Parents Organizing Parents to hold first rally on Board of Education steps

The Baltimore City group has a database of about 300 parents after canvassing parents and grandparents of children in the Baltimore City Public School System, Linda Muhammad, one of the group’s organizers, said.

Organizers said they hope 400 parents show up tonight for the nearly hourlong event, but will be pleased if half of the parents in their database turn out.

Parents Organizing Parents will read its mission statement, ask volunteers to sign “I will help” cards, discuss budget issues and open a forum for questions.

Baltimore City Council Member Ken Harris, State Del. Jill Carter, D- District 41, state Sen. Nathaniel McFadden, D-District 45, and Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, among others, have committed to attending, said Muhammad, founder of Miriam’s House, a nonprofit advocating for Baltimore City foster care children.

In a widely circulated flier, Parents Organizing Parents listed its agenda:

» “Register every eligible parent and citizen to vote”

» “Push for an elected school board”

» “Show the undervalued parents and citizens their voter rights and power”

» “Stand united to communicate clearly and effectively our demands to our representatives.”

Parents have complained about a lack of direct feedback into policy decisions, Muhammad said.

In particular, a group of parents in the Thurgood Marshall Middle and High School have said there is a failure of communication from the School Board of Commissioners and the school officials. Kenya Lee, a Thurgood Marshall Middle School PTA member and a Parents Organizing Parents leader, told Muhammad that the school system wanted to charge the PTA $2,100 to hold a fundraising yard sale and flea market event on the school’s property, and parents, in general, have been shut out of the reform process at the schools.

If you go

» What: Parents Organizing Parents rally

» When: 7 tonight

» Where: Board of Education, 200 E. North Ave., Baltimore City