Letter to the Editor: Barresi's loss
BY Matt Davis, Tulsa
Sunday, November 04, 2012
11/04/12 at 3:09 AM
Imagine, if you will, a child who has to work really hard to excel in school. These children stay after school every day, study all weekend long, do extra credit and always listen attentively in class. Late last month, they were handed a "D" for their efforts; basically told they were a failure.
Now imagine that the child is Celia Clinton Elementary School in north Tulsa. The Rotary Club of Tulsa has put thousands and thousands of hours into Celia Clinton, mentoring students, building an addition to the school, working with dedicated teachers and an outstanding principal for the betterment and welfare of every student enrolled at the school.
Late last month, state Superintendent Janet Barresi and her State Board of Education gave Celia Clinton a "D" for all of its efforts - demoralizing teachers, administrators, students and even volunteers.
Shame on you, Janet Barresi and the Oklahoma State Board of Education. We are in the business of encouraging and motivating students and teachers and you should be in the same business. Had you bothered to walk the spotless halls of Celia Clinton, you would have seen students politely and quietly lining up in the halls between classes, proud of their school and eager to learn. You would have seen a portrait on the wall of Mike Chittom, a Rotary volunteer who gave a huge part of his life to seeing that these kids get a better chance. But you cannot see any of that from the ivory towers in Oklahoma City or the statistics in front of your calculator.
It's your loss, not ours.
Editor's note: Davis is a past president of The Rotary Club of Tulsa.
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