CAT Tracks for October 16, 2008

Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for October 16, 2008

TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT

Tonight, at 6 p.m., it will be exactly two weeks since Cairo Superintendent of Schools Dr. Leotis D. Swopes used a public forum to defame and slander Cairo (and Meridian) teachers, casting doubt on their ability or willingness to teach black children.

To apparently lend credence and authority to his remarks, Superintendent Swopes closed his remarks by acknowledging the presence of four members of the Cairo Board of Education...indicating that they had attended the joint meeting of the Cairo and Meridian Boards of Education to "show their support".

Folks...those are the FACTS.

What remains unknown is what the four members of the Cairo Board of Education actually felt about the remarks made by Superintendent Swopes...

Were they as surprised as those of us in the audience by Superintendent Swopes' unfounded and unprovoked remarks, caught off guard...in fact, at a loss for words?

Since Superintendent Swopes spoke from a prepared script, did the members of the Cairo Board of Education - present and not - know of his slanderous and inflammatory remarks in advance...and approve same?

To the point, do the members of the Cairo Board of Education - present and not - approve of Superintendent Swopes' characterization of their professional staff, many of whom they have directly hired...many of whom they know personally?

Yes, I have "beaten the drum" on this issue for the past two weeks...because IT IS IMPORTANT.
Proclaiming "a fresh start", proclaiming "we're in this together", proclaiming his full support of education and educators, Cairo Superintendent of Schools Leotis D. Swopes - a little more than a month into the new year - decided to throw his teachers under the school bus.
The teachers of Cairo School District Number One have been wronged. They feel betrayed. Teaching takes a physical and emotional toll...they didn't deserve to have insult added to injury.
TONIGHT, the Cairo Board of Education can take a big step toward healing...restoring faith and trust among its professional staff.
On October, 2008, Leotis Swopes painted himself and the Cairo Board of Education into a corner...all by himself.
TONIGHT, the Cairo Board of Education has a chance to escape that corner.

TONIGHT, the members of the Cairo Board of Education have a chance to speak for themselves...