles. The real problem is the bias and bigotry ingrained in Northampton schools. Eddie Lawrence’s statement says it all.
Any kid fighting their way through the school institution will tell you they get this all the time. This kind of bias, even if unconscious, perpetuates socio-economic, gender (mainly against boys), and racial gaps in educational outcomes. We find lower success rates such as academic performance, engagement with school, and college enrollment, particularly among historically disadvantaged and underrepresented groups such as low-income and racial-minority students. You know, the ones that have to go home to a felon or pedophile.
Most educators would not consider themselves racist or biased, but teacher authority and compliance are ingrained in classroom practice and that bias can dictate how
Much of what we see in our schools make them seem more like prisons than holistic learning spheres. Obedience and authority are elements of prison society, and a good many teachers that many of us survive have more in common with prison guards than the Robin Williams character in Dead Poet Society. We are preparing “good” students, those from wealth and stability for their role in society while preparing everyone else, from the perceived wrong side of the tracks, for prison.
Anonymous says
What is sad about this comment is that the Superintendent made the comment during a school board meeting and no school board members asked for an explanation or were outraged. In fact, the comment was ignored and it was business as usual. What astounds me even more is that there wasn’t any public outcry. There were a few “gasps” but people went about their business instead of demanding the resignation of every board member starting with the Superintendent. What does that say about our community as a whole?
Our community is filled not with felons and pediophiles but with “apathetic” people . There are a few who involve themselves and work to better Northampton County and the schools, but as a whole, our community simply doesn’t care. That was evidenced by the lack of outrage from the remark made from the leader of our school system.
Leaves one scratching their head and asking themselves would I rather live in a community that is perceived as “filled” with felons and pediophiles or apathetic members?
Jack Trump says
I’m not going to take sides on this one. Not yet. Our Eastern Shore is a complicated and unique place. We do not have enough jobs. Especially good and well paying jobs. We all know that. So we all also know this may very well lead to poverty and crimes, or apathy and substance abuse problems. We all know Our Shore is a depressed area. MAYBE we do have more felons per capita than many other areas. We all know recidivism exists, and some criminals just haven’t been caught yet but are up to the same ol same ol prior to getting caught again. Perhaps this comment by The Superintendent is accurate ? And that’s why no members attending were outraged ? I don’t know the stats. Perhaps the Super does ? Does anyone reading here know ? I am not that good at researching and wouldn’t be able to get the answer. Can someone find out how many felons/pedophiles we have ? Is it more per capita than normal ? So is it accurate that some neighborhoods aren’t safe ?
I’m HOPING this super is not making an emotion based statement, or fear based attention grabbing, but instead one from inside information that the rest of us have not seen. When we see the stats we may thank the super for informing us all.
I don’t know about everyone else, but I can be just as shocked, or more so, by schools not reporting, like the recent hidden school safety threat up the road. Just how much did parents like that ?
Can someone get felons/pedophiles stats please and then we can follow up on this.
Anonymous says
pedophile register northampton county virginia
The number might surprise.
Avery says
According to here: https://www.homefacts.com/offenders/Virginia/Northampton-County.html
We have 34 registered pedophiles in Northampton County.
According to here: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/northamptoncountyvirginia
We have approximately 11,800 ppl in this county.
So that’s roughly .2% of our beautiful counties population. I can’t seem to find statistics on registered felons, so as another citizen of this county who sent their children to this school system, I ask, to whom is he referring?
Maybe the community needs a wake up call. Perhaps because the school board has not publically addressed the issue, they believe it to be true, as well? I’m wondering if our esteemed Boars of Supervisors will be addressing the issue? Not good PR for a county that is on HGTV a lot lately and trying to gain a stronger tax base and raise property values.
Shameful. Embarrassing. Pathetic. Board of Supervisors – do your job.
Anonymous says
You can find sex offenders on the Virginia State police website. Regarding felon status, check with Virginia Parole/probation, I believe there is an office in Accomac county. Hope that helps.
Regarding the superintendents comment, I am sure they are validated or they would not have been mentioned.
Regarding the other comments and they always seem to end up being some type of racial divide propaganda, further eluding to socioeconomic disarray of various sorts. This is a unique area due to inadequate job growth, but I have a solution. It’s called Jojn the military, serve your country, bring patriotism to your homes, schools, and community! Be proud your self for taking initiative to serve in the armed forces of the greatest country in the world!
Jean Hogge says
I think local real estate agents and folks selling homes should be pretty upset about comments like this that pop up in people’s google news feed. I am aghast that any school administration member would make such a disgusting comment about the local populace. Really disgusting behavior-
Jack Trump says
Okay, well I see follow up comments that suggest places to get stats. I see they are having the same problem that I am having. Stats on felons seem to be very hidden or non-existent, and let’s not forget that the governor recently changed thresholds for what’s a felony, and what’s a misdemeanor. So how does that affect the number ?
Okay, so how do we interpret the stats ?
Now, I’ll accept the number that we have (as of 2017) approx. 11,846 people in the county. I don’t think all should be considered a potential part of this problem. 52% are women, and 25% are below age 5 or are senior citizens. So the target population of potential problems may be closer to 4,450 ? Just going by stats, and trying to read into them. I am not arguing w/anyone.
And then, just to be specific, I still see no stats on pedophiles specifically. Sex offender is a very different category from pedophile. Again, no argument. I’m just trying to discuss, find, and display facts.
Looking at what has come out, I do now have to say the comments by the super were very much off base, are very negative, and never should have been stated. Sadly, presuming the super meant it, that means we have a negative thinking super. Or do we have an alarmist super ? Or do we have a super who sells fear ?I have already prior stated, anger and negativity accomplish nothing positive. I’m not hearing or seeing anything good here. Me ? I don’t want such irresponsibly stated fear/anger/negativity in any business, much less leading teachers and children.
You want to keep 45 minutes of school time in place ? Fine. Excellent. Make better children of our children and lead them to a brighter future and make a case for that. GREAT. It just doesn’t sound to me like a proper case was made.
Anonymous says
This is not a Board of Supervisors responsibility. They did not hire the school superintendent. Make sure you understand the chain of command for School System and County. The elected School Board is mostly autonomous, save their requirement to obtain funding for their budget from the Board of Supervisors.