Newcomers From W-H Object to Treatment at Roosevelt High: 40 Students Say They'Ve Been Harassed; DISD Officials Vow Resolution
Posted on: Thursday, 18 May 2006, 12:04 CDT
By Kent Fischer, The Dallas Morning News
May 18--About 40 students who once went to Wilmer-Hutchins schools walked out of their new Dallas school Wednesday to protest what they say has been a hostile reception.
The students, who now attend DISD's Roosevelt High School, took their complaints to the Dallas district headquarters.
The teens said they've encountered too many fights and too much discord between student groups from Wilmer-Hutchins and DISD. They also said teachers and administrators at Roosevelt treat them unfairly.
"The children want a new and improved Wilmer-Hutchins ISD," said Sharleen Jeanbaptiste, an official with the Liberty Heights Community Center, who spoke for the students.
About 40 students met with district administrators at midday Wednesday to ask that their old school district be restored.
"We're tired of the administration treating us like nothing," said 11th-grader Victoria McDonald.
DISD spokesman Donald Claxton said administrators have heard throughout the year that tension is high among students at Roosevelt. He said officials listened to the students' concerns Wednesday and will work with staff and students to improve relations on campus.
Restoring the soon-to-be-defunct Wilmer-Hutchins ISD isn't likely to happen. In early December, the U.S. Justice Department approved the dissolution of the district, which had been ordered by the state after a series of financial and academic scandals.
Trustees of the Dallas Independent School District voted to take in 1,837 students from Wilmer-Hutchins, but it has not been an easy transition. Early in the school year, DISD reported an increase in student suspensions and attributed the rise, in part, to the influx of hundreds of new students -- including those from Wilmer-Hutchins.
Several of the protesting students complained Wednesday of constant fights and discord between Wilmer-Hutchins students and those from DISD.
"It's troubling that we're still hearing this," Mr. Claxton said. "There will be some frank discussions between the [district] administration and the school."
E-mail kfischer@dallasnews.com
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Source: The Dallas Morning News
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