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~ "ipsa scientia potestas est" ~ "Knowledge itself is power"
Kim is truly a "Champion" of the community. Before his involvement, the Lewis administration and Board of Education virtually ignored Cross Keys High, and the school system's Latino population, especially along the Buford Highway cooridor. Cross Keys High is not only the worst school facility in the DeKalb County School System, it is arguably the worst in metro Atlanta and one of the worst in the state. Thank you Kim, for energizing the Cross Keys community. It may take a new Board of Education and superintendent to do it, but one day there will be a facility at Cross Keys worthy of its fantastic, diverse and special student body!
For a man who's the father of a 3-year-old, Kim Gokce sure spends a lot of time at a local high school. And he says that others without children in local schools should be as committed as he is in supporting public education.
Gokce is actively involved at Cross Keys High School and Woodward Elementary School.
He recently helped to organize a Hands On Atlanta work day at the school and a recognition ceremony for an Cross Keys alum who emigrated here from a war-torn country. In recent weeks, Gokce and seven others launched the Cross Keys Foundation (crosskeysfoundation.org), which is seeking to raise funds for scholarships as well as teacher grants and enlist volunteers for a range of projects.
Gokce, who lives a quarter mile from the school, said that many people have a negative impression of Cross Keys High School because the building is old and in bad shape and the school's population is predominantly immigrants and Latinos.
"People look at the building and think it symbolizes what goes on at the school" said Gokce. "That's unfair to the kids." Gokce said he's determined to get the neighborhood to support the school and the students.
"I feel like a vibrant public education is an important piece of our civic landscape. I cannot imagine a community like Brookhaven without a premier high school that everyone is proud of" he said. "These are fantastic kids doing amazing things."
He points out that part of his passion for young immigrants stems from his background. He's a first generation American; his father emigrated from Turkey.
Observers applaud Gokce's efforts. "Re-engaging an entire community to support its local public schools is tough work, and most people don't have the motivation, dedication or intestinal fortitude to take it on" stated Decatur resident Julie Rhame in an email.
Cross Keys Principal LaShawn McMillan also sings Gokce's praises. "Kim is a big cheerleader for Cross Keys, and he has no hidden agendas" stated McMillan via e-mail. "He has done so much for the teachers, students and the Cross Keys community. He is a huge asset."
Gokce, a Internet systems consultant who also runs the Web site communityradar. com, is also the president of the Hills Dale Neighborhood Associationand a member of the Brookhaven Community Connection.
If you would like to nominate someone to be considered as a future Champion of the Week, please contact Kathy Mitchell at kathy@dekalbchamp.com or at 404-373-7779, ext. 104.
Back in April, the Cross Keys HS community was told that the SPLOST III and DeKalb School of Technology-North move, site plans and schedule would be presented by DCSS in the June time frame. In July, Patricia Pope told the AJC that the community would see the plans by "mid-August." Last night, November 3, 2009 we got our look-see and our question and answer session in a public meeting in the school's media center (that's the library for oldsters like me).
Let's start off with the goods! Here are the four elevations shared at the meeting:
Building Addition - 4th wing
Art Classrooms - 4th wing
Main Office Enhancements
Corridor Upgrades
The only notable qualification on these images I should make is that the rendered floors leave a mis-impression that the original floors will be modified in some way - they will not.
The turn out was substantial with easily 100+ attendees crammed into the school's small library (literally standing room only this night). Faculty, parents, neighbors, local officials, and DCSS employees accounted for probably 80% of the audience and included friends of Cross Keys from outside our zone such as Ella Smith and Page Olson. The remaining 20% were current students!
The kids at CKHS did it again and took me off guard by their commitment and effort on behalf of their own school. How about that - the children are filling the gap in leadership in our community and school system! They had many great questions.
There were many touching moments during this 1 hour meeting that ran 2 hours. At the end of the meeting, there were still many hands in the air. Ms. Heckman, Area Assistant Superintendent, Region 1, did a great job trying to address the many questions and concerns while staying positive. Ms. Barbara Colman, described as "interim" construction chief, spoke directly, competently, and seemed very attentive to those present and their concerns. She also stayed quite a while afterward to answer individual questions.
While a lot of ground was covered, the majority of it had to do with the long history of neglect of Cross Keys HS. Everyone expressed delight with the planned improvements but it became very clear very early that the attendees felt the project will deliver far from what is hoped for and needed. This, of course, should be no surprise to anyone who is familiar with the overall situation. There was little in the way of revelations or "news."
That said, here are some random items worth noting:
Ms. Colman did indicate that interior ADA requirements would be in scope and I also heard her say the tennis courts would be restored/replaced after the modular classrooms were removed.
