PA Candidate Meet and Greet and Special Tribute to Becky Heron - Thursday, September 15th
September 02, 2011
PA Redistricting Statement, July 2011
PA Redistricting Statement
The PA Coordinating Committee sent the following statement to the state redistricting committee members. This case will likely end up in court. Our opposition statement, and those that you personally sent, will be in the testimony records.
The Durham People’s Alliance is firmly opposed to the proposed redistricting lines. This is due to the packing of African-American voters, which makes no sense. Durham has a long history of cross-racial voting. Split-precincts, beyond the administrative difficulties and costs, will make it extremely difficult for citizens to know whom they are voting for and to understand who represents them.
Durham voters are a distinct community of interest, and choose to vote on issues rather than race. Take a look at Durham city council, county commission, and our legislative delegation. Historically, Durham voters have chosen representation without bias to race or gender. People’s Alliance is an issue-based community organization, and we feel our current delegation represents our issues, our city, and our constituents very well. If these proposed lines are enacted, voters will be disenfranchised and polarized. The current proposed districts show a misuse and misinterpretation of the Voting Rights Act.
[signed] Durham People’s Alliance Coordinating Committee
The PA Coordinating Committee sent the following statement to the state redistricting committee members. This case will likely end up in court. Our opposition statement, and those that you personally sent, will be in the testimony records.
The Durham People’s Alliance is firmly opposed to the proposed redistricting lines. This is due to the packing of African-American voters, which makes no sense. Durham has a long history of cross-racial voting. Split-precincts, beyond the administrative difficulties and costs, will make it extremely difficult for citizens to know whom they are voting for and to understand who represents them.
Durham voters are a distinct community of interest, and choose to vote on issues rather than race. Take a look at Durham city council, county commission, and our legislative delegation. Historically, Durham voters have chosen representation without bias to race or gender. People’s Alliance is an issue-based community organization, and we feel our current delegation represents our issues, our city, and our constituents very well. If these proposed lines are enacted, voters will be disenfranchised and polarized. The current proposed districts show a misuse and misinterpretation of the Voting Rights Act.
[signed] Durham People’s Alliance Coordinating Committee
August 08, 2011
Education Committee to Host Community Meeting
The People’s Alliance Education Committee is hosting a community meeting with DPS Superintendent Dr. Eric Becoats on Tuesday, August 16th. The Education Committee wants to learn about the new equity allocation plan. This plan is a formula for allocation of resources within DPS.
Here are some items that members of our group would like Dr. Becoats to address:
All are welcome. The meeting will be held at the Stanford Warren Library at 7:00 p.m. on August 16th.
Here are some items that members of our group would like Dr. Becoats to address:
- 1. The “basics” of the allocation plan, including the formula and the kinds of teaching positions that are included in using it; for example, does the formula only allocate core teachers, such as a third grade teacher, or are other positions included?
- 2. What positions are allocated “outside” the formula? For example, how are AIG, ESL, special education, art, music, library, counseling and PE positions allocated?
- 3. We think there is a “supplies” component to the formula. Could you please explain this?
- 4. What effect, if any, does test performance have under this plan?
- 5. What effect, if any, does the General Assembly’s requirement for hiring in K-3 have on this plan? What effect does it have overall for staffing in DPS?
All are welcome. The meeting will be held at the Stanford Warren Library at 7:00 p.m. on August 16th.
August 08, 2011