Letter from the Branch President
L.J. McCoy
President
  The Chesterfield County Branch NAACP has observed a very disturbing situation in the county that resonates throughout the state of Virginia. While our attention has been captivated by Attorney General Cucinnelli’s letter abandoning gay and lesbian rights, and Governor McDonnell’s making April Confederate History Month, our children are slowly being disproportionately excluded from the gifted programs.
  The Chesterfield Branch has found that the African American student population in the county is at 26%, but the gifted program has only a 12% African American participation in this program. Of the 57 Chesterfield County students selected for admission to Maggie Walker Governor’s School for the 2009 – 2010 school year, only one was African American and there was only one Hispanic student. The Virginia State Board of Education in the “Annual Report on the Condition and Needs of Public Schools in Virginia” state that its second objective is to eliminate the achievement gap. And it would stand to reason that any school system in Virginia would have the same goal. 
  By way of the branch’s education chair’s research, we have found this shameful condition exist in gifted programs throughout the state of Virginia. The branch has made a presentation to former Governor Tim Kaine’s policy advisor on this matter and recommended that they do not approve the changes in the gifted program that further disenfranchise minority and low-income students. Yet, the former governor signed this directive in the last few days of his administration.The Education Chair, Mr. Arthur Almore, prepared a petition in order that Governor Bob McDonnell would open more dialogue on the matter. The petition was granted for additional comments between March 3^rd and April 28^th. The VSC NAACP Executive Committee was also asked to act on this matter by sending comments on line to the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall site.The branch has encouraged churches and other county organizations to SUPPORT OUR CHILDREN by attending Board of Supervisor meetings at the Chesterfield County multi-purpose room to voice their concerns on the matter, as well as other educational issues.
  Finally, the branch leadership and our members are also reviewing another sensitive situations, which include the disproportionate suspensions of African American students with disabilities. The current situation and tread are quite disturbing.  Neither I, nor anyone else could expect these situations to be resolved overnight. But, we certainly hope and pray the extensive cuts to the Chesterfield County Public Schools do not further impact minority and low income students. Thank you.