In a sidebar, there was agreement that DCSS Facilities could effectively encapsulate some of the fragmented asbestos tile that has been a concern of Jeff Bragg's (longtime CKHS faculty member) for some time without having to wait for the renovation plan to be executed.
"The Long Summer non-Start" - The construction team has been on hold awaiting 12 permits. The only one remaining is the Land Disturbance Permit which they are expecting any day.
Evergreen Construction has apparently done some work for Gwinnet Co. schools with some success and this is their first project for DeKalb Co. - there was much in the way of high expectations for quality and speed set by Ms. Colman and Evergreen.
The team is now talking aggressively again about being finished by next school year if things go well - that was a surprise but, of course, not a commitment.
Steve Donahue was present and immediately responsive to complaints about the conditions in the trailers. He stayed afterward and took down specific trailer numbers for action.
Jeff Bragg made the striking point that much of the items being discussed at the meeting were first discussed when the current CKHS seniors were in the 4th grade.
Don McChesney did a great job of summing up the situation with SPLOST overall and the failures of the past at Cross Keys HS and around the County.
I did not plan to record any of the meeting but once I sensed some very moving things being said, I fired up the mobile phone camera. So, even though they are poor quality, here are what I consider a few interesting excerpts from the Q&A. I will also post an update here with a long, uninterrupted segment of the Q&A later that includes some of the student interactions. I will answer any questions folks have to the best of my recollection if there are any specific ones you have in mind post it in comments.
During the SPLOST III public meeting on the topic of planned renovations at Cross Keys HS, a mother of a member of the girls soccer team expresses concern about the security and condition of the athletic field and whether this will be addressed in the plans. (first half in Spanish so wait for translation and answer in English)
Mr. Albert Martin, a life-long area resident and former substitute teacher and campus coordinator for Cross Keys, asks why Air Quality and Mold corrective action has to wait for the renovation while it has been a known issue for at least 3 years (see still photo at very bottom of this post). The answer is delivered by Ms Beth Heckman, Area Assistant Superintendent - Region 1. Ms. Heckman also asks to recognize the students and parents present.
Don McChesney Addresses Community Concerns (full text below - sound is hard to follow)
Text of Mr. McChesney comments: "Folks, I'm so old I remember when this school was new. And I remember when it was the show-place of DeKalb County. And I would like to get it started on its way again.
And I've heard what people have said; I hear your skepticism. You heard a lots of the problems of the past - the given schedules that haven't occurred. And I understand why you don't believe much of what we say.
The only thing I can say right now is: it's going to happen. It is going to happen. And these folks that ... there are eight other Board members besides me that ask these questions. And we've asked these questions of these folks here. We want to see you get a quality building here. And it is going to happen.
Evergreen has a very good reputation and I know of them in other Counties. What you've done some work in Gwinnett County and so forth and I'm very familiar with that.
To re-hash the past and all the failures will only make us spin our wheels. We can't reclaim that. It is done; it's gone and it wasn't a good story. But we're at a new place now. And I think if you start and look at what's going to happen at this new place, you will be pleased with what happens.
Now to address one other thing and this is what I telling Kim all the time we talk. And Mr. Moseley mentioned this tonight. Everybody wants so much. We have $2 billion dollars worth of needs in the County; $500 million of money to do it.
That means you get 25%. That's what all the schools get. They're going to get 25% ... [obscured by background noise]
Down the line I hope there will be further improvements but I think you're going to like what you get here. It's going to happen soon as soon as the County, not the DeKalb County Schools, but the County building permits people give us permission to go it is going to happen. And you'll actually see mortar, bricks, and dirt and things happen. And when that happens I think it will make it happen.
And if it doesn't happen, there are those of us on the Board that are going to be asking asking these people why it didn't happen. Because remember now, as a politician, I finally I have to answer to you. And you're going to ask well why didn't you get this done. Well, we're going to ask those same questions.
And I know these folks are very dedicated to what needs to be done here. And please please give them the chance now to do this. And try to get past as much as you can because, like I said, it is not going to help where we are now. This is going to happen and I think you are going to like it." -Don McChesney, BoE District 2
Supplemental Photo Mold of unknown source has been growing in CKHS classrooms for years. This shot is in a room that has not had flooding from rain or condensation but is on a hall that has had sewage backups. There is no known source for moisture in the rooms that may be feeding the mold.
This past Saturday at 2:00pm, an event I helped organize to honor Abu Bangura (right, chatting with CKHS band members) did not turn out as I planned.
