School That Sent Two Presidential Scholars To an HBCU Is Under Attack: What Are YOU Going To Do?
|
|
|
Posted By: Samuel Burnham on May 07, 2010 This is a chance for alunmi of HBCU's across the country...and espeically on this website...to prove they are more interested than mimicing Euro-Americans and/or just interested about entertainment news! These are our children. What are YOU going to do to help them, so we can help our community, including HBCUs... Respect, ---------------------------------------------------- The South Florida Times Charter school fights to stay open Written by DAPHNE TAYLOR One week after President Barack Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation recognizing May 2 – May 8 as National Charter Schools Week, the only African– centered public school in the state of Florida – a charter school — is in a battle for its life. Joseph Littles–Nguzo Saba Charter School, located in Riviera Beach, just outside West Palm Beach, is fighting to retain its charter. In a school board meeting set for May 12, Art Johnson, superintendent of the School District of Palm Beach County, is set to recommend to the school board that the school’s charter be terminated, effective June 30. An informal hearing is set for May 12 as well, prior to the official school board meeting. The district initially notified the school in February of the superintendent’s intentions, but recently sent the school’s attorney an amended notification, further expounding on his grounds for termination. Although the recent letter is more expansive, in both letters, the superintendent cites the school’s financial troubles and its failure to meet academic standards as the reason he wants to revoke the charter. Amefika Geuka, founder of the school, saod he hopes the community will show its support. “A best-case scenario is that we have a massive show of support for this school and what this school is attempting to do for black children. We do want a show of support at the hearing. I mean massive,” Geuka said. The hearing is set for Wednesday, May 12 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. And although supporters will not be allowed to speak during the hearing, they can sign up to speak at the official school board meeting later that afternoon. “It would certainly help if we had a substantial turn out, willing to express support for our school and its mission and purpose,” he added. Many supporters say they believe the school district should have a vested interest in keeping the school afloat. “Ours is the only African-centered public school in the state of Florida. Why would you want to close the only public school in the state that has an opportunity to address these children on their own terms?” Geuka said. He said he has been told the superintendent wants to terminate the charter because the school is in financial distress, it owes debts, and it has not met academic goals. The school has been given a “D” grade consistently since 2004. Geuka admits the school has financial woes and is in debt, however, he states that he, his wife, and the school’s principal, have all utilized their own personal funds to keep the school afloat. “We have pointed out, that if you analyze what we’ve been doing with the student demographic that we get, the “D” that we get with those children is fully equal to a “B” or an “A” at other schools,” Geuka explained. He says 90 percent of the student population is considered intellectually unteachable or has behavioral problems. “Add to that, we’re under-resourced, inadequately housed – so if we can take these children – under these circumstances, and not get an “F,” it’s a miracle,” he said. Principal Delores Smart said the school accepts many students who have been forced to leave the regular schools. For many, Nguzo Saba is their final hope. Geuka says he doesn’t make excuses for their predicament, but he wants the district to recognize the school’s successes. The 11-year-old K-8 school follows the curriculum of the school district, but infuses African-centered studies. Louis Jean Baptiste, a first-generation Haitian-American, says he was a “problem child” until he enrolled there. He became a student leader and went on to graduate from high school in three years. He is now an honors student at Florida A & M University with a 3.8 GPA. Parent Tange Henry said that since enrolling her children at the school, for the first time ever, her first-grader and sixth-grader come home eager to do homework. “I’ve never seen that in my children before. He (the superintendent) needs to take a better look at what this school does for children. They do so much for the kids.” Henry said she will be at the school board meeting on May 12 to vouch for the school. Geuka said there’s a bigger issue at stake, and that is one of black people supporting black schools – financially or otherwise. “The only thing that stops our black schools from being exemplary or outstanding is that we don’t get the best of our own children – whether it’s in sports or athletics or in academics,” he says. He enrolled his own child in the school because he wanted to set an example that he wanted students from intact families and where education is a priority, to also enroll in the school. His son is now a presidential honors student at FAMU. As for the future of the school, Geuka says this situation does not signal the end. “We’re not about to roll over and play dead, no matter what decision the school board makes May 12th,” said Geuka. He said the school is prepared to take legal recourse if necessary. DaphneTaylor_49@Hotmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Samuel Burnham
Associate, Chosen Agency Florida A&M University class of 2003 Member Since February 2009 |
Comments
|
(The WHIRLWIND) They are our children: "Our brother, Amefika Geuka, has been fighting for this school for years now, a school that provided 25 families with incomes from the payroll each month. He founded the school and walked more than 1,000 miles on behalf of the school as well as the FACT that Black folks have the primary responsibility to educate our children and, as the mantra goes, "Leave no child behind" not even those who have been adjudicated by the system as "incorrigible, " as I was as a teenager, or uneducable, or too disruptive, or whatever "AD" they want to use to describe our youth. Read this article and make a comment of you choice - and then check out what is happening in your community with Black children, and get involved.".. .Baba James Clingman Wednesday, May 12th 2010 at 12:42PM |
 |
The problem with this school, is its African centered, I support African centered schools, but this system we live under knows our African heritage is of value to us and thus IMO its a threat to this system. Its so many young black men who would love to teach at a school like that.
