Letters to the Editor (May 26)
McAdams pool
I’m echoing letter writer Vernette Chance who wrote about preserving the McAdams pool.
Chance reminded readers the pool won a 1970 architectural award and its designer, Charles McAfee, is “arguably the most important African American architect in the United States.”
Public safety and historical significance suggest a need to reconsider this decision.
With this closure, the pools where many of us from the neighborhood learned to swim (Fairmount Park) will have vanished. If ever a neighborhood needed its pool, McAdams does.
A 2014 USA Today article said a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found that black children drown at five times the rate of white children. The study’s lead author described swimming as a life-saving skill, not just another sport.
It’s distressing to see another McAfee-designed structure demolished. Former Eagle Publisher Britt Brown broke a color barrier by hiring McAfee to design the newspaper’s East Douglas addition. That beloved old building is being razed as we speak.
I understand budget constraints. I run a nonprofit. I regularly do more with less.
But this decision to close a historically significant pool of life-saving importance in a less-advantaged neighborhood may reflect budget equity, but it’s not justice.
Mark E. McCormick, Wichita
Joy Eakins
Joy Eakins announced on May 15th that she will not seek another term on the Wichita school board. The parent-teacher organization and site council at Hyde Leadership and International Explorations Magnet Elementary School wish to thank Joy for her service.
Joy’s contributions have had an impact on the quality of education and learning environment for each of the more than 50,000 students in the district, including the students at Hyde. We thank Joy for being a champion for parent involvement.We also thank Joy for representing her constituents well. Joy meets regularly with parent-leaders and volunteers in her district to share updates and to gather feedback.
During her term, Joy advocated for tougher math curriculum at the middle and high-school levels and worked to give teachers greater autonomy in the classroom. Joy has been a proponent of additional recess in elementary schools. Joy has shown leadership in the discussion about the school calendar and length of the school day. Joy is a role model for our students, parents, teachers, and staff. Thank you, Joy.
Ty Kane and Rebecca Snell, Wichita
Letters to the Editor
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This story was originally published May 25, 2017 at 5:01 AM with the headline "Letters to the Editor (May 26)."