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REGULAR MEETING <br />MAY 28, 2002 <br />had the privilege of addressing the school board and tonight she would like to share some <br />of the issues she shared with them. Ms. Robinson noted that there seems to be some concern <br />within the community as to what Judge Sharp said at his May 1 st hearing. Ms. Robinson <br />distributed copies of the transcript from that status conference and read several excerpts from <br />the transcript. She noted that one of the concerns that the NAACP has is that the judge has <br />made it clear that his consent order will not be changed and for some reason the school <br />board is acting in contempt of court. She stated that she is not sure what the Council's <br />capacity is or what they can do but she believes it is a tragedy that the school board would <br />go beyond the judge's orders. Ms. Robinson also distributed information from Yonkers, <br />New York indicating that the superintendent was part of a lawsuit in Yonkers where a judge <br />found that officials and educators were liable for racial segregation and housing in schools. <br />She stated that she believes that the same situation exists in South Bend. This action forces <br />the whites to the east end of town where they can afford to live and the blacks to the west end <br />where there is more rental property. The disadvantaged and the minorities are forced to <br />accept something less desirable. She noted that for the record she wanted it known that this <br />information has been shared with the Council in South Bend. <br />Council President Kelly thanked Ms. Robinson for the information and noted that the <br />Council appreciates her providing them with this information. He pointed out, however, that <br />the Council has no influence in terms of what happens with the school corporation or actions <br />taken by the school board. He noted that as anyone in the community, members of the <br />Council have opinions and can personally voice them to the school corporation but they do <br />not have any actual influence. <br />Ms. Linda Hopkins, 1134 Canterbury Drive, South Bend, Indiana, member of the LaSalle <br />Group, informed the Council that she has become personally concerned with the actions of <br />the school board and has done some research. She stated that she feels that some residents <br />of the community are being taken advantage of by the school board and is upset that no <br />leaders are speaking out in their defense. Ms. Hopkins noted that she compared census <br />figures to the demographics of the area and found that the west side is the more <br />economically disadvantaged area of our community with the lowest educational attainment <br />and the highest number of single parent households. They also have the highest minority <br />rates in the community. This data is very detrimental to them with regard to the potential for <br />drop out rates. She noted that she has sent letters and e -mails and all of the responses that <br />she has received reiterated the words of Council President Kelly in that although some <br />people may feel sympathetic to the cause there is nothing that they can do. Ms. Hopkins <br />stated that someone somewhere must have the ability to speak out in favor of what is right <br />whether they have the legislative responsibility to do anything about it or not. This action <br />is morally wrong and it is very detrimental to the at risk students. The bridge between <br />poverty and wealth is education and the actions of the school board is removing that bridge <br />for many of the members of the community and everyone should be concerned. <br />ADJOURNMENT <br />There being no further business to come before the Council, President Kelly adjourned the meeting <br />at 7:47 p.m. <br />ATTEST: <br />Loretta J. Du a City 9erk <br />-15- <br />ATTEST: <br />Roland Kelly, President <br />