We need some Moral Mondays here in Hoover. Tuesdays through Sundays, too.

It is time for people of faith and people with good hearts full of compassion to get involved in this school busing mess and the misguided philosophy behind it.

Al.com reports this morning what we already suspected: that the elimination of regular school bus transportation next school year will disproportionately affect black children.

63% of black students were designated by their parents this year as “likely bus riders,” while 44% of white students were designated as “likely bus riders.” 55% of other races were so designated.

Turn that around. When regular (non-special needs) buses are eliminated next year, 63% of black students in Hoover City Schools will lose their way to school. In a city that covers over 40 square miles, with busy highways and few safe walking routes, a serious barrier will be placed in the way of their attending public school in the city in which they live.

Is this intentional? is there a nefarious intent on the part of the Superintendent and school board to reduce the number of black children in Hoover Schools? I don’t know, but I don’t think it matters. Certainly, there is a dismaying amount of oblivious evil in Hoover. Many of us are life-long ivory tower-dwellers. Some of our school board members have bought into the elitist mentality, born out of the white privilege of always having our voices heard. When the “we” and “they” pronouns are used in the way school board president Paulette Pearson did: “We provide…” and “They take advantage… ,” it indicates that our school board has lost the moral compass that should guide the heart of leadership.

The second step in this discriminatory plan is to offer bus service for a fee. I suspect that is the “solution” that the school system will offer. For those with the means to afford it, that will solve the problem. It will quiet a lot of the concerned voices. But what about the poorest families? What about those who are struggling to make ends meet already? What about the working parent who now has to choose for her child: transportation to school or baseball? Transportation or band? Transportation or a winter coat? What about those for whom there is simply no choice, no way?

I believe that Hoover is a community of caring, compassionate people. I have seen it in too many individual acts of kindness and generosity. I am baffled why we, as a community, seem incapable of showing the same open hearts and arms we show so often on a personal scale.

I believe it is time for our leaders of faith, and our leaders of conscience in the city to speak out and insist that the mayor, city council, Superintendent and school board do the right thing. I want the school board to rescind the vote to eliminate most buses and express determination to do what it takes to provide transportation to school for all students who need it. I want the city leaders to examine their priorities and realize that if the school system flounders, so does the city. Difficult cuts in city and education spending must be made, but they should not be placed on the backs of the poorest families. It is wrong, and it is not who we are in Hoover.

Posted by Liz Wallace Tuesday am.