Wednesday, May 12th 2010 at 7:16PM |
|
Greetings, brother Allen. We Black folk have proven that we can support what we prioritize. If we put more emphasis on this than T.I. going to jail, who's the latest in info-tainment, etc. the school would litterally be saved overnight. A matter of fact, if just 5% of the people who had acess to this article would contribute $5.00 and/or it's montetary equivlent in work, we'd be over the hum overnight! The best we can do is two things: 1. Communicate with the school board and tell them not to close the school 2. contribtue finanically or materially (espeically with good students) for the school. We can win this if we dig in and fight. respect, Sam Wednesday, May 12th 2010 at 7:48PM |
More From This Author
Latest Blogs
 |
FREE Valentine's Day E-Cards Available! ♥️Happy Valentine's Day! ♥️
♥️ Free Valentine's Day E-Cards Link: https://www.pinterest.com/shykerialifleur/valentines-day-greetings
♥️ What to Write In Va ...more
Shykeria Lifleur • 130 Views • February 11th, 2026 |
 |
BLACK OWNED BEAUTY SUPPLY ASSOCIATION (BOBSA) AND JUNIQUES AD SERVICE CREATES DFY 30 SEC DISTRIBUTION SERVICEANNOUNCEMENT
Juniques Ad Service, a proud Juniques Company, is excited to share a powerful new collaboration with the Black Owned Beauty Supply Organization. Through this collaboration, members and s ...more
rickey johnson • 106 Views • February 11th, 2026 |
 |
MEDIA ALERT! USA -Call for Submissions- Gumbo for the Soul: Women of Honor with PowerMEDIA ALERT! USA
-Call for Submissions-
Gumbo for the Soul: Women of Honor with Power is currently under development by the visionary team of Gumbo for the Soul International®.
This a ...more
Beverly Johnson • 109 Views • February 10th, 2026 |
 |
Keeping the Faith!!!! 10 Videos, MindMap, CheetSheet, and so much more to discuss FAITH!!!!https://learners.juniquesadservice.com/courses/offers/21e32619-5774-44e2-93d9-a3df7d93a778
Welcome to the course for You!!! Keep The Faith
Video 0- Introduction
Video 1 Why Faith is So Import ...more
rickey johnson • 283 Views • February 9th, 2026 |
 |
RON CARTER & RICKY DILLARD Is Taking Church To The Jazz Club With New Single "Open My Eyes"@RONCARTER #RONCARTER@RICKYDILLARD #RICKYDILLARDLegendary in the genres of Jazz and Gospel music, the "Maestro" Ron Carter and the "Choirmaster" Ricky Dillard are taking church to the Jazz club with t ...more
LaMarr Blackmon • 154 Views • February 9th, 2026 |
Popular Blogs
 |
Divorce in America in 2009 – What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Join Brother Marcus and the cast and the crew of the Brother Marcus Show live this Sunday evening on February 1, 2009 @ 8:00 p.m. for another hot topic in our community! “Divorce in America in 2009 ...more
Brother Marcus! • 70,796,575 Views • January 27th, 2009 |
 |
VISINE ALERT!!!Seemingly innocent medication such as Visine eyedrops are used by people to concoct a mixture with similar effects as a date-rape drug.
When mixed with alcohol and taken orally, the eyedrops can l ...more
Siebra Muhammad • 118,227 Views • May 23rd, 2009 |
 |
"Chain Hang Low" check out the real meaning of the Lyrics!Recently there is a new artist out of Saint Louis that goes by the name JIBBS. Jibbs debut single "Chain hang low" has a history that most people are not aware of. The particular nursery rhyme that th ...more
Tyhesha Judge-Fogle • 75,052 Views • November 9th, 2006 |
 |
HBCU Marketplace Gifts: Divine 9 Premium Fraternity / Sorority Playing CardsVendor: Charles Jones
Item Price: $20.00
Price Includes Shipping: Yes - Shipping Included
Item Description:
Pantheon Series - Divine 9 - Premium Playing Cards (choose Gold Series or Silve ...more
How May I Help You NC • 61,511 Views • December 2nd, 2018 |
