Latest news with #CourtneyDavis
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Parents ask Grand Forks district to reconsider decision to prohibit Indigenous beadwork on graduation caps
May 24—GRAND FORKS — A group of parents are asking Grand Forks Public Schools to reconsider after they say district officials told Indigenous students they would not be allowed to wear traditional beadwork on their graduation caps. District policy does not allow adornment of graduation caps, but since 2015, the district has given an accommodation that allows American Indian students to wear eagle feathers for their graduation ceremony. Although beadwork is not specifically allowed, in past years, students have worn it without issue, according to Courtney Davis, a parent in the district and an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band. Davis said the district's request left her confused. "It felt like they're finally getting to a place where it was being understood and celebrated," said Davis, also a former Native American liaison for the district. "But now we've got to go back and suppress the students' ability to express their identity and their culture." The district's Native American Parent Committee plans to meet Tuesday to discuss the issue with district officials. Melissa Bakke, a spokesperson for the district, confirmed to the Grand Forks Herald that the graduates are expected to dress "in an appropriate manner," requiring cap, gown, tassel and shoes, and that "no other personal additions shall be allowed other than school-issued stoles of honor without prior permission of the administration." "At Grand Forks Public Schools, we value all students, including the meaningful traditions of our Indigenous communities," Bakke said in a statement. "With that in mind, we are actively exploring how Grand Forks Public Schools can continue to honor and celebrate all students in meaningful and respectful ways. ... As we review our practices, including those related to graduation ceremonies, our focus is on maintaining the dignity and formality of the event while ensuring it reflects the values of our GFPS school community." North Dakota Century Code says school districts may not establish a dress code that prohibits students from wearing traditional tribal regalia at graduation, and specifies that for the purposes of the law, regalia refers to an eagle feather or eagle plume. The law is written to give districts local control, said Davis, who successfully pushed for the eagle feather accommodation in Grand Forks as a district employee more than 10 years ago. The state law followed in 2019. Davis said she hasn't yet had a conversation with district officials about the issue, so she can't guess what the reason is for their decision on beadwork. In the past, those against allowing graduation cap decorations argued they could isolate or exclude some students, or could become disruptive. Davis and others in favor argue that graduation rates for American Indian students in the district and state are low, and allowing graduates to wear traditional adornment is an important way to instill a sense of pride. The district does offer an alternative graduation to celebrate the achievements of Indigenous students, Davis noted. Davis and other parents have been encouraging people in the district to write letters of support to district officials ahead of the Tuesday meeting. She has also been in touch with the Native American Rights Fund, which helped her change the district policy in 2015. She's hopeful for a positive conversation on Tuesday with district officials. "I just want to make sure that people are conveying why it's important and significant, in a good way," she said.
CBC
17-04-2025
- Health
- CBC
Majority of drug-related deaths can be prevented with care and response, advocates say
On CBC Radio's The Signal, advocates spoke of the impact the drug trade is having on people and vulnerable communities. Thrive co-ordinator Courtney Davis says it hurts to see predictions of increasing overdoses come true, but deaths could still be preventable in the future.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
Man sentenced over 7 years for alleged involvement of trafficking drugs
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Tennessee man was sentenced to over seven years in prison for his involvement in the conspiracy to traffic fentanyl and methamphetamine in the Memphis area. According to the United States Attorney's Office, Courtney Davis, 28, also known as Geo and Geo Grape, conspired with co-defendant Brian Lackland, also known as Stupid Duke, Spooky Duke, Duke, and Homework, and others were involved in the distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine. The attorney's office's investigation targeted a Memphis-based gang, Young Mob, also known as Young Mob Military, and its involvement in the trafficking of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Man sentenced to over 70 years for deadly Humboldt High School shooting According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2024, investigators and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Memphis Multiagency Gang Unit began court-authorized wiretaps. ATF and MMGU reported that Davis was intercepted multiple times discussing with Lackland about the acquisition and distribution of 'blues,' which are fentanyl pills that resembled blue 30-milligram oxycodone pills. The USAO says Davis was responsible for the acquisition and distribution of approximately 90 grams of fentanyl and 1,360 grams of methamphetamine. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
42 layoffs thin schools' counselor, other ranks
