It is interesting that an anti-White, racist organization such as the NAACP would be listened too by anyone.

Posted by jnrentz (anonymous) on April 22, 2009 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't care who teach the class as long as my kids get a good education.

Posted by ChhayLimVa (anonymous) on April 22, 2009 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hatrick needs to go. I don't care how, resignation, termination or if it must be so, retirement. His style of leadership is dead. He surrounds himself with minions willing to do his bidding and all with integrity that disagree are summarily canned. Even if someone proves he doesn't discriminate (which I'm sure will be pouring out from LCPS operatives as this story matures), he needs to leave for SO many reasons. It is TIME for a change. Mobsters didn't go to jail because of organized crime, they got pinched on tax evasion. Same goes with Hatrick, just pick your reason, any reason will do, the end result is the same. Please see him to the door.

Posted by sootiewebb (anonymous) on April 22, 2009 at 1:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hatrick won't resign. Then he would have to give up his free vacations, his free cars and gasoline, his uber health and life insurance, etc.

Posted by GenuineRisk (anonymous) on April 22, 2009 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He should go -- eighteen years is far too many. Most of the white contituants will never agree with improving hiring minority teachers and administrator, and when they do they will do all that they can to chase them away -- I know this from experience. He has established a culture that takes us back to days of slavery, and the community needs to step up against his leadership style and protest until he is gone. For those who can not see the significance of diversity in the county, they should reassess their core values then get over themselves because the world is changing. If they do not want to be left behind, they will jump on the wagon to ensure equity for ALL human beings in their community. It is a shame that we are having this discussions today -- please people, stop the hating and face up to your own indiscretions -- you will become a better person when you do.

Posted by adamgina1988 (anonymous) on April 22, 2009 at 2:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What I don't understand, is if we are to treat all equally, why are we allowed to keep statistics based solely on race? People should be hired and fired based on their job experience and performance and that issue alone. Companies and organizations should not even be allowed to ask race issues on their applications. Reverse discrimination is still discrimination- which I disagree wholeheartedly with regardless of who is being discriminated against. Groups like the NAACP- which are racially motivated and which their name implies should not even be in existence in today's society. Since when do Blacks like to be called "Colored People" which is what the NAACP represents? They have never even evolved into a name change, much less an attitude adjustment. I am not saying there is no discrimination in our society- there certainly is, but is not only against blacks or what are traditionally called 'minorities'. The current minority in many school systems is non-hispanic whites nowadays yet you don't see them getting special treatment for being a minority. How do we teach children to disregard race if every statistic we keep as a society has a racial component...obviously race does matter. Expecially when people want to use it to try to make a point and try to use statistics, which we all know can be manipulated to say pretty much whatever you want them to say...I would hope that one day we can all get beyond this and just live together in harmony, without regard for the color of our skin...

Posted by pennv (anonymous) on April 22, 2009 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What if a group known as the NAAWP was formed? Would they not be considered racist and would anyone listen to them? What makes this special interest group so "special"?

Posted by isidore (anonymous) on April 22, 2009 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"He should go -- eighteen years is far too many. Most of the white contituants will never agree with improving hiring minority teachers and administrator, and when they do they will do all that they can to chase them away -- I know this from experience. He has established a culture that takes us back to days of slavery, and the community needs to step up against his leadership style and protest until he is gone. For those who can not see the significance of diversity in the county, they should reassess their core values then get over themselves because the world is changing. If they do not want to be left behind, they will jump on the wagon to ensure equity for ALL human beings in their community. It is a shame that we are having this discussions today -- please people, stop the hating and face up to your own indiscretions -- you will become a better person when you do.

Posted by adamgina1988 (anonymous) on April 22, 2009 at 2:28 p.m."

What does this mean, adamgina? My kids are getting a good education from teachers who generally reflect the community they are growing up in. Are you suggesting that all the teachers should be minorities? Or should I just get over myself after reassessing my core values?

Posted by imack882 (anonymous) on April 22, 2009 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why would anyone listen to this racist organization?
I thought we were all equal.

Posted by jmy999 (anonymous) on April 22, 2009 at 6:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I suspect all the folks bashing Hatrick home school their children. I think the NAACP should hand deliver a resume for any highly qualified minority to LCPS personal. Put up or shut up. People don't get how hard it is to find qualified minorities who WANT to go into education.

Posted by waxtraxs (anonymous) on April 22, 2009 at 6:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

18 people signed?? Well, there you have it, the majority have spoken.
I don't understand it, the naacp wants "equality", but THEY are the ones seperating themselves from everyone! This crap about being "african-American" is prime example. If you're American....SAY SO!!
In a county with a population of about 280,000 , with the Whites making up about 80% of that, you are lucky to have what you have.
And why is it that the biggest racist always start with "Rev"? What a crock!!

