A Change of Wind: Confession OF A Parental Choice School EX-CEO

By Maryl Brown

A Change of Wind/Confession of A Parental Choice's School's EX-CEO, take place in the life of Milwaukee in the earlier seventy. The story is about two brave young black independent women. Who will experience life on their own term, their adventures will take them into two past Lula left home much too soon, which led to hardship and destruction. Marilyn sacrifices her life to rear her sister's child that ventured her into and educational maze called Parental Choice School. Alone as she labor through the system, she found love and the challenges of being a CEO.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tablo Publishing
• Release date: Feb 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9781922381828

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

Mr. River of M&I Bank agreed to see Marilyn Whatley immediately no longer did he sit stone-faced as when she first met him. Parental Choice schools from the beginning was an issue that no one wanted to be associated with, nor do business with because of the stigma that was placed on them. Mr. River listened intently as Marilyn gave the reasons why she had to see him in a short period of time. He had to take notice of her school, primarily because of the large of amount of business she brought along with the notoriety to the Black Community Bank on Martin Luther King Drive. Just as other M&I Bank branches kept their relationship with the voucher schools in the dark. Mr. River moved toward the brown skinned, 5’7" average looking woman, watching her as she nervously paced up and down the bank's polished floor. Quietly extending out his hand, Marilyn quickly walked back to his office.

Marilyn sat with confidence as Mr. River turned his chair around to face her., awaiting an explanation. Ms. Whatley, when we talked on the phone, I could tell something had happened.

Marilyn urgently handed him the letter she had received from the Department of Instruction (DPI) stating the school called Children in Crisis needed to return voucher's checks in the amount of $444,737.00. Turning back to his computer, Mr. River quickly agreed without hesitation that M&I Bank would lend the money to the school. Ms. Whatley, he warned her, There must be some stipulations in place because of the large amount of the money. The bank is requesting that the DPI sign an affidavit that Children in Crisis would be receiving their November payment. Marilyn affirmed without hesitation that wouldn't be problem and immediately dialed DPI from her cell phone.

Mr. Zach Lenowitz quickly answered, Ms. Whatley, I've been expecting your call. Marilyn informed Mr. Lenowitz that she was at M&I Bank with Mr. Rivers, and would not admit to any wrongdoing, only wanted to keep her school doors open for the rest of the year. Marilyn explained that Mr. Rivers of M&I bank would like the DPI to give the bank an affidavit stating that Children in Crisis would be receiving the November checks.

While explaining this to Mr. Lenowitz, Marilyn heard him talking in the background to someone. Ms. Whatley, he carefully paused, the issue isn’t really about the money; it's more complicated than that. Mr. Lenowitz then continued, What are you prepared to say, or do about the student's body that was found on the school premises? There has to be an investigation.

Stunned, Marilyn responded to Mr. Lenowitz, So this isn’t really about the money? Mr. Lenowitz responded, It’s a little more complicated than that; Children in Crisis has more problems outside of money. Marilyn quickly closed her cell phone and stared blankly at Mr. River. What student's body? Mr. Rivers questioned. The bank will not be involved in a scandal. In her most assuring voice, Marilyn responded, Mr. River, don't worry, we will keep the bank out of this.

Early the next day, Channel 12 news reporters had swarmed Children in Crisis. Neither the staff nor the students could get past reporters to enter the building. Reporters pushed microphones into the faces of the students as they walked by, while school security worked feverishly to get some control outside the building as well as inside.

Marilyn’s principal, Mr. Hankel, walked into her office handing her the Milwaukee Journal newspaper. On the front page was a photo of one of Marilyn’s former students, covered up, indicating that the student was decease. The article stated that Children in Crisis School had defrauded the State of Wisconsin out $444,737. The report also stated that Mr. Zach Lenowski, the Voucher Choice Program Director, inquired of the State District Attorney, Mr. John Mallory, about the possibility of jail time for the improper use of State funding. The offenses in question are the purchase of a $400,000 property building as well as a student's body that mysteriously appeared in the basement of the school.

Later, that same day while school was still in session Marilyn received a FedEx letter from Wisconsin Public Safety. The letter stated that as of February 2004, Children in Crisis school has been issued and ordered by the Superintendent of Public Schools and Title 19 had determined the conditions at (Solution for Children Inc.) an imminent threat to the health and public safety of its students. WIS State: 1 19/23 (10)(b)

CHAPTER ONE

Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb.

Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb

Mary had a little lamb, its fleece was white as

snow, and everywhere that Mary went the lamb

was sure to go.

In 1992, Marilyn Whatley watched with the rest of the world as parents, students, and educators marched up and down the street in protest against the Milwaukee Public Schools. VOUCHER PARENTAL CHOICE! they hollered, lifting their signs as they marched. Shaking her head, Marilyn said to herself, They should be ashamed of themselves. She took a sip of her soda and kept her eyes glued to the television. Those folks have some kind of nerve, she muttered out loud. Her mind was blown at the thought of protesting against a traditional public-school system.

The phone rang, startling Marilyn enough to drop the remote control as she stood up to answer the phone. Her sister Lula's was calling, reminding her to go over to Handy’s (Lula’s daughter and Marilyn’s niece) school to pick her up for the third time this week. Lula coughed into the phone. Marilyn asked, Are you alright? How many days is it this time? Lula replied, Three to four days this week. That school should just kick her out for the rest of the school year.

