Meeting Monday, May 5

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF LOCATION: We will meet at the Hudson Opera House, 327 Warren Street.

The Columbia-Greene NAACP will hold a special meeting 6 p.m. Monday at 401 State Street.

The primary focus of the meeting will be to hear from Marian Ahlstedt. Marian is a long-time friend and colleague of Alan Skerrett. She holds a Masters degree in social work, and was employed by the New York City Department of Mental Health before she retired to Florida. Ms. Ahlstedt currently lives and works in a suburb of Fort Myers, where she is employed as a substitute teacher.

In addition to her work as a teacher, Marian is part of a community actively dealing with similar issues to those faced by families with children enrolled in the Hudson City School District -- out-of-school suspension, inconsistent disciplinary practices, over-classification of students into special education, etc. Alan asked her to join us and share some of these experiences, and to speak about the strategies she and her colleagues are using to advocate for change. It should make for an interesting discussion.

If time allows, we will also have a report from Alan and James White on their attendance at the NAACP regional meeting and their conversation with Ann Pope. Hope to see you Monday.