Stuarts Draft freshman: 'We walk in fear'

A Stuarts Draft High freshman and her mother told the Augusta County School Board on Thursday night that they want a stronger commitment to black history in the classroom, and they also spoke of African-American students being mocked by white students and called names.

Donna Lawson-Meadows, mother of student Denai Lawson, said children in the county schools are not learning about black history. She also said there is a lack of awareness about diseases that plague African-Americans, such as sickle cell anemia and scoliosis.

She said there should be a greater commitment to a black history curriculum. Lawson-Meadows also said her daughter and other African-American students are called insulting racial names and have been mocked as “gorillas.”

Denai Lawson told the School Board, “We walk in fear.”

She said she does not like being in an environment where the N-word is used. She said the faculty and staff at Stuarts Draft are not doing anything to make African-American students feel they are safe.

Augusta County schools Superintendent Chuck Bishop said history courses and textbooks offered in the locality “speak to the contributions of African-Americans.”

However, he noted, “Could we do more? Yes.”

As for the charges of mocking and intimidating behavior offered by Denai Lawson and her mother, Bishop said bullying and intimidating behavior should always be reported to someone in authority, whether it be a teacher, assistant principal or principal.

Also Thursday night, School Board members received a promise from a newly formed coalition to help them in their fight for more dollars in next year’s schools budget.

Jenny Hildebrand, one of the organizers of the Coalition to Support Our Schools, told the School Board that the organization’s goal is to obtain added revenue for county education.

Hildebrand said Augusta’s 48 cents per $100 tax rate is the lowest in the region, and she spoke of how an increase in the rate of 10 cents would not have a major impact on taxpayers but would help to fund schools.

Hildebrand said the coalition will attend budget meetings and take the message to a more grassroots level, including speaking to neighbors.

In a release announcing the start of the group, members said they will try to convince the county Board of Supervisors to increase funding for schools.

During a joint meeting of the School Board and supervisors Wednesday, supervisors reached a consensus to help offset more than $1.1 million in state revenue Augusta County won’t receive this year based on a funding formula change.

Additionally, though, the county schools are looking at a $3.1 million increase in Virginia Retirement System and group life insurance costs in next year’s budget.

The superintendent offered three tiers of potential cuts to School Board members Thursday to help balance a $3.4 million shortfall.

The third tier of potential cuts include closing Craigsville Elementary. Two speakers who attended Thursday’s meeting urged the board not to close Craigsville.

Board member David Shiflett asked the audience to contact Augusta supervisors and tell them about the budget emergency, and that the School Board needs $3.4 million.

“They need to hear from the citizens, and they need to be nudged,” Shiflett said.