Wednesday, October 26, 2005

David Coates / The Detroit News Officials of the former Rosa Parks Middle School will today unveil a portrait of Duke Ellington, who is now the building's namesake.

In ironic twist, Parks school changes name

School officials say change not meant to disrespect her; new name reflects new performing arts mission.

By Doug Guthrie / The Detroit News

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DETROIT -- Just hours before learning of her death, parents and teachers removed a portrait of Rosa Parks that hung for years in the office of a Detroit Public School that still has her name on signs outside.

It wasn't meant as a disrespectful gesture toward the 92-year-old civil rights icon, who died Monday night in her Detroit home. It was meant only as a sign of change.

At an open house set for tonight, students, parents and teachers plan to celebrate the building's new mission and name -- Duke Ellington Conservatory of Music and Art. A portrait of the late-great musician and Washington, D.C., native is to be unveiled today to take the place of Parks' picture in the school office. Lettering is on order to change signs that are outside the building on East Outer Drive.

"I think all the kids know who she is and the important part she played in the history of the United States," Principal Stanley Waldron said. "Nothing we do can diminish her role in history. It's just that when you think of Rosa Parks, you don't think of performing arts."

The former Rosa Parks Middle School also had been a troubled place, where students were among the district's lowest academic performers. The school was one of 13 district officials considered for possible takeover in 2001 by a for-profit education management company. That plan was scrapped. In June 2004, a 13-year-old student was arrested when a school metal detector alerted security officers to a loaded handgun in his pocket.

Falling enrollment and funding for the district resulted this year in massive school closings and consolidations. Two arts schools on the city's east side, Elmdale Conservatory and Fine and Performing Arts Academy East, were combined and their students moved to the former Rosa Parks Middle School building. Almost the entire student body is new this year.

Tuesday morning, parents delivered their children to school where sixth- through eighth-graders had to apply and audition their talents before being granted admission.

You can reach Doug Guthrie at (313) 222-2359 or dguthrie@detnews.com.