10 O'Clock News | [Laval Wilson begins his career as superintendent]

English High School Headmaster Sidney Smith

[Laval Wilson begins his career as superintendent]
Original Airdate: 8/1/1985

Length: 00:20:05
Item Type: newstape - original footage

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Full Description

1:00:10
Visual: An African American woman stands on stage, before a gathering at English High School. A white woman is seated on the stage.
Shots of the audience; of individual audience members.
The woman talks about summer workshops for teachers and school site planning and management.
The woman advocates the formation of school site councils. She talks about the need to include the community in the school planning process. The woman introduces Maureen Jelloe (Office of School Site Planning and Management).

1:02:14
V: Dr. Laval Wilson (Superintendent, Boston Public Schools) enters the auditorium and walks up on the stage. Wilson greets the African American woman and Jelloe. The African American woman stands at the podium and expresses the support of the school staff for Wilson. The audience members stand and applaud.

1:03:44
V: Wilson stands at the podium and thanks the audience. Wilson makes a joke about his height, and apologizes for his tardiness. Wilson talks about the importance of school site planning. Wilson notes that this is his first address to any of the staff or parents associated with the Boston Public Schools. Wilson talks about the importance of educating children. Wilson expresses his commitment to quality urban education. He says that all children have the ability to learn.
Wilson talks about the need to challenge students with homework.
Wilson talks about the need to involve parents and the community in the schools.
Shots of the audience.
Wilson talks about the school system's lack of resources; of planning strategies.
Shot of Wilson in profile. Shots of the audience.
Wilson talks about the need to maximize the time spent by students in school; about the need to deliver a quality education to students; about the importance of the relationships between teachers and students.
Shot of the African American woman.
Wilson holds up an issue of the Phi Delta Kappan magazine from September, 1984. Wilson notes that the Kappan magazine polled citizens on their attitudes toward public education. Wilson says that a good school system is one in which the staff works together to meet its goals; that the public will let the school system know if it is functioning well.
Wilson says that every member of the school staff must believe that their work makes a difference in the lives of students. Wilson thanks the audience. The audience applauds.

1:13:15
V: Wilson walks off the stage and leaves the auditorium, accompanied by two men. The African American woman thanks Wilson and reintroduces Jelloe. Jelloe begins to speak.

1:13:50
V: Wilson is interviewed by the media outside of a building. A reporter asks Wilson about the withdrawal of the Judge Arthur Garrity (federal judge) from his supervisory role in the Boston Public School System. Wilson says that parents want to be sure that the schools continue to be desegregated and accessible to all; that he has a responsibility to carry on with the remaining court orders. A reporter asks if Wilson would change the court orders if he could. Wilson says that he hopes that Garrity will hand over responsibility for the administration of the school system to him and to the Boston School Committee. A reporter asks if Wilson will meet with Garrity. Wilson says that he will be present in court; that he does not know if he will meet with Garrity. Wilson says that he does not know what he will say to the judge in court; that he will tell the judge that he is ready to assume responsibility for the remaining court orders. Wilson says that he is committed to providing equal access and a good education to all. A reporter asks if the city is ready to take control of the schools from the federal court. Wilson says that he and the School Committee are ready to assume control of the schools. A reporter asks Wilson if he is apprehensive about his post. Wilson says that the politics surrounding his selection as superintendent are in the past. A reporter asks if he will shift the focus of the school department from the central office to other areas. Wilson compares the school system to a large business in which every department and service is valuable. A reporter asks Wilson about personnel changes. Wilson says that he has not decided on personnel or program changes; that he is still getting acquainted with the system. A reporter asks Wilson about his theory of "practice, practice, practice." Wilson says that the "practice" concept works well everywhere; that skills improve with practice. Wilson thanks the reporters and ends the press conference.

1:18:46
V: Eileen Jones sets up an interview with Sidney Smith (Headmaster, English High School). Smith says that Wilson is well qualified to be superintendent; that he will be a positive influence on the system. Jones asks if he has any reservations about Wilson. Smith says that he has no reservations about Wilson; that he liked Robert Spillane (former Superintendent, Boston Public Schools); that Wilson will be a good superintendent. Smith says that Wilson has all of the qualities needed to be a good superintendent for Boston. Jones asks if Wilson has the personality to be a popular superintendent. Smith says that he does not know if Wilson will be popular; that he has presented himself well so far. Jones thanks Smith.

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