Once her call ended with Lula, Marilyn couldn't help feeling the guilty for this catastrophic behavior. She could still hear her grandmother’s voice saying, You need to keep your mouth shut, because you talk too much, and Marilyn wished she had listened to her.

Marilyn couldn't remember any sudden details regarding this memory. What day was it? What time was it? Is it hot or cold outside? Why, or why, had she decided to tell Handy that her mother had HIV? In the memory in her mind, they were all listening to some kind of music that Handy liked. Lula felt like driving them someplace, but Handy didn't want to go. Marilyn was sick of listening to Handy whining that she wanted to be dropped off at a friend’s instead, and her whining became progressively louder. As Marilyn watched the situation unfold, Lula continued to ignore what her daughter was saying. Marilyn turned her head around to face Handy as she sat in the back seat and looked at Handy with frustration and authority. If you speak to your mama that way again, Marilyn warned her, I will cross over this seat and knock your head clean off the rest of your body.MAE, Lula spoke up in defense, using Marilyn’s nickname, letting her know she went too far.

Gripping the steering wheel, Lula was shaking in anger as she looked straight ahead. Lula scolded Marilyn, You're way too hard on her; she's just eight years old! Marilyn saw Handy turn her face to look out the window looking angry. Marilyn wailed, She doesn't realize how sick you are! Especially, since we don't know anything about HIV! Marilyn placed her hand over her mouth in shock after revealing Lula’s secret. Marilyn explained to Lula that she didn't mean to blurt that out. She watched Lula panic and swiftly pull the car over, where Lula put the car in park and jumped out.

Marilyn’s tears began to flow as she watched her sister struggle over a sad situation that couldn't be fixed. Marilyn didn't know how long they sat in silence, and it didn't matter. Nothing mattered anymore. Marilyn's face was focused on just watching Lula agonize over what to say or do next, as she sat on the curb holding her legs in.

Suddenly Marilyn sprung up in a hurry and jumped in the car, while Lula sat behind the wheel, looking back at Handy who sat frozen in time. Marilyn couldn't remember how they got home that day, for time was frozen and wouldn’t be discussed ever again. Both Marilyn and Lula were so involved into their thoughts, in fact, that they passed the house three times until Marilyn finally got the nerve to speak up.

Lula, are we going home now?Oh yes, we’re going back to the house, Lula replied. Slowly getting out on the driver side, Lula said, Marilyn, Handy and I will be in the house in a minute. Closing the door, Marilyn watched both of them sit in silence as she left Lula and Handy in the car.

Looking back, Marilyn saw Handy leap out from the back seat while Lula called out to her, but Handy kept running until she was out of sight. Even though they both walked inside the house together, their silence let their Mama know something had happened. What happened? their Mama asked. Marilyn whispered, I told Handy about Lula's sickness. Mama replied, Oh no! Why, Marilyn? She wanted to tell her when it was time.Mama, I know; I’m sorry. Marilyn burst into tears, went into her room and closed her door.

When secrets come out of the closet it always hurts the one who said it the most.

Marilyn felt as if she was a stranger in her own home. No one was talking, and Handy’s attitude only got worse, kicking holes in the bedroom wall, while everyone stayed quiet.

Summer passed away quickly without anyone taking notice. Sometimes we believe that a different season would make a difference, and in this case, it did. It was the beginning of a school year and Handy was entering the fourth grade. The house was slowly returning back to normal and Lula patiently waited to see how Handy would handle the school year. Lula did notice that she had to buy Handy larger sized jeans and underwear. She was growing taller and taller than most fourth graders, including the teacher.

Marilyn felt that her relationship with her sister had been breached; knowing this, she finally found the courage to apologize to Lula. Grabbing Lula by both of her hand to express her regret, Marilyn said, Because I made this mess, I will be there for Handy no matter what happens to you. Lula accepted this heartfelt apology and they hugged.

However, Handy’s reaction to her mother's sickness played itself out in another manner; Handy took her feelings out on the world, lashing out especially at those who care the most.

Handy's teacher, Mrs. Dean, looked relieved as Marilyn stepped into the fourth-grade classroom a month later. The class was in chaos, and as Marilyn listened, she heard their loud voices over Ms. Dean’s lesson. Marilyn saw Handy running over to her desk and immediately bolt down in her desk and laid her head on the desk as she stepped into the classroom. The classroom became quiet as Marilyn walked over to her and whispered into her ear.

Come with me, she ordered Handy. Marilyn straightened up her body from a bending position and watch Handy immediately spring up and the desk slammed hard to the floor as she lifted herself out of her chair. Turning and walking toward the door with her back to Handy, Marilyn said, Let me hear any noise out of you, and I will bust you out, and Handy knew exactly what that meant. Marilyn had to look straight up at this 5’8" brown-skinned girl, yet Handy knew that her height nor her weight made any difference to her Aunt Marilyn. To her classmates and teachers, Handy was becoming a bully in the making. Entering the girl's restroom, Marilyn took out her long leather belt and Handy's eyes got big.

After checking every stall to ensure they were empty, Marilyn grabbed Handy by her arms and threw back her belt to make sure it landed at her ankles as she talked to her.

Every time I come here; this is what is going to happening to you Marilyn told her. Handy started to scream loud, but Marilyn quickly warned her to shut her mouth and she lowered her voice.

Do you understand me, young woman? Marilyn yelled. Don’t you worry about telling your Mama, I told her what I was going to do before I left home.

Lula waited in the car in silence. When Marilyn got back in the car, Lula asked, Did you tear her tail up?

Yes, I did,