The Rising Tide Against David Smith

David Smith is President of the KC School Board and he was recently found guilty of unfairly firing an employee after she raised concerns regarding discriminatory hiring practices. While most of the white people in this town have remained silent because they either have little vested interest in KCMO public schools or they just don't care and would rather simply secede from the district altogether local Latinos aren't afforded any of those luxuries.

Smith's unfair and illegal hiring practices have created a stir in the Latino Community. Recently, in an "As I see it" column in The Star local Latina Rita Valenciano wrote of her concerns regarding the issue and what it means for Latinos who have been so horribly neglected by the KCMO public schools:

"The effect of his actions on Latino or Caucasian students, their families and future employment candidates of the district is profound — that is, if they continue in a district where it is all right for leaders to discriminate."

Additionally, if you pick up a copy of The Kansas City Hispanic News you'll find that nearly all of this week's editorial section is devoted to the topic. Typically, Smith has refused to address the concerns of many local Latinos and he's hiding behind his lawyer and support from various cronies who owe him favors.