NAACP MEMBERS SUPPORT SCHOOL ISSUES

Members of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People want the record to show not all members oppose the upcoming school bond issue.

About 15 individuals -- many of whom have ties to the educational arena -- said they were unaware the civil rights group was planning to oppose the bond issue, which would provide funding for numerous changes within the public school district.

There are more than 100 members in the Cape Girardeau chapter of the organization.

"Speaking as a paid-up member of the NAACP, I don't support that decision," said Rev. William Bird. He said he didn't believe the decision corresponded with the national president's vision for education.

Local president Michael Sterling said the decision to oppose the issue was voted on during the March 7 executive committee meeting. The committee, he said, consists of 16 standing committee chairpersons and four executive officers, and is the policy-making vehicle of the organization.

However, William Penn, NAACP director of branches, said all chapter policies are made after a vote by the general membership of the organization.

None of those opposing the decision were present at the March 14 general membership meeting when Sterling revealed the policy to oppose the bond issue. All said they were active members and would not have supported the decision.

"I feel there should be equal learning environments and they should be conducive," said Debra Mitchell-Braxton. "The teacher issue is important, but that's a whole other issue. I'm worried first and foremost about getting these kids into good and safe learning environments."

Sterling said one of the reasons for the decision to oppose the bond issue was the proposed closing of May Greene and Washington elementary schools. Both have larger minority populations that would feel alienated if their schools were closed, he said, and money would be better spent by renovating the schools.

Costella Patterson said renovation was not a viable option for many of the district's schools. She supports the bond issue because she said the old buildings were safety hazards and were uncomfortable for students and teachers.

"You can spend a million dollars and it will still be an old building," she said.

Sterling said he believed the majority of the general membership supported the decision. He said attitudes needed to be changed in the district, and that would only happen by decisions such as this one.

"There are some who don't agree, but I think you'll find these are the members who are not really active," he said.