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GEORGIA'S DISABLED COMMUNITY CALLS FOR REVOCATION OF APPOINTMENT

Sunday, 28 April 2002, the Gwinnett Daily Post, Gwinnett

County, GA quoted Superintendent, J. Alvin Wilbanks, saying, " " Special

education is the albatross around the neck of public education, "

Wilbanks said. " I have no problem with special education law. If we

didn't have it, we probably wouldn't serve (the students) properly.

But I have no time for people with their own agenda with no regard for

cost incurred in educating their children. " "

Mr. Wilbanks offered no apology for his remark, but a Gwinnett

County Spokeswoman offered the excuse that Mr. Wilbanks' remark was

being " taken out of context " . Thinking Americans should ask

themselves, " In what context would Superintendent Wilbanks' comment be

appropriate? "

President Bush has appointed J. Alvin Wilbanks to the special

committee responsible for " No Child Left Behind " regulations. With

his callous attitude towards students with disabilities, I do not feel

Mr. Wilbanks can appropriately or fairly look out for the interests of

minority children, whether they are disabled, disadvantaged, in a

minority group or are English Speakers of Other Languages. The very

children targeted by the " No Child Left Behind " Act will suffer most

if Mr. Wilbanks serves on the " No Child Left Behind " committee.

Gwinnett County is embroiled in controversy this week as

Dyer, a long time Gwinnett County resident with disabled children,

banded with parents who have fought for special education services in

Gwinnett and called for the resignation of J. Alvin Wilbanks at an

April 30, 2002 School Board Meeting. Gwinnett County Public Schools

has the worst reputation among special education attorneys and

advocates in the Atlanta metro area for providing appropriate services

to disabled students. The attitude of Mr. Wilbanks filters down. In

my opinion, the last thing this nation needs is Mr. Wilbanks in charge

of drafting any legislation or regulations that are designed to serve

the disabled.

I urge all Americans who believe NO child SHOULD be left

behind to contact President Bush at president@... and

request the removal of Mr. Wilbanks from the " No Child Left Behind "

committee. If no one acts, disabled children nationwide will suffer

the consequences of legislation that considers them as " albatrosses " .

Editorial Opinion by

S. L. Cook, Resident, Gwinnett County, GA,

Parent of 9 year-old with high IQ and learning disability

Mike Savory

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