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141 <br /> <br /> On motion by Mr. Barnes, Mr. James Brown was unanimously <br />appointed to fill an unexpired term on the Youth Commission. <br />This term will expire on September 30, 1987. <br /> <br />PRESENTATION: RACE RELATIONS AND EDUCATION STUDY <br />DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION <br /> <br />SOCIAL <br /> <br /> Ms. Mary Reese, Chairman of the Social Development Commission, <br />stated that the Race Relations and EDUCATION Committee, which <br />was composed of a broad range of community members began their <br />study mindful of other studies and .with the understanding that <br />such a study could bring both good and ill will. <br /> <br /> Dr. Robert Templin, Chairman of the Race Relations and <br />Education Committee, outlined the major findings and recommendations. <br />The major findings were as follows: 1) racial inequalities <br />Continue to exist in the community and in schools, 2) racial <br />inequalities can only be attacked by involving all segments of <br />the community, 3) teacher and staff attitudes have a great <br />bearing on students and while these attitudes were not found to <br />be racist, they were found to be insensitive, 4) more data is <br />needed on tracking, S) parental and community .involvement was <br />found to be inadequate, and 6) minorities were found to be ill- <br />trained to continue their education. <br /> <br /> Dr. Templin listed the following major recommendations of <br />the Committee: 1) an attempt should be made to work out issues <br />at each individual school, 2) support for minority achievement <br />should be a priority, 3) increasing parental and community <br />involvement in schools should be made a policy priority, 4) a <br />mechanism should be developed for students and parents to voice <br />their concerns, 5) parents should become more involved in post- <br />secondary educational planning, and 6) the Committee should be <br />reconvened in January of 1987 to study what has occurred with <br />the recommendations ~n the year's time. <br /> <br /> Mrs. Reese requested that Council formally accept the <br />report so that the recommendations could be implemented. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck noted that the recommendations would be acted <br />on by the School Board. <br /> <br /> Dr. Gunter moved to accept the Race Relations and Education <br />Report with gratitude for the Committee's hard work, Dr. Hall <br />seconded the motion, and the report was unanimously accepted <br />by Council. <br /> <br />STAFF REPORT: _DOWNPAYMENT AND CLOSING COST ASSISTANCE PROGRAM <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix stated that adequate housing has been a concern <br />of Council and the staff of Community Development and the <br />Housing Authority have found a program, which would use $S0,000 <br />in Community Development Block Grant funds, which would help <br />people who are capable of making monthly payments but are not <br />able to make a downpayment to purchase a~-home. The 9rogram <br />would provide up to ~4,500~, ~to be used as matching funds, for <br />an interest-free, deferred loan to be repaid when the property <br />is sold. In the event the property depreciated, the loan. would <br />be forgiven. A separate development corporation would be. set <br />up and the program would be administered by the Housing Authority. <br /> <br /> On questions by Mr. Barnes, Mr. _Hendrix responded that <br />Alexandria has a similar program, that existing staff would be <br />used, and that ~the. new Assistant City Manager, when employed, <br />would be a member of the-.corporation. <br /> <br /> Mr. Barnes stated that he had some concern with the loan <br />being interest free. <br /> <br /> Mr. Glenn Larsen, from the Departmetn of Community Develop- <br />ment, stated that Alexandria's program imposes a surcharge. <br /> <br /> <br />