Hampton presses case for keeping state deaf, blind school

From: Daily Press, VA - Aug 16, 2005

Proponents tell state education officials the school has more services that help students live successfully in society.

BY BEVERLY N. WILLIAMS
247-4755

HAMPTON -- Relocating deaf and blind students in Hampton to Central Virginia would reduce their exposure to cultural diversity and the community resources they need, school advocates told the Virginia Board of Education.

Hampton is one of two sites being considered as a possible consolidated site for educating deaf, blind and multi-disabled students from around the state. Earlier this year, the General Assembly directed the state board to combine the schools in Hampton and Staunton because both are struggling with declining student enrollment.

On Thursday, the board plans a public hearing and tour at the Staunton school, which was built in 1838 and has 156 students.

"I haven't walked a mile in your shoes and some of the remarks today are based on pain that's been felt for a lot of years," Board President Thomas Jackson told about 200 people seated in the Hampton school's auditorium. "But this decision will be based on what's best for the children."

Jackson was referring to comments from several people who implied race might be a factor in targeting the school for closure.

The school, which opened in 1909, was established as a place of learning for deaf and blind black children and its student population today is 60 percent black. The school population in Staunton is 90 percent white.

Jackson said the board wants to gather as much information as possible before picking a location.

But he said people at the hearing made a good case for the Hampton site, which he described as "a beautiful piece of property that's very suitable for the type of school there."

Ralph Shelman, a 1968 graduate of the school, said the Hampton school is better able to expand its services and accommodate more students than the one in Staunton.

"This is the best place for a consolidated school," Shelman told the board. "Even though we feel it would be as much of a crime for the kids in Staunton to come here as it would be for the kids from Hampton to go to Staunton."

Several people stressed the importance of public transportation because some parents and students depend on it to get to and from the school. Others said both schools should remain open because Virginia is large enough to sustain at least two or more schools for deaf and blind students.

And a few urged the board to ask the General Assembly to reconsider consolidating and instead allocate more money for both schools.

City and school officials from Newport News and Hampton, and business and community leaders like Congressman Robert C. Scott and former state delegate Flora Crittenden argued that Hampton needs the school because it serves local military families and contributes students to the workforce.

Clyde Hoey, president of the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, said that with 65,000 businesses operating in Hampton Roads, the chamber favors keeping the school in Hampton.

"You need to think outside the box," Hoey told the board. "This school has proven itself able to handle the services and when you look at the essence of need - we're talking about human beings here - that need needs to be served."

Copyright ©2005 The Daily Press