Andrade Calls For Committee To Address Voc-Tech Issues

A group of students will be holding a forum Friday afternoon to discuss racial issues at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School.

While some, like New Bedford City Councilor and Voc-Tech teacher Henry Bousquet, dispute the negative portrayal the school has received, community activist John "Buddy" Andrade told WBSM's Brian Thomas he has heard a very different story.

"I believe everyone has been walking around that school with blinders on and not seeing the things that have been talked about, that I hear about in the community, and others hear about, and concerns that people have in regards to the make up of the administrative staff and teachers, and coaches, and things of that nature that don't represent the total population of the school," said Andrade.

Andrade says he plans to go and listen to what the students have to say, and says once the forum is over he'd like to see a group formed to address these issues.

"I would hope that, after everything is said and done, that there would be some sort of a committee put together that would be working with the superintendent's office, especially made of students, to talk about policies and policy changes, that are very needed, so that we don't have to come back to this kind of an event," said Andrade.

The forum will take place at the school 2:45 p.m. Friday.