Schools need cultural balance
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While minorities make up over 10 percent of the Warren County Schools student population, he pointed out to the school board’s personnel committee Thursday night, they make up less than one percent of the school system’s teachers and administrators.
“When kids see minority teachers in the classroom it gives them another culture to look at, and culture helps – it makes better people. Warren County Schools needs more racial diversity. What we’re asking for is a chance for change so we can grow together as people,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of Save Our Cumberland Mountains, an organization better known for its advocacy of environmental issues, Wolford urged the school board to pass a resolution supporting efforts to increase the number of minority teachers, with the goal of having the number of such teachers reflect the percentage of minority students in the system. Board members passed the resolution unanimously.
School system human resources director Roy Pierce admits the numbers of minority teachers is not at an optimum level, but said it is not for lack of trying.
“This is a lifestyles issue,” he said, “and one that’s not easily addressed. One of the biggest problems we face, and not just with minorities, is the fact that we’re in rural Tennessee. When they (potential teachers) find out Warren County has nothing to offer here beyond church in order to have a social life, that’s the last I hear from most of them. Race doesn’t have that much to do with it.”
Wolford said he realizes there are obstacles to attracting minorities, but said he believes a pro-active minority recruitment campaign could do much narrow the current gap.
It can be done, he said, but it will take more than just advertising jobs and hoping qualified applicants will come knocking at the door.
“You have to go to them, to the colleges and college classrooms maybe. You have to do whatever is necessary,” said the retired Army recruiter.
“You can’t tell me in this whole wide world we can’t get someone to come to Warren County. We’re not asking for the whole system, just a few to represent, that’s all. We’ll help any way we can.”
Said Pierce: “Any help they’re willing to give, I’m willing to take.”