Submitted by: Champaign County Branch-NAACP

Education, in the broadest sense, is any act or experience that has a formative effect on the mind, character, or physical ability of an individual. In its technical sense, education is the process by which society deliberately transmits its accumulated knowledge, skills, and values from one generation to another. The Latin word for educate- educere– means to bring up, bring out, and/or bring forth what is within; bring out potential.  Education is a concept referring to the process in which students can learn.

It is the position of the NAACP Champaign County Branch, in regards to District 116 budget reductions, that when it comes to programs that enhance the education and progress of students of color, the NAACP Champaign County Branch believes that such programs should not be part of district budget reductions. Specific programs include:

  1. District parent and community outreach liaison including Latino liaison.
  2. Minority Enrichment Program Coordinator
  3. Alternative Education Program (Recapture)

We believe that these programs are essential to the success of our students. The media has reported that we are concerned only about persons, and not programs. The truth is that without key people, these programs wouldn’t be such a success. In this situation, the programs are the people who compose them and the two cannot be separated.  When students of color succeed, the whole district succeeds. Yes, Illinois is in a financial crisis, but that can’t deter us now, nor will it ever deter us. We believe the district has the ability and compassion in their hearts to see that these programs remain apart of the schools.

In closing, the Champaign County Branch of the NAACP will continue to fight for the equal treatment when it comes to all teachers and students, especially teachers and students of color. The NAACP is the oldest, biggest, and baddest civil rights organization of today. Last year we celebrated our Centennial anniversary.  What a feat! The organization was formed around the 1908 Springfield race riots. We have come a long way and still have a long way to go.  We won’t be turned around now!
Respectfully Submitted,

Rev. T.A. Burks-1st Vice President

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