CHOOSING INTEGRATION
“Unfortunately, the main barrier to a county-wide merger is politics.”
– Superintendent Ben Polito
I emailed Erie City District Superintendent Ben Polito about merging districts. He replied with a wonderful email detailing the many benefits of merging, but also the political barriers to the plan: namely opposition from politicians, teacher’s unions, and suburban parents.
His conclusion was decidedly un-cheery
Although I believe consolidating to a county-wide system is in the best interest of all students, due to the challenges, I do not believe it is politically feasible at this time. Real consolidation efforts will only happen if it’s legislatively mandated in Harrisburg. Unfortunately, I don’t see that happening any time soon…
Superintendent Brian Polito might think the only hope for consolidation lies in action by the state government, but I think the first steps towards integration could be made by individuals.
Families Choosing Integration is an advocacy group for parents who support integrated schools. Many of the parents in this organization are choosing to live in school districts that are more impoverished for ethical and pragmatic reasons. Ethically, they see an issue with choosing to send their kids to majority white, upper-class schools that are well funded, while impoverished parents are forced to send their kids to underfunded schools. Parents do not want to take part in this inequality and defacto-segregation. But sending upper-class kids to impoverished schools has real benefits to the kids. Exposure to diversity not only leads to more open minded kids, but also benefits cognitive development and problem solving skills. These parents are making a bet that attending impoverished schools that have more diversity will benefit their kids more than going to well funded, homogeneous suburban schools.
But if you are not a parent, you can still impact integration in Erie.
Education is not always seen as a “voting issue,” but it is certainly on politician’s radars. Kristy Gnibus, who is running for State Representative against Rep. Mike Kelly next year, has already expressed support for school equality. If she receives a few more emails and letters about inequality in Erie education, it might push her to adopt a strong stance on education — forcing Mike Kelly to do the same.
However, national representatives have much less power (in this case) then school boards. School boards have unilateral power over mergers and many other issues concerning school districts. Members of school board are supposed to work for the best possible education for all students. They are elected officials, and if you live in their district, you have every right to ask for their opinion on integration (and any other education issue you care about). They will likely reply to your email personally, because they get so few emails from constituents.
The most valuable thing you can do is simply remember the inequities within American society that may not effect you. The worst thing about segregation and underfunding in Erie’s schools (and American schools in general) is that the kids most likely to have power in the future are those least likely to go to school with impoverished and marginalized students. Erie High has the highest level of poverty in Erie County, it also has the lowest graduation rate and percent of students who go on to college. By grouping Erie’s most vulnerable students in the same schools, Erie hides the injustice within our education system and society. It is easy to forget about about injustice that is hidden. Don’t forget. Remember when you have power and education and can make choices that make a difference to people’s lives. There are incredible numbers of kids in our city and our country who stepped into kindergarten with disadvantages our system only made worse.