Posted by JimiP1 (anonymous) on April 23, 2009 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe the president of the NAACP should resign for doing such an awful job of hiring a fairly diverse workforce.

Posted by OhTheHumanity (anonymous) on April 23, 2009 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As the immediate past chairperson of the Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee (MSAAC) for the Loudoun County School Board I don’t agree with the NAACP’s call for Dr. Hatrick’s resignation. I have similar concerns as the NAACP about Loudoun’s public schools, but when one considers that Loudoun’s school system is consistently highly ranked among the state and nation’s educational systems, then to be fair, some of the credit should go to its leadership. Also Loudoun’s school population has grown tremendously during Dr. Hatrick’s tenure – more than tripling in size. The system has to accommodate the language needs of an increasingly diverse student body (around 40% of the total population) which as MSAAC learned just this past week at its monthly meeting now includes over 87 distinct foreign languages while at the same time educating all students to pass standardized state tests and to meet federal “No Child Left Behind” requirements. The proof of the pudding is in the eating and Loudoun has a very high graduation rate with an accompanying low dropout rate – both indicators of a good school system. Instead of calling for Hatrick to step down the NAACP ought to step up efforts to assist and aid children to improve academically. A good place to start is at the 3rd Parent Involvement Symposium being held this Saturday at Stone Bridge HS by MSAAC and LCPS.
Finally a word to all the “anonymous” commenter’s who believe the NAACP is “racist” – NO! The NAACP has never advocated supremacy of race, religion or ethnicity like the Klu Klux Klan – only that people of color be treated equally and fairly in our country. I share the sentiment that in this day and age there ought to be no need for the NAACP, however awareness of some huge differences such as in unemployment and imprisonment between whites and people of color sadly contradicts that notion.
- Herb Bryan

Posted by herbbryan (anonymous) on April 23, 2009 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As Chief Justice Roberts said: "The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race."

Posted by dbc007 (anonymous) on April 23, 2009 at 10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would like to see Dr. Hatrick resign and no my children were not home schooled. I have had personal dealings with this man and his arrogance is incredible. Suffice it to say, my child got a private education at the expense of LCPS. Thank you Loudoun taxpayers.

Posted by livingloco (anonymous) on April 24, 2009 at 7:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This action by our local NAACP just furthers the divide they are trying to close. We are obviously not in a "post racial" era.

I have had kids in the school system for nine years and have frequently volunteered in the classroom and at school events. I have not witnessed prejudice on the part of the school staff or the other parent volunteers. In addition, the staff and volunteers at the schools have been of all races and genders.

Posted by momof2 (anonymous) on April 24, 2009 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

One way to get rid of him. GO for it. Good Day ph

Posted by Funnyguyva (anonymous) on April 24, 2009 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

livingloco

"my child got a private education at the expense of LCPS"

And you call for Hatrick to resign? You should have sent him flowers and a thank you card.

Posted by waxtraxs (anonymous) on April 26, 2009 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hatrick has been in the LCPS for way more than 18 years folks. He was a teacher at Broad Run when my husband was a student there. (My husband is now in his mid 50's) He has 2 grown children who both went to LoCo schools. We're talking 30+ years. It is time for Hatrick to go. He is old school. We are all looking for a breath of fresh air.

Posted by chris (anonymous) on April 26, 2009 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We Will Byde our Time No More!

The Loudoun NAACP is a valued community organization. Their concerns reflect the concerns of many African Americans and others with children in Loudoun. In a county whose motto is "I Byde my Time," where segregation was forced to end only 41 years ago, there are many entrenched interests who oppose change.

The NAACP has presented a valid study of state and county education statistics on the achievement gap. These statistics point to continued shortcomings in ending the achievement gap for students of color, and a poor record of hiring and RETENTION of African American teachers and administrators.

The responsibility for these shortcomings lies squarely with the Superintendent and his central office administrators. The criticism of the LCPS senior staff by the NAACP is well deserved.

It is entirely reasonable for the NAACP to call for the Superintendent's resignation.
As the editors of the Leesburg Today state in their editorial of 4/24, "the organization (NAACP) was seeking to...keep the spotlight on the gap between the academic performance of minority students compared with their white classmates." The editorial concludes,"Would you think it enough that the school system tells you that the student's of your child's race or ethnicity is COMING CLOSER (emphasis added) to matching the scores of white students? It shouldn't be."

The time has passed for small changes. The citizens of Loudoun can no longer allow the sacrifice of some children's futures in the name of self-serving incremental change to our educational institutions. The time for real change is now.

Posted by LoudounPatriot (anonymous) on April 26, 2009 at 6:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)