Description: Marcus Jones reports that the Boston School Committee voted eight to five in favor of renewing the contract of superintendent Dr. Laval Wilson. Some members are opposed to renewing Wilson's contract and made an effort to postpone the vote on his contract renewal. Footage from a Boston School Committee meeting. Committee member Peggy Davis-Mullen proposes to postpone the vote on Wilson's contract. Committee member John O'Bryant says that he supports the renewal of Wilson's contract. Committee member Daniel Burke questions Wilson about the high drop-out rate in the Boston Public Schools. Wilson responds. Jones reports that Wilson has acknowledged the complaints of some critics by pledging to increase parental involvement in the schools and by pledging to improve the School Department's relations with unions.
1:00:09: Visual: Footage of Daniel Burke (Boston School Committee) at a meeting of the Boston School Committee. Burke remarks that a certain motion is out of order. Shots of the School Committee members seated at the meeting; of Dr. Laval Wilson (Superintendent, Boston Public Schools) seated at the meeting. Marcus Jones reports that some members of the School Committee are opposed to the renewal of Wilson's contract; that those members made an effort to take the matter of Wilson's contract off of the agenda. V: Footage of Peggy Davis-Mullen (Boston School Committee) at the meeting. Davis-Mullen says that the decision is being forced; that the decision should wait until January. Davis-Mullen says that she does not like the way in which the decision is being made. Shot of Jones in the audience of the meeting. Jones reports that Wilson's supporters on the School Committee were able to keep the debate open. V: Footage of John O'Bryant (Boston School Committee) saying that he is prepared to support the renegotiation of Wilson's contract. Footage of Wilson saying that he has a good understanding of the school system; that he has made progress in improving the school system. Footage of Burke asking Wilson about the student drop-out rate. Wilson responds to Burke. Wilson says that reading and math scores have gone up and the drop-out rate has declined. Shots of the audience at the meeting. Jones reports that Wilson admits that he has not done enough to involve parents in the educational process. Jones notes that Wilson says that he will try to increase parental involvement and to improve the school department's relations with unions. V: Footage of O'Bryant saying that Wilson has made a lot of progress in improving the system. Shots of the members as they vote on a motion. Jones reports that the School Committee voted eight to five in favor of renewing Wilson's contract; that the details of the contract remain to be discussed.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/11/1988
Description: South Boston High exterior on first day of school. Press photographers stand around outside waiting for something to happen. Three upperclassmen say it is quieter inside since desegregation furor has died down, and learning can take place. They discuss news programs in the school. Several takes of reporter standup. Graffiti “stop forced busing” still visible on street. School bus arrives, lets off two black girls. Interview in front of School Committee headquarters with woman from Citywide Education Coalition who appraises current state of Boston schools: parents are involved and important to educational improvement; vocational education is woefully lacking; must upgrade reading and basic skills. “City can someday have an attractive and credible public school system.” She cautions that just because it is quiet now compared to the first years of busing, people should not assume the school system is okay; it still needs criticism and community input. Editor's note: Content given off the record was edited out of this footage.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/06/1978
Description: Marcus Jones reports that Jack E. Robinson (President, National Association of Black Americans) is trying to get a voluntary school uniform program started in the Boston Public Schools. Jones notes that some schools have found that voluntary dress codes have led to better grades and behavior. He adds that opponents of school uniforms believe that they stifle creativity. Jones interviews Robinson about school uniforms. Jones reports that Robinson believes that students are more concerned about their clothes and possessions than they are about their studies. Jones quotes from a Boston Herald newspaper article about a nine-year old drug runner who impresses his friends with his clothes. Jones also interviews John Grady (Boston School Committee), Elizabeth Foley (Boston parent), and a Boston school child about school uniforms. Jones reviews some of the benefits to school uniforms.
1:00:02: Visual: Footage of white elementary students in school uniforms rising to greet their teacher at the St. Columbkille School in Brighton. Shots of students in the classroom. Marcus Jones reports that uniforms are a long-standing tradition in private and parochial schools. Jones notes that supporters of school uniforms believe that uniforms help inspire discipline. Jones notes that opponents of school uniforms believe that they stifle creativity. V: Shots of white uniformed students in classrooms. Shots of African American uniformed students in an elementary school in Washigton DC. Jones reports that an elementary school in Washington DC and five elementary schools in Baltimore have instituted a voluntary dress code; that the schools have found that the dress code has led to better grades and behavior. V: Footage of Jack E. Robinson (President, National Association of Black Americans) being interviewed by Jones. Robinson says that school uniforms lead to a decrease in disciplinary problems. Jones notes that Robinson is trying to get a voluntary uniform program started in the Boston Public Schools. V: Footage of Robinson saying that adults wear uniforms; that business people wear suits; that people in all professions wear uniforms all over the world. Shot of a Boston Herald newspaper article with a headline reading, "He's the littlest pusher." Jones reports that Robinson says that children are more concerned about clothes and stylish possessions than they are about their studies. Jones quotes from the Boston Herald newspaper article; the newspaper article says that a nine-year-old drug runner impresses his friends with his clothes. V: On-screen text quotes from the Boston Herald newspaper article. Footage of John Grady (Boston School Committee) saying that he will support uniforms if they contribute to a good learning environment in the schools. Footage of Jennifer Foley (Boston public school student) saying that she would not want to wear the same colors all year long. Footage of Elizabeth Foley (parent) saying that students are entitled to their own identities. Jones reports that there are some good reasons to institute a school uniform program. Jones notes that parents can save money on clothing bills; that students have one less peer pressure to worry them; that teachers have one less distraction in the classroom. Johnson adds that Robinson has suggested that the community can profit by having the uniforms manufactured in the neighborhoods.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 05/09/1988
Description: Mike Levitt interviews a couple of parents on whether they would send their kids to school if they were assigned to be bussed. Mother says she would send them to help integrate the schools. Reporter standup on children attended schools they weren't assigned to because their parents refuse to bus the.
