City of St. George or a step back in time for a community?

The proposed boundaries of the new city of St George.

By: Kent B. - MSTv

The possibility of the proposed annex city of St George seems closer to fruition than many would like. And the general reasoning to dispute the creation of this new city, (built within the UN-incorporated portion of the existing city of Baton Rouge) is that it seems to be promoting a return to school segregation.

This movement, started by residents of the more affluent and Caucasian areas of Baton Rouge, began this effort to create a local independent school district in the southeastern part of East Baton Rouge Parish.

These citizens made it clear that they were dissatisfied by the quality of their children's area public schools. Cited incidents of violence, over-sized classes, lack of teachers and generally poor national average school test scores in the Parish, fueled their arguments for a change.

This is perceived to be the primary and often only argument stressed in fueling their decision to separate from the city of Baton Rouge proper.

As the concerned citizens represent more than two-thirds of the parish's tax base, they seek a visible change to their concerns. But, this change will primarily affect the lower economic, minority classes and those who use the school busing system. 

This move will essentially end busing to the new area and perhaps deny students availability to better areas to receive their education.

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Simply put, this change will make the proposed new city of St. George a richer and "whiter" area that once represented a part of the city of Baton Rouge, LA -  on the whole.

Is this something we in 2014, want?  Is any type of racial and economic separation fair when it comes to our children receiving decent educational options? 

And is any excuse or argument to this end, fair?

Take a look at this Frontline report and after, let us hear your thoughts.

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