From The Herald Sun: Durham school escapes possible state takeover. Parent calls decision ‘a win-win’
The parents and teachers of Glenn Elementary did not want to see their school taken over by a charter operator. The community came together and made a difference for the students of the school. The saving of Glenn Elementary is proof positive that community activism really works.
Over the past several weeks, the Durham community, led by the Durham Association of Educators (DAE), has rallied around Glenn and Lakewood.
Parents, teachers, elected officials and civic organizations have written letters of support to Hall, urging him to allow the two Durham schools to remain under local control.
Tamara Vanie, the mother of two students at Glenn, said community activism and unity paid off for Glenn.
“I am so pumped,” Vanie said. “It shows what a community can do when it comes together.”
Vanie said she spoke with Hall on Tuesday and told him that if Glenn was chosen for the NCISD, parents would not support the school being taken over by a charter school operator.
She believes Glenn was removed from the list because parents were unwilling to compromise.
“All around it’s a win-win,” Vanie said. “We’re going to celebrate today and roll up our sleeves and go back to work tomorrow.”
Glenn Principal Cornelius Redfearn said he and his staff are relieved that Glenn is no longer under consideration for the NCISD.
“Our teachers and staff are very grateful for the support of our community,” Redfearn said in a statement. “We will continue to give our students our all.”
Bryan Proffitt, president of the DAE, said the past three weeks, which included rallies at Glenn and Lakewood and many hours of strategy sessions, show how much Durham loves its public schools.
But now that the fight against a state takeover is over, Proffitt said it’s time to develop a plan to improve academic outcomes at both schools.
“When the community comes together like it has the past few weeks, there’s nothing we can’t fix,” Proffitt said.