It wasn't the rain at the event or the fact that the previous day's flooding meant Cross Keys' community had a sudden conflict. The football team had their game moved to Saturday at 2:00pm in Decatur HS' stadium due to flooding at their opponent's (Lovett) field. No, though both of these items lowered the turn out, it was not the attendees that surprised me - it was the honoree.
Cross Keys' teachers and coaches had described Abu to me all summer in very positive light. Each time someone spoke of him, they did so with affection. After meeting him, I can understand their universal admiration for this young man. His accomplishments on the soccer field, the classroom, and in the chorus room continue at Piedmont College as they did at Cross Keys HS. His former coaches, classroom teachers, and chorus teacher (pictured above/left with Abu) attended the event to support their former student.
What took me by surprise was his eloquence. After Commissioner Rader, Principal McMillan, Coach Wallace, and I all had our turn at addressing the crowd, Abu spoke. His sincerity and eloquence made us sound like mumblers - he told the young people how honored he was and how they could accomplish anything they wanted to with hard work. He was there for them, not for himself.
He told them how much he cherished his time at Cross Keys and how, after his current season was over at Piedmont, he'd be back to help the younger players at CKHS. In short, he exhibited a humility and good will that was a credit to him, his family, his faith, his high school and his community. Abu truly honored Brookhaven by his visit over the weekend and I can't wait to see him working with the young people at CKHS this winter.
Band Director, Bernard Short (picture below/right, with Dr. McMillan and Abu Bangura), brought out his young people to the event to make a joyful noise on Peachtree Road and did not disappoint. Small in numbers and sporting the better part of a uniform appearance, these kids really rocked the place! They played with precision and discipline. Folks across Peachtree at Hudson Grille turned from their NCAA games and listened and cheered the CKHS band. Little kids bobbed heads to the drum beat.
This is Mr. Bernard's second year and he is making great strides towards reviving what was a dying program. With nearly as many instruments in need of repair as those in working condition, this small band reminded me of our Continental Army - not fully equipped but performing at a high level. Very, very impressive group ... Look for coverage in the Brookhaven Reporter and via PDS-24 or Kaleidoscope. PDS-24 interviewed Abu and I hope they share some of this video with our community. I'll posted back here via comments when I see any coverage so you can enjoy it! Drop by the Peachtree/Dresden Waffle House and sit in the "Abu" booth ... he said he's going to bring friends down for breakfast and sit in front of the framed jersey to see if they notice it. He is a rascal!
Most readers here know that I have shamelessly used this blog to promote Cross Keys HS. I have lamented the absurd state of its attendance boundaries in postings such as:
I am also guilty of hijacking comment threads with snipes about DCSS' neglect of and Brookhaven's lack of involvement with this most disrespected of high schools. I participated in "Operation Urban Camper" with DKPD and Sanitation to raise awareness of what can happen when there's a lack of community stakeholders in our neighborhood high school. I have not tried to hide my agenda here - raising the profile of this very maligned school is my goal.
To that end, I challenge the very savvy readers of this blog to a trivia question: Which DCSS high school attendance areas had all of its schools (ES, MS, and HS) make AYP in the last school year for which we have data (2007/2008)?
I've tried this one on a few of my neighbors in Brookhaven and their responses include guesses like "Dunwoody and Druid Hills" or "Lakeside and Dunwoody" or "Chamblee and Lakeside." Many that know high schools around the county might include Southwest DeKalb or Tucker in their answers. These districts have many fine students, faculties, and communities of support. None of them is in the list of correct answers. In fact, only 1 high school district made AYP in all of its feeder schools most recently. Wait for it ...
Cross Keys High School and its feeder schools make up the only DCSS high school area with this achievement ... let me say it again ... the only high school area!
Are you surprised? If we ask ourselves why we are surprised about this, I think we would come up with a short list of all the ills that do affect Cross Keys, Sequoyah and their bevy of elementary schools dotting Buford Highway.
I ask myself: "What could these children and their teachers accomplish with DCSS leadership's focus and the community support they have lacked for so long?"
While groups like the Brookhaven Rotarians have long supported this school, it still remains otherwise isolated in the Brookhaven community and the subject of much mis-information and false impressions.
If you live in any of the few communities remaining in Cross Keys HS' Brookhaven base (that's Druid Knoll, Pine Hills, Deveraux Commons, Lenox Park, HillsDale, Brookhaven Heights, or other nearby communities), I want you to take a fresh look at Cross Keys High School. I will be periodically scheduling a walk-through with small groups of folks in the coming school year.
If you would like to see first hand what this amazing group of students and teachers is doing, please contact me and we'll walk it together.
