Manchester Proud: Another Disappointment

by
Ann Marie Banfield

Manchester Proud has been involved with the Manchester public schools for many years now. Some have even questioned who’s really running the school after they hear how Manchester Proud is involved.

The New Hampshire House Education Committee heard testimony on SB218. SB218 would establish an early educator professional development grant. During testimony, Sue Hannon, who is an educator in the Manchester schools, spoke in favor of SB218. (54:00). She explained how this money could be used to fund mentors for teachers in Manchester. She explained how this would help teachers, which would ultimately help students. She gave a thorough explanation of how this money would be used.

The committee members asked detailed questions, but as I sat there listening, I wondered why Manchester Proud hasn’t funded this important position.

Manchester Proud claims to be an organization focused on improving the schools. So why are employees in the district taking their personal day off of work to ask for additional funding? What has Manchester Proud done for the teachers and students in the public schools?

Here you can read about Manchester Proud wasted $30,000.00 to join the Council of Great City Schools (CGCS). Teachers were pleading for basic necessities in the classroom, but that wasn’t a priority for Manchester Proud. CGCS pushes political objectives.

Here Manchester Proud was noted for teaming up with the radicalized 2Revolutions. Another politicized group that pushes the radical and racist Critical Race Theory agenda in public schools.

And despite Manchester Proud’s claim to not be political, in 2018, their political associations drew negative attention.

What does Manchester Proud focus on now?

Manchester Proud highlighted the school’s Chief Equity Officer here. This is what Tina Philibotte focuses on:

My greatest aspiration is to have culturally sustaining systems, practices, and pathways in place where students feel seen, heard, and valued. Manchester schools will be nurturing spaces where all students and families have agency in matters where they are most directly affected. The voices of the historically marginalized and historically under-resourced community members will be lifted up and prioritized, and all kids will have what they need to contribute positively to their community.

Once again, a lot of FLUFF but no substance. There is nothing about the importance of improving literacy for the underserved students in this district. Nothing about improving academic outcomes or the importance of knowledge. When will someone care about uplifting students in this district so doors will be opened for them?

Compare Manchester Proud’s priorities to Sun Hannon’s priorities. Sue Hannon wants to make sure that the teachers are well prepared to teach in the classroom. She wants to make sure that teachers have mentors, and that the district can retain the teachers they have on staff. There’s no fluff in that, but instead a lot of substance.

Manchester Proud’s blatant disregard for prioritizing the needs in the district, is on display again. When will they bring something of substance to the table?

Real social justice begins with a focus on academic excellence in a safe learning environment. Employees shouldn’t have to take a day off of work to ask for money from the State, when so much is wasted by Manchester Proud!

Author

  • Ann Marie Banfield

    Ann Marie Banfield has been researching education reform for over a decade and actively supports parental rights, literacy and academic excellence in k-12 schools. You can contact her at: banfieldannmarie@gmail.com

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