Mayor L. Douglas Wilder and Police Chief Rodney Monroe entered the 2nd Annual Youth Forum at John Marshall High School with the J.L. Francis Elementary School drum corps.

After the excitement died down, the Mayor encouraged the students to achieve and fielded an hour of questions about special programs, transportation problems, school closings, and school administration issues. Students were concerned not only about the perceived inequality with schools from the surrounding regions, but even from within the City’s own school system.

Wilder urged the students to continue to speak up and demand the best. After the forum, he was surrounded by students who continued to dialogue with him about their concerns.

Each student received a copy of a report compiled from questions and answers from the 2005 forum, many of which were asked again this year. To view the report, click here.

To view the video of the forum in Windows Media Player format, click here.