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MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Laura Blackmon <br />County Manager <br />FROM: James Spivey <br />DATE: April 23, 2007 <br />RE: UPDATE: Hillsborough and Central Elementary School -Employment Discrimination <br />As update regarding whether persons have contacted the Department about employment related <br />discrimination, Isubmit the following: <br />CLARIFICATION <br />The issue of discrimination has been referenced as a component of the situation regarding the <br />Hillsborough Elementary and Central Elementary Schools. Some parents, a teacher, and an employee <br />attended the April 09, 2007 HRC meeting voicing concern about the existing diversity inequity in the <br />schools based on socio-economic statues and race, i.e., racial discrimination. <br />APRIL 09, 2007: JEIRC MEETING <br />Five (5) guests attended the HRC meeting soliciting assistance in ~ addressing issues of racial <br />discrimination due to diversity inequity based on socio-economic statues and race that exist between <br />Central Elementary School and Hillsborough Elementary School. <br />Concern was voiced that if Central Elementary School does not pass the Adequate Yearly Progress <br />(AYP) assessment, the School will become Title I School Improvement Status. This designation <br />entails the State Department of Instruction monitoring and managing the school. Additionally, this <br />designation will allow students to transfer to any other school in the School District and <br />transportation cost associated with this transferal will be borne by the School District. <br />Concern was voiced regarding the free and reduced lunch programs at Hillsborough and Central <br />Elementary Schools. Hillsborough Elementary School's program is less that 13% while Central <br />Elementary School's program is approximately 70%. Those present voiced concerned that these <br />percentages are a direct result of socio-economic and racial inequity. <br />Concern was voiced that Hillsborough Elementary School was allowed to operate essentially as a <br />private school while receiving funds allocated for public schools. This assertion is based on <br />requirement that an essay be written by the parent(s) of prospective HES students. It was <br />stated that the quality of the essay determined a child's acceptance or rejection. However, <br />the essay requirement has been discontinued but the residual effects of the essay requirement <br />are still apparent. <br />Staff explained that allegations of employment discrimination could be addressed by the HRC due to <br />a 2003 State Supreme Court ruling that the section of the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance was <br />unconstitutional. Staff explained that the HRC is an advisory commission to the BOCC and is not a <br />policy making body; thus, the power of the HIZC is advisory. <br />