The Legacy 22515

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EGACY Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow.

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Likely Bedden departure a sore point The words ‘disruption’ and ‘lack of commitment’ have emerged several times in discussions among Richmond Public School stakeholders following news that the school district’s superintendent may be heading to Boston. Dr. Dana Bedden, confirmed by the Richmond School Board in December 2013, emerged as one of four finalists in the search for Boston’s next superintendent. Boston expects to pick a candidate next month. Bedden said last week that he wasn’t looking for a way out of Richmond. He applied to the Boston job after being invited to do so. “Boston is one of the most

innovative urban school systems in America,” he said. “It’s an alpha city.” One Richmond teacher who requested anonymity said she was saddened by the thought of Richmond having to begin a new search for a superintendent, should Bedden prevail in Boston. “I thought we were going to start getting things back on track but here we are, disrupting the education process to build his resume,” said the teacher. Paul Goldman, a local lawyer and Democratic elder, said in published reports that Richmond needs someone who is committed to “sta[ying] the course” for at least

three years. Antione Green, a local education advocate, noted that Bedden’s plan of action to improve city schools and halt declining academic performance may be “years away from producing desired student outcomes for students, parents and taxpayers”. The school system faces various challenges, including budget deficits, and waning graduation rates. “Should he stay to finish the job or head north for greener pastures?” Green posed on social media. Tichi Pinkney Eppes, a Richmond School Board member representing the 9th District, responded that “with or without” Bedden, the school

district’s work will continue. Kimberly Johnson, another concerned party, said it is difficult to foster meaningful progress with such changes. “[The fact that] he did not withdraw his candidacy ... to me shows a lack of true interest or desire to do right by our children,” noted Johnson.” Furthermore, how do you foster a supportive parental and even community effort and ask them to buy into something when you yourself aren’t dedicated to your plan? I say let him go, even if Boston doesn’t pick him, because the die has already been cast; he doesn’t care about me, you or the children.”

A choir with a mission: Children perform in Va. The Watoto Choir braved freezing temperatures last week to perform in Virginia as part of a Portsmouth church’s Black History Month celebration. The internationally acclaimed choir, whose name means “children” in Swahili, were at Grove Church where they charmed the crowd with their riveting storytelling, songs and dance. The Watoto Choir members travel all over the world as advocates for the estimated 50 million children in Africa, orphaned because of HIV/AIDS, war, poverty and disease. Each of the children in the choir has suffered the loss of their parents, through either war or disease. They live in Watoto children’s villages. In 1994, Kampala Pentecostal Church began rescuing orphans. Watoto was born out of the need to place orphaned children into loving families. Through Watoto, these children receive a spiritual awakening, an excellent education and a family.

INSIDE > Losing religion: What does God have to do with it? - 8 | Black History Month: The legacy of Lead Belly - 10


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