CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY FEBRUARY 5, 2018
THE HEMPSTEAD SCHOOL DISTRICT IN NASSAU COUNTY ON LONG ISLAND HAS BEEN FAILING ITS BLACK AND HISPANIC CHILDREN FOR 30 YEARS. THAT’S RIGHT, 30 YEARS.
THE NEW YORK TIMES REPORTS THAT DURING MOST OF THAT TIME THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS BEEN AT WAR WITH ITSELF. WHILE THEY FOUGHT, TEST SCORES AND GRADES HAVE BEEN AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE STATE. SCHOOL BUILDINGS HAVE DETERIORATED SO MUCH THAT THEY CLOSED. STUDENTS HAD TO GO TO SCHOOL IN TRAILERS.
THROW IN MISMANAGEMENT, MALFEASANCE AND CORRUPTION, NOT TO MENTION INCOMPETENCE, AND YOU HAVE A PROFILE IN DYSFUNCTION THAT HAS ROBBED CHILDREN OF THEIR RIGHT TO A DECENT EDUCATION.
THE STATE BOARD GAVE THE DISTRICT UNTIL LAST FRIDAY TO COME UP WITH A VIABLE PLAN TO FIX ITS PROBLEMS BUT DIDN’T SAY WHAT THEY WOULD DO IF ONE IS NOT FORTHCOMING. HERE’S WHAT THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD DO: OFFER SCHOOL CHOICE TO THE PARENTS AND KIDS. THE DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR WOULD NEVER SIGN SUCH A BILL BECAUSE HE, LIKE MOST DEMOCRATS, DOES THE BIDDING OF THE TEACHERS UNIONS.
REPUBLICANS SHOULD MAKE THIS A CAMPAIGN ISSUE. IT IS THE ULTIMATE IN RACISM TO DENY THESE KIDS A QUALITY EDUCATION. I’M CAL THOMAS IN WASHINGTON.
