A West Lowndes community member went before the Lowndes County school board Friday, to voice concerns over a pending redistricting plan for the system.
Robert Phillips of the West Lowndes Parents Association presented the board with a letter, outlining concerns from the community group.
The letter asked for the school system”s five districts to reflect racial makeup of the system. County schools have an enrollment of 61.9 percent white and 35.9 percent black.
Phillips said the new lines should create an opportunity for two majority-black districts, so another black board member can be elected. Currently there is only one black school board member, Phillips pointed out, also noting that she, Jacqueline Gray, is met with opposition on requests or her motions die for a lack of support.
“That”s been a problem for lack of representation for us on this side (of the river), as well as minorities in New Hope and Caledonia,” Phillips said.
In the letter, the parents” association also asked for a “fair map” and for board members to expedite the redistricting process.
Bridge and Watson, the Oxford firm which handled the redistricting plan for Lowndes County, has been contracted by the school board, as well.
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