THE WAY TO RIGHT WRONGS,
IS TO TURN THE LIGHT OF TRUTH
UPON THEM
-IDA B. WELLS
WATCH THE DOCUMENTARY
#ACTION4ASHLEY
#ACTION4EQUITY
TIMELINE JOURNEY
2019
School board implemented some ideas:
Ex. racial equity training and the creation of new committee for climate, culture, & equity
$350 Bond to include design work
The $350 bond included money for Ashley, but only for design work
WS city council recommend the sale of city land:
The Finance Committee of WS city council recommend the sale of about 5 acres of city land for a new Ashley Deal: city would sell WSFC schools 18 surplus property for $207,076
-Schools have offered to buy the HAWS tracts for $350,000
A4E filed a complaint with the OCR
The OCR has officially opened an investigation into the complaint for discriminating against students
State representative filed two local bills H518 & H490, H518 & H490 attempts to strip the school board of their lawful authority of our student assignment
The housing authority applied twice and failed:
to secure a $30 million choice neighborhood improvement grant & plans to submit a third application
2018
Official Complaint filed
A4A coalition filed an official complaint with the US Department of Education
Action4Ashley to Action4Equity
Action4Equity created, changed name from A4A to A4E because equity is the main focus
Air Conditioner + Roofing Problems Addressed
School officials said they already took action by replacing air conditioning system and addressing roof issues that were causing moisture problems
$1.2 Million in Maintenance Work Approved
School board eventually approved $1.2 million in maintenance work. Response was slow and inadequate (Alfred Harvey, president of the 14th street Elementary School Alumni Association)
Lawsuit Filed-Racial Discrimination
A lawsuit filed against NC school system & it's board of education, " elementary school in need of repairs was discriminated against because of race
Can 2016 Money Be Reallocated?
A4A ask that money from 2016 be relocated toward a new Ashley Academy- asking that the board of education reach out to the county commissioner
Teachers Become Vocal + Show up
Teachers became very vocal and showed up at the school board meetings
First Time Ever-All Female School Board
All female school board elected & led by an African American woman
2017
Teachers Complain About Ashley Elementary
A group of teachers complained to school system officials about Ashley Elementary
Significantly Economically Disadvantaged
81.5% of Ashley Elementary were considered economically disadvantaged, compared to 44.3% across the state
Least Experienced Teachers
37.1% of teachers at the school had a 10 years or more experience, compared to 55.8% in the district
Health Problems Due To Poor Air Quality
Complaint stated that School District should provide compensatory education services to students who missed school due to health problems due to poor air quality
2016
Bond Passed To build New School
Bond passed in 2016 WSFC schools has enough funding to build a new school and bus students to alternative sites
Ashley Cut From Bond
Ashley was cut from the proposed list of bond projects
Voters Approved A bond
Voters approved a bond for $350,000,000. List included: new schools, replacing schools, renovations & student safety and transportation improvement
Bond Package Trimmed
School board trimmed the bond package & went against voters. Trimmed down to $325.8 million
2015
Build $15.4 Million New Lowrance Middle
School District took swift action to handle air quality issue at Hanes & Lowrance middle school WSFC schools plans to build a new $15.4 million school to replace the aging Lowrance
Ashley Was Slated For Replacement