NAACP seeks to develop alternative zoning plan

Hours before the Board of Education will consider a revised school district rezoning plan, leaders of the Nashville branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) announced intentions to seek expert assistance for creation of an alternative plan.

Marilyn Robinson, president of NAACP Nashville, told reporters gathered at a press conference that her organization is in the running for a technical assistance grant from the Ford Foundation. The grant would bring expert guidance from educational specialists, who would advise Nashville in creating a zoning plan that would, in theory, prevent concentrations of economically disadvantaged and minority students.

“We’re saying, wait. Defer. Hold up,” Robinson said. “This is moving in the wrong direction, and it’s the equivalent of adding insult to injury.”

State Representative Brenda Gilmore, as well as Metro Council members Erica Gilmore and Lonnell Matthews, were among those who spoke in opposition to the plan.

Brenda Gilmore said she believes there is no group in Nashville supportive of the plan, other than the task force and part of the “business community.”

“It will move Nashville back 50 years,” she said.

NAACP members will speak tonight at the board meeting. School board members Ed Kindall and George Thompson have said they plan to discuss the NAACP’s position as well.

Tonight members of a community task force for student assignment will propose a revised rezoning plan for school board consideration. The board meeting begins at 5 p.m., and will take place at the Metro Nashville Public Schools central office, 2601 Bransford Ave.