Community members offer comments on Respress

June 15, 2006

By PAT LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com


For a moment, Jacqueline M. Respress thought she was attending her own funeral.

One person after another lauded the New Castle Area School District's junior high principal at Wednesday night's school board meeting.

"Some of the things that were said were just completely stunning," she said. "It touched my heart; it touched my soul.

"If somebody never does another thing for me, what these folks have done for me tonight -- what they have said about me -- have just made me just so overwhelmed."

Eighteen speakers addressed the board regarding Respress. They also expressed outrage and disbelief that she had been overlooked when the district hired an administrative assistant to the superintendent late last month.

And they thanked Respress for what she had done for students and community.

"Somebody should get these comments for my eulogy," she joked.

Following are comments from those who spoke during the visitors portion of the meeting.

The Rev. Peter Franklin
Centennial Street

"I was actually appalled to see that the board had chosen someone out of the district to fill the position. Your hiring norm seems to be to hire from within.

"I feel that the quality service that Mrs. Respress has contributed to the district ... and her academic credentials far outweigh any of your other candidates. And yet she continues to face problems when faced with promotional opportunities."

Penny Strayer
Pine Street

"Mrs. Respress ... has dedicated her life to helping educating the youth of this area.

"Mrs. Respress not only encourages the students to reach beyond their own expectations but, by being an example, she has gone beyond what she needs for her position.

"She loves and is dedicated to the students of this city and wants to see them succeed in their lives with education their main focus.

Joseph Gunn
vice president
NAACP, New Castle chapter

"This is a great lady, a great leader in our community."

Nancy Whetzel
New Castle

"We need to stop and think about the character of a person. ... Their character speaks for them, and this lady has character.

"I say to (the board) be honest, be fair. That's all it takes. 'Cause you have to live with yourself.

"So I pray you will make the right decision, because she is well-qualified for the job."

Laverne Lane
Locust Street
(Speaking on behalf of Evelyn Ward, president of the NAACP's New Castle chapter)

"Once again the leadership of the New Castle school system has passed over a qualified African-American woman for a high-level administrative position. Mrs. Jacqueline Respress is an experienced educator with many years of quality service and a deep commitment to the children of our community. New Castle can do better."

Sidney McKnight
Smithfield Street

"We're not here saying that the ... district should have hired a black woman simply because ... she is black. Mrs. Respress is a well-qualified individual.

"In a district where there is 10 percent African-American students, I do believe the ... district can do better than what they are doing."

Jesse Moss
Boroline Street

"I know Mrs. Respress, and I know what she's about. I know she cares about children. I'm not saying that you (on the board) don't care, but you don't care enough."

Kim Taylor
Bellview Avenue

"She has given and given and given, and you all have given nothing to her. She's worked very hard for all that she has obtained."

Shirley Booker
Bell Avenue

"I'm just disappointed with the whole school board, the whole district. When is the nepotism going to stop? When are we going to start hiring people for what they know and who they know?"

Anna Bennett
Bell Avenue

"This woman has given well over 20 years of dedicated service to the city and to our children of New Castle. She's a positive role model."

Lenora Hunt
East Winter

"We are sending a negative message to our children. Mrs. Respress is one of the people our children respect.

"If you ask any of the kids, they'll tell you they want to be like her. And when you get to be like her, how far can you go in New Castle?"

Ramona Jordan
West Parkway Street

"Your decision leaves many of us deeply saddened and disappointed.

"Mrs. Respress is an inspiration to our community and our students.

"Mrs. Respress is not only a person of impeccable integrity and honesty, she is a committed person that gets results.

"We are angered that the school board did not promote her."

Loretta Hogans
West Washington Street

"I think if you want to do it right and it came down to two candidates, you always pick the one that you know. 'Cause you have already seen what she can do."

Anita Lyles
Pearson Street

"There was a lot of things going on with (my son), but, when he came in contact with Mrs. Jacqueline Respress, my son did a 180-degree turn.

"I thank God for her. I appreciate everything she has ever done for me and my family."

Eleanor Richardson
Bell Avenue

"You overlook a highly qualified and experienced candidate. You have made many statements in recent school board meetings about hiring from within the community. But now you changed your position because Mrs. Respress was involved. This will not be forgotten."

The Rev. David M. Young
New Castle

"I am shocked and appalled at the actions of this board concerning Sister Respress.

"This is either a personal attack. It is either jealousy or it is fear. Fear that ... this woman is going to run the whole district.

"Enough is enough." Melva Pope McCleary Avenue "What kind of example are you (setting), even for the white students? Are you teaching them just to ignore black people?

"I didn't think that you people were against diversity. ... It's just a shame that we all have to show up here because somebody that was over-qualified wasn't even really considered. "I'm ashamed of you."