Collection: WHDH
Date Created: 09/13/1971
Description: Marcus Jones reports that a sculpture by John Wilson will be installed on the lawn of the National Center of Afro-American Artists in Roxbury. Wilson created seven-feet high sculpture name Eternal Presence to mark the 350th anniversary of the black presence in Boston. Interview with Wilson and Elma Lewis (Artistic Director, National Center of Afro-American Artists) about the sculpture. Wilson says that the sculpture is evocative and confrontational. He adds that he is interested in hearing feedback about the sculpture. Jones notes that Wilson grew up in Roxbury. Shots of the sculpture and footage of Lewis addressing spectators in a gallery of the Center. Exteriors of the National Center of Afro-American Artists.
0:59:57: Visual: Footage of John Wilson (sculptor) saying that he has always expressed himself through art. Marcus Jones reports that Wilson grew up in Roxbury, not far from the National Center of Afro-American Artists (NCAAA). V: Shot of the exterior of the National Center of Afro-American Artists. Part of the yard is cordoned off. Jones notes that a collection of his work is being featured at the Center. V: Shot of Jones and Wilson walking through the Center. Shot of the foundation for Wilson's sculpture, outside of the Center. The area is cordoned off. Jones notes that Wilson has created a sculpture called Eternal Presence; that the sculpture will stand outside of the Center. V: Shots of the sculpture. Audio of Wilson describing it as a seven-foot high head of a black person. Footage of Wilson talking about the sculpture. Wilson says that he wants the sculpture to be evocative and confrontational. Footage of Elma Lewis (Artistic Director, NCAAA) saying that a man's culture must be understood by himself and others. Footage of Lewis addressing spectators in the gallery featuring Wilson's work. Lewis says that the sculpture will be installed on the lawn of the museum on October 4, 1987. Lewis tells a story about how she told a neighborhood boy that the museum was putting a sculpture of a boy like him on the lawn of the museum. Shots of the sculpture. Footage of Wilson saying that he is happy with the sculpture; that he will be interested in the response to the sculpture. Shot of Jones and Wilson talking. Wilson stands on one side of the sculpture. Jones stands on the other. Jones examines the sculpture.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/01/1987
Description: Reporter standup about recent bombings and particularly a bomb that went off at the Seabrook post office the night before. Silent b-roll of police inspecting damage to the building. Interview with a police officer about arriving at the post office after a bomb went off. Interview with a man about what it is like to look for a bomb after you have received a warning and how big it was. Reporter voiceover about a temporary trailer that is to be used as a post office. Interview with a man about what postal services will be provided while the building is being rebuilt. Confirms that no mail was destroyed in the blast and no people were injured. Interview with a man who received the bomb warning. Shot of post office with reporter voice over about the damage. B-roll of reporter interviewing people, and people using the new mail trailer. Reporter closing standup. Mix of sound and silent.
Collection: WCVB Collection
Date Created: 07/03/1976
Description: Mix of sound and silent footage. Preparations for the Clamshell Alliance Seabrook Occupation, a protest of the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant. Man reads list of rules for peaceful occupation. Closeups of license plates and bumper stickers. Cathy Wolff holds press conference on international support for the demonstration, the nonviolence civil disobedience training received by the protesters, and direct action that might take place after the occupation. Man speaks at press conference on the need to protect the salt marsh area being bulldozed by construction. Silent footage of crowds at occupation. Helicopter flies overhead. Silent footage of the salt marshes and wildlife. Protest march towards Seabrook site, singing and chanting. Interviews with protesters. Police officer directs protesters. Occupation site and activities. Interview with occupation organizer. Protesters talk publicly with police officers about the arrest procedure that is likely occur. Police announce over megaphone that protesters who don't vacate will be arrested and charged with trespassing. Protesters are peacefully arrested. Interviews with protesters on getting arrested. School buses drive away loaded with arrested protesters. Crowds applaud arrested protesters as bus drives by.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 05/1977
Description: Interiors of airplane on runway. Passing airplanes on runway; taking off, landing. Aerial view of Suffolk Downs, Revere Beach, Nahant, Seabrook, New Hampshire. Ocean, houses near beach, serpentine inlets, rough terrain, dense treetops, construction site.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 06/13/1977
Description: Large crowd of people at a demonstration against Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant. Arlo Guthrie addresses the crowd, talks about the Clamshell Alliance, and then sings a song. Protest banners held by crowd. Shots of the Seabrook plant construction site. Helicopter flies overhead. Slow pans across the demonstration site. Solar panel and diagrams for solar power plan. Solar power skit by men in costumes. Closeups on groups of people in the crowd and at campsites. Group of people play music at campsite. Line of Porta Potties. Police stand by jeep behind No Trespassing sign on Seabrook site. Interview with man on the size on the demonstration.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 06/25/1978
Description: Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant is working to license their plant through the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, while Rep. Ed Markey and other Massachusetts politicians, especially Governor Dukakis, argue against it. Seabrook requests evacuation zone be reduced from 10 miles to 1 mile, which will cut Massachusetts out of the discussion.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 12/18/1986