Rhett King

I would like to voice my feelings over the school zone proposals and what has been said and to what actually occurred.

It is unfortunate that a picture was shown referring to “inner city.” I do not agree with that language or any that would result in devaluing any student or any of the DISD schools.

I feel the paper, the DISD administration, and the school board members have drawn the opinion that the concerns are racially based. This is neither the problem nor the truth.

It is unfortunate when three or four persons at the meetings are presumed to speak for others. The other 99 percent were there to voice legitimate concerns for their children.

I did not hear the racial slurs and tones that we were told existed by speakers and Dr. Curtis Ramsey at the last school board meeting. I did not see Dr. Ramsey at either earlier meeting, yet he felt compelled to give a four-page speech to all that lectured us on how we should conduct ourselves.

He reminded everyone there that the job of the school board was to educate every student and what was best for all students. I agree totally.

It again was unfortunate that concerned parents, involved parents, parents trying to find a solution to a complex and complicated problem, were dismissed as racist due to one sign at a meeting. I cannot image a problem with only one solution. That was all that was presented.

I cannot imagine having to make this decision without community involvement and input, but it happened. I cannot image a solution that does not address the long-term needs in school zoning, but this one does not.

We were told that not having neighborhood schools and busing children by one school to arrive at another were good ideas. We were told that friends your child grew up with in elementary and middle school did not matter; they will make new friends. We were read from the Bible at the board meeting and told how we should not judge others.

We were invited to “step outside” by someone I was told was a coach in the DISD. He was not removed after the threat.

The entire meeting was driven by the premise that everyone there was upset that their children would be attending Denton High School. I, along with others, have children who will be moved to Ryan from Guyer. This was never mentioned. It was not mentioned that two of my daughter’s best friends are persons of color.

Every parent there realized the problem of overcrowding. We came to voice our concerns and offer other options. We were met with Bible verse and a prepared speech.

I am sorry the board and others feel this is racial. It is not.

I want to personally offer an apology to the students, teachers, and administrators who felt they had to defend their school. I offer my support to all of you and would ask for help in resolving these issues.

Finally, I would ask of the Denton Record-Chronicle: Please do not write about a meeting that was only half attended due to a deadline issue. I ask this respectfully.

RHETT KING  is a resident of Corinth and the manager of Foxworth Galbraith Lumber Co.