Feb. 17—Forty-two Mesa Public Schools teachers and counselors last week were handed pink slips, effective May 23. The Governing Board also approved cutting 147 district-level positions, including three administrative roles such as department directors. The district spokeswoman said she didn't yet have information on what those positions are and how many were vacant and how many were filled. "I'd like to express my sorrow that we're in a position that necessitates a reduction," board President Courtney Davis said. "It's been a rough couple of weeks as we've gone through this process and this is not an easy time." Approximately 100 certified staff also will be transferred to other schools to roles that they are qualified, the district said. Necessitating the layoffs is an anticipated loss of 1,800 students, amounting to a $16.7 million drop in funding for the state's largest school district next academic year. Overall MPS, which also is dealing with rising operating costs, had to close a $18-million spending gap. The bulk, or 90%, of the district's budget is tied to pay. With the job cuts, the district still maintained staffing at 50% certified staff, 48% classified staff and 2% administrative staff. The 42 people let go comprised about 1.1% of the district's certified staff, according to Justin Wing, assistant superintendent of Human Resources. He said every effort was made to reduce the number of layoffs such as asking employees who planned on leaving or retiring to give notice early. "We'll continue to monitor resignations retirements as we move forward in the school year," Wing said. Tenure and seniority were not used in determining the layoffs. Instead the cuts were based on each employee's evaluated performance and past disciplines or if their job was being eliminated. "I find it ironic that we celebrated counselors last week and yet so many of the folks that are being riffed are counselors," board member Marcie Hutchinson said. "I was a candidate in 2018 when kids came to us begging for counselors. "We know how valuable counselors are to our principals but we also know how valuable they are to our families and to the well-being of our children," she continued. "I wish we could provide counselors for our kids but we just don't have the funds to do it and it really pains me to vote on so many counselors from the high school level to the elementary level because they have been incredibly valuable in helping us recover from COVID and facing the situations that we have in our society today." Of the 42 certified staff laid off, 20 are counselors. The district also laid off PE teachers, social studies teachers, a music teacher, a social worker and two Chinese language teachers. Hutchinson asked if there was any chance of the district rehiring the staff if the state's Classroom Site Fund becomes available or if the state Legislature appropriates more funds. She said that a majority of the staff in the district's last big layoff in 2008 were hired back. There was some possibility with the Classroom Site Fund but he didn't hold too much hope in that, said Scott Thompson, assistant superintendent of Business and Support Services. He said the stronger option was banking on more money from the Legislature. "Remember we've estimated all this based on the information we have here in February," Thompson said. "And some of the state's budget's not done yet. "There's still variables. We're very early, which is good because we've notified people early but we're also making a lot of decisions before we have all the answers." According to Wing, the district's Path2Teach program could be an option for displaced employees to train for other certified positions such as in special education. He also noted that impacted employees can be candidates if there are openings. "We're going to have certified openings," Wing said. "For example, we're going to have special-education openings." Classify staff that are being laid off also can find a different role in the district, according to Wing. "We are always needing bus drivers," he said. "So individuals who may not aspire to be a bus driver or knew that we provide CDL training at no cost may be inspired to do that to remain a Mesa Public Schools employee." Meredith Bleak was one of three speakers talking about the reduction in force. "We're losing enough teachers for an elementary school," she said. "I don't see a principal's name on here." She questioned if the district was being fiscally responsible for implementing block scheduling, which "we've been told is going to cost more in the beginning and in the long run, especially when it's arbitrary and self-imposed." "Perhaps if we didn't do block schedule we could save people's jobs," Bleak continued A block schedule is a restructuring of the traditional school day where classes are organized into longer periods, typically 80-90 minutes. It allows for more in-depth instruction and fewer transitions between classes throughout the day, according to the district. That scheduling system was rolled out in the 2024-25 school year at Dobson, Skyline and Westwood high campuses. Mark Kimball noted that the district is touting a low birth rate for the decline in student population and needs to be honest why it's happening. "What's interesting is why is there a low birth rate," Kimball said. "Why does Mesa Public Schools seem to allow teachers and staff to promote lifestyles that don't bear fruit? "What's worked in Mesa for pretty much a century is young man marries young woman, they stay in Mesa, have a bunch of kids. "Now we're seeing that whole thing being challenged now because of what's being promoted. These kids are, in many situations, confused. I think we're seeing some clarity in our country at this point about that confusion." He also accused the teachers' union of being "in lock step sometimes with Planned Parenthood that takes over 12,0000 lives through abortion." "How many of those would be added to the rolls of Mesa Public Schools. It's a hard issue but it needs to be looked at seriously."
