Samuels steps into North High School lion's den

Minneapolis City Council Member Don Samuels got an earful again Thursday night in response to his recent highly charged published comments about North High School that created a firestorm.

In a special community meeting at the school that was at times contentious, Samuels withstood the scrutiny as he heard from dozens of residents, teachers and students -- past and present.

"I tell you I'm concerned, very concerned," Samuels said after one of his numerous apologies for saying that North High should be burned down. "I want North High to thrive and succeed. My metaphor, maybe I went too far. It was an attempt in the spirit of how dire this situation is. We should change it. We should not stand for it."

He was referring to his comments in an article in this month's Mpls.St.Paul magazine, in which he used the high school as a metaphor to highlight the failures he says most black male students experience in the Minneapolis public schools.

"I've said burn North High School down! I can't be paying as a taxpayer for the education of my neighbors and 72 percent of them are failing -- meaning black boys," he said in the article.

Two weeks ago, he met with North High staff members and some parents; he acknowledged it was a tough crowd.

On Thursday night, the audience was bigger -- some 250 people ranging in age from teenagers to the elderly -- and again Samuels had some difficulty convincing most in attendance that he meant well.

His goals for narrowing the achievement gap got a lukewarm reception. Those goals include a city partnership with the Minneapolis schools, and bringing in noted educational experts from the public- and charter-school sectors to share what learning strategies have worked.

Resident Lisa Crockett said Samuels' comments highlighted a broader issue -- what some think is a disconnect.

"We don't relate to you. We cannot relate to you at all," Crockett said. "Because of what you have done, what's going to happen to those who have North High School on their resume when they apply for jobs?"

Perhaps the most passionate statements came from students.

Senior Courtney Bell, 18, told Samuels that his comments were "ignorant."I work too hard. I'm not saying it's easy here, but you're not making it any easier," said Bell, who said she would be attending the University of Minnesota next year. "I do perform to my potential. I'm not here to be knocked down. I'm proud of myself and I'm proud of my school."

Samuels congratulated her and thanked her for her comments.

In an e-mail read by her godmother, recent graduate Maliza Kalema said she wouldn't be able to attend Howard University in Washington, D.C., on a full scholarship without the support at North.

"I attest to the miracle growth of North's ability to produce some of the best and brightest," she wrote. "I am where I am today and know where I will be tomorrow because of North High."

Amid the bashing, Samuels, who was invited by one teacher to return to help, also received small praise for speaking out.

"If Don Samuels can make a statement and be forgiven, let's do it," said Carolyn Smallwood, who runs an early-childhood development program on the North Side. "We need something to shake things up."

Samuels, who has represented the North Side on the City Council since 2003 and chairs the council's Public Safety and Regulatory Services Committee, says he now plans to focus on education as well as reducing crime.

English teacher Clytee Wells said Thursday's discussion was necessary, and in addition to students performing well in class, it's up to Samuels to back up his talk.

"This was needed," Wells said. "Now maybe he will look at this community in a different light."

Terry Collins • 612-673-1790 • tcollins@startribune.com