Jefferson Principal to Oregon Assembly for Black Affairs: "Black Kids are Different"

The following is a letter from Lynn Schore to Jefferson High School principal Cynthia Harris regarding their exchange at an Oregon Assembly for Black Affairs meeting Saturday.

September 17, 2007

Dear Dr. Harris:

I attended the public Oregon Assembly for Black Affairs (OABA) meeting on 9/15/07 at AME Zion Church. I have been an OABA member, as well as a Jefferson High School PTSA member and volunteer, for three years. The Saturday OABA meeting was described as a chance to get to hear the opinions of key PPS administrators on schools issues, and to ask questions.

The meeting was attended by PPS administrators Leslie Rennie-Hill, Willie Poinsette, Judy Elliott, Cynthia Harris, and Barbara Adams. Other people present included OABA president Calvin Henry, Ms. M. Henry, Ms. Lulu R. Stroud-Johnson, Mr. Sam Jackson, Ms. Loretta Smith, Mr. Robert Phillips, Ms. Nicole Breedlove, "in-house Oregonian reporter on contract at Jefferson High School" Kimberly Melton, myself and others. Arriving later were Sheila Warren and Colleen Davis.

Dr. Harris, I am offended by statements you made at this meeting. Your initial speech referred to the possibility in the near future of an open campus policy only for senior students at Jefferson High. In the question and answer period, I asked you when the community would have a final answer to the issue of the open campus policy for Jefferson seniors. I noted the inequities faced by Jefferson and Roosevelt students in regard to the open campus policy (majority white high school campuses are already open for juniors and seniors). You stated that you would need to have "additional conversations with students" at Jefferson, and that you would answer the students' questions, but not mine. You stated that you would not answer my question because I was not African American and you believe I am not part of the Jefferson school community.

Your refusal to answer my question on the basis of my race is discriminatory. Your statement that "Black kids are different" is also improper under PPS's non-discrimination policy. When you repeatedly categorize "Black and Brown students" as if they behave in ways different from other PPS students, you are stereotyping students based on their race, and that is discriminatory.

Because you are relatively new to Portland and Jefferson High School, you may not realize the level of student enrichment activities (unsupported by PPS) that the community provides to backfill PPS's lack of programs, equitable curriculum and enrichment for our students at Jefferson. My husband and I, and the neighborhood groups we work with, are motivated to end discrimination in PPS. We are deeply concerned about the inequities and discrimination faced by Jefferson area students, families and teachers, and our concerns motivated us to join OABA and Jefferson High School PTSA.

At the OABA meeting, PPS's own Director of High Schools, Leslie Rennie-Hill, stated that "many Black and Brown students in PPS are achieving, but that is not thanks to PPS, that is because of their own resilience." I appreciate Ms. Rennie-Hill forthrightness for admitting that PPS provides an inequitable and substandard education for non-white students. Rennie-Hill also stated that we seem to keep having the same conversation, and that when Jefferson High students have successes, the District takes the credit, but when the school has controversies, the District blames students, parents and community.

Dr. Harris, at the OABA meeting you stated (paraphrasing): "We need Black people to clean house at Jefferson, not white outsiders seeking glory for themselves." It is Portland Public Schools administration that needs to clean its house – of discrimination, inequity, and inadequate curriculum. Are you saying that all the non-Black families in Jefferson cluster have no say and no stake in their neighborhood high school? What about all the non African-American students at Jefferson, are they not welcome? What about families like mine, with "white" parents and "non-white" children? PPS officials often complain about lack of parental involvement, particularly at Jefferson. Are we now going to limit parental involvement at Jefferson High School based on race?

With your comments about Jefferson students and myself at the OABA meeting, you attempted several times to make me feel isolated from the Jefferson community, ostracized from OABA, and invalidated as an individual. I do care very deeply about all Jefferson students, and anyone who knows me knows that. I am used to PPS officials obfuscating and giving convoluted answers to my questions, but your approach of denying me answers based on my race is discriminatory.

The irony of your actions is that the last person who made gross assumptions about me and my family was former Jefferson Principal Leon Dudley one year ago. While Mr. Dudley sat directly next to you at the head of the table at the first meeting of Jefferson PTSA in September 2006, I asked a question about the lack of an open campus policy for Jefferson juniors and seniors, and brought up the inequity of the situation
city-wide. Mr. Dudley asked me "Is your skin Black?" and demanded me to "roll up your sleeves and show me!" I did not follow up on Mr. Dudley's inappropriate comments last year, but I should have. As his superior at that time, you said nothing. I believe you should have taken prompt action against Mr. Dudley for those statements.

You are accountable to all PPS students and parents, not just those in the Jefferson attendance area. Taxpayers, citizens and parents in this District should automatically warrant your respect, and you should validate their concerns. Until PPS Principals and district staff understand this, we will never have a functional, equitable school system.

If your goal is to shut down parent and community involvement at Jefferson, it is working. Unfortunately, this incident at OABA is not an isolated one. Jefferson High School site council member Steve Kayfes resigned because of similar inappropriate remarks, made when you were present.

If a Black parent went to a meeting at Lincoln High School and asked about the school policy regarding open campus, and the parent was told by the white Lincoln High School Principal that they were not allowed an answer because of the color of their skin, that Principal would be reprimanded, if not terminated.

You are creating a hostile environment at Jefferson for parents and families of every race and nationality – many of whom have been long time, dedicated Jefferson volunteers. Currently, many parents and students of all ethnicities do not feel welcome at Jefferson High School, because the current school climate does not welcome community and parent involvement. Your stereotyping "Black and Brown kids" and refusing to address my questions at OABA on the basis of my race does not help Jefferson students.

I am copying the Superintendent, School Board and district staff on this letter. I hope they take the appropriate steps as a result of these discriminatory actions that violate district policy. Your refusal to provide answers to questions based on my race is not right. PPS and school districts across this country are trying to find ways to increase parent and community involvement in schools. Now it seems as if PPS is willing to limit parental involvement based on race.

Very truly yours,

Lynn S. Schore
OABA member
Jefferson High School PTSA member
Neighborhood Schools Alliance Steering Committee

Cc: Superintendent
School Board
Calvin Henry, President, OABA
OABA membership
Jefferson High School PTSA
Neighborhood Schools Alliance
Barbara Adams
Leslie Rennie-Hill
Willie Poinsette
Judy Elliott
Steve Kayfes
Nicole Breedlove