Update: At the community forum held Tuesday night, the Concordia Parish School Board unanimously voted down the proposed changes from the US Dept of Justice which would merge schools and change attendance zones. The board also unanimously voted to enter into a cooperative endeavor with the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office in which the LA AG will represent the Concordia Parish School Board, without charge, in the continuing desegregation suit. Both votes came after numerous comments from the public and a speech from Deputy Solicitor General Morgan Brunard with the LA AG, who urged the board to not accept the DOJ’s proposal.
The Concordia Parish School Board will host a community forum tonight, December 17, 2024, at 6:00 PM at the Vidalia Convention Center to discuss a proposed consent order that could resolve the parish’s decades-long desegregation case.
The desegregation lawsuit, filed in 1965, challenged the operation of racially segregated schools in Concordia Parish. While significant progress has been made, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) believes that further steps are required to achieve full compliance with desegregation mandates. If accepted and implemented, the proposed consent order would allow the School Board to petition the Court for dismissal of the case after three years.
What’s at Stake
The proposed consent order outlines substantial changes to the Concordia Parish school system, including:
- Pairing Schools in Vidalia and Ferriday:
- Kindergarten through 2nd grade at Vidalia Upper Elementary
- 3rd through 5th grade at Ferriday Upper Elementary
- 6th through 8th grade at Ferriday Junior High
- Attendance Zone Modifications for High Schools: Boundaries would be redrawn, affecting Vidalia High, Ferriday High, and Monterey High students.
- Transfer Policies: Revised guidelines for student transfers, including the continuation of the Majority-to-Minority transfer program, which allows students to transfer to schools where their race is in the minority.
- Faculty and Staff Assignments: Efforts to achieve a balance in teacher diversity and qualifications across all schools.
- Facilities and Operations: Addressing school maintenance to ensure equitable conditions across campuses.
Community Concerns and Input
The proposed changes have sparked significant discussion and concern among community members, particularly regarding attendance zones and school pairings. The School Board emphasizes that this forum is an opportunity for the public to learn more about the proposal and share their opinions directly with Board members.
The forum will include a presentation on the consent order and its potential impacts, followed by an opportunity for public comment.
Court-Ordered Deadline
The School Board must vote on the proposal before December 31, 2024, as ordered by the Court. Tonight’s forum is an essential step in gathering feedback before that decision is made.
Attend or Watch Online
The forum will take place at:
Vidalia Convention Center
Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 6:00 PM
For those unable to attend in person, the forum will be live-streamed
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