A political action rally was held Tuesday for members of the Waller County community in the Jones Elementary School gymnasium to discuss the controversy surrounding the recent school bond election.
The bond election, which is currently being challenged by Mayor Frank Jackson and Justice of the Peace DeWayne Charleston, was held in May 2007, and allocated a total of $49 million to Waller County schools.
The controversy arose from the allocation of funds for Jones Elementary School, which sits on Prairie View’s campus. Several community leaders have accused the school board of intentionally holding the election at a time when Prairie View students would be on summer vacation and disenfranchising the students who would be unable to vote.
“This is an unjust system that our people will eventually have to inherit,” said Jackson. “We are essentially fighting a legacy of discrimination.”
Jones Elementary School, which was originally constructed in 1957, received only $220,000 of the $49 million, which was allocated to Waller schools. Among the new plans for the school district are a $17 million stadium for Waller High School and $17 million for a new elementary school.
The gymnasium at Jones Elementary does not have air conditioning, and the band hall, which is a small building located across a field from the main building of the school, resembles more of a tool shed than a musical training facility.
“This has been a race issue from the start,” said Gloria Armstrong, one of the local members of the community who showed up with her family to support the community leaders. “The school board just doesn’t want to let students at Prairie View vote.”
Andre Evans, the SGA president, spoke at the event, stressing the importance of being politically active and encouraging students to register to vote.
Michael Wolf, mayor of Hempstead, came to show support along with state representatives Al Edwards and Sylvester Turner.
“Our goal is to teach young people how to fight this battle,” said Jackson, urging students to get involved in the community as well as in national causes.
This rally comes only two weeks after Charleston was arrested at Jones Elementary while attempting to photograph the school. He was charged with resisting arrest and criminal trespass and had bail set at $750 and $500 respectively. Warrants were served for his arrest Sept. 24 and Charleston turned himself in. He was released Sept. 25 after posting bonds.