Principal Naomi Khalil of the Academy of Americas, a Detroit-area elementary school is asking for donations of toilet paper and light bulbs to keep their school functioning. She sent a letter to staff, parents and partners asking for donations of items “that are of the utmost importance for proper school functioning and most importantly for student health and safety.”
According to Click on Detroit.com , in the letter, Principal Khalil cited budget constraints within the district as the reason why the school could no longer stock the items. The school is in the throes of financial hardship, as many are in today’s tough economic climate. The district reportedly has more than a $400 million budget deficit and is on the verge of being assigned an emergency financial manager by the state.
The letter asks for toilet paper, paper towel rolls, trash bags and 60, 100 or 150-watt light bulbs. “We realize that the economic situation is stressful for our entire community, but we are asking for your collaboration,” wrote Khalil. “We thank you for your cooperation and we hope that as a school community we can pull together to guarantee the best possible educational environment for our children.”
Parents said a letter went out asking for supplies at the start of the school year.”They sent out a letter for pencils, pens, they put Kleenex on there,” said parent Danny Huddleston. A spokeswoman for the district said the school is not running out of supplies but instead is asking for them to ensure they have sufficient supplies to what they already have. Donations are being accepted at the school’s font office, beginning Jan. 12. The school is located at 5680 Konkel St. in Detroit.
I don’t blame this principal one bit for asking for help. Her heart is in the right place. I have never understood why education is relegated to a second-class status is beyond me. Education is the backbone of our society.
Filed under: Academy of Americas, Budget Deficit, Principal Naomi Khalil, Seeking Donations
Black Political Thought 