WEST CHESTER TWP. — A local NAACP president who's also a longtime Lakota school parent says progress has been too slow in improving the suburban district's racial climate.

        Gary Hines, president of the NAACP's Hamilton/Fairfield/West Chester and Liberty Townships chapter, has delivered a list of more than a dozen sweeping requests addressing racial issues to Lakota's superintendent. They reflect his frustrations — and those of some other African-American parents.

RACIAL MAKE-UP

• 1992: Lakota Schools had 10,943 students, of whom 209, or about 1.9 percent, were African-American.     In the same year, there were three black teachers among the district's teaching staff of 576, no black administrators and no black non-instructional employees.     • 2002: Lakota's student enrollment is 15,466 — eighth-largest in Ohio — and 744 students, or about 4.8 percent, are black.     There are now nine black teachers among a total staff of 872. There is one black administrator among 48 and seven black non-instructional employees among the district's total of about 2,100 employees.     The district covers West Chester and Liberty townships. There are about 2,525 blacks among West Chester Township's 54,895 residents, and about 616 blacks among Liberty Township's 22,819 residents, according to the 2000 census.

        While Mr. Hines on Thursday credited the leadership of the predominantly white, largely upper-middle class school system for its willingness to talk about racial issues during the decade since his family moved there, he criticized school officials for not doing more.

        “We have seen little progress in 10 years, yet the district calls for more dialogue,” Mr. Hines wrote to the Lakota superintendent in a letter obtained by the Enquirer. “While dialogue is often the best first step toward problem-solving, 10 years is a bit much. Now is the time to turn dialogue into action.”

        Lakota officials say, however, they have done much more than simply talk about racial issues in Ohio's eighth-largest school system with 15,466 students. About 4.8 percent, or 744 students, are black.

        They countered that Lakota works hard — this year alone via more than 32 diversity programs, activities and staff training — in accommodating not only blacks but also the district's smaller minority populations of Indians and Hispanics.

Klink

        But Lakota Superintendent Kathleen Klink also said she welcomed the NAACP's requests as a catalyst for starting a “diversity audit” of the district's personnel, programs and attitudes, which she wants done before this school year ends.

        “Lakota represents a wide variety of cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds that enrich our district. If there are gaps, then let's identify those gaps,” said Ms. Klink, who then wants to quickly develop a strategic plan to address any problems that may come to light.

        Mr. Hines' letter listed wide-ranging requests including:

        • Hiring two black principals and assistant principals and 15 black teachers — by the fall;

        • Hiring more black coaches and assistants;

        • Requiring all of Lakota's 2,100 employees to take cultural sensitivity training;

        • Creating a Director of Multicultural Affairs position and hiring a diversity consultant;

        • Recruiting blacks and other minorities to serve on the district's curricula council;

        • An NAACP review of student suspensions and expulsions.

        Mr. Hines said the NAACP will monitor the district's response to the requests and issue a preliminary report on June 30.

        Ms. Klink said she wanted to study the NAACP requests in more detail, but said: “I'm confident we can work together to have a stronger, better and all-inclusive district.”

        Mr. Hines, and some other black Lakota parents, criticized the district on racial issues.

        The Rev. John Steveson, of the Heirs Family Worship Center in West Chester, has been a Lakota parent since 1997 and characterized the school system as “lacking sensitivity to racial and cultural differences.”

        The Rev. Mr. Steveson said that alleged insensitivity is the reason he transferred his teen-age son to Hamilton High School.

E.J. Underwood

        Lakota parent Elmer Underwood said he also transferred his son — E.J. Underwood — to Hamilton because of what he believed to be racial favoritism that was reducing his son's playing time in football and basketball. At Hamilton, the younger Underwood last season went on to become Ohio's top defensive back and will play for Ohio State University this fall.

        “There is not a level playing field for African-American students in this district,” Mr. Underwood said.

        Prior to a previously scheduled meeting Thursday evening, for which the diversity theme was “Building an Inclusive Community,” Ms. Klink said that she is optimistic more progress can made.

        “I believe solutions are achieved when we work together and I want to work together to address concerns ... ,” she said.

        Carolyn Mazloomi, a black Lakota parent, said she feels certain the district will correct any problems that might be revealed.

        “I've had no issues and if I had, I'm certain they would be addressed by the district,” said Ms. Mazloomi.

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