SUBJECT OF CONTROVERSIAL SCHOOL ELECTION QUESTION DONATED HUNDREDS TO WINNING SCHOOL BOARD SLATE

Rusty (Donald) Reeves, the South Orange resident whose race-related comments at a school board meeting earlier this year led to a controversial question at the last school board election debate, donated $700 to the winning campaign of Madhu Pai, Wayne Eastman and Jeff Bennett.


Reeves, who this week penned a lengthy column for PATCH on the issue, reportedly donated the funds in separate contributions, according to campaign disclosure forms filed April 9. 

Reeves drew attention initially when a question was submitted and read to the candidates at the Community Coalition on Race forum April 12. 


It was related to Reeves' comments about the impact of the achievement gap on black residents during a March 5 school board meeting.


Video of his portion of that meeting is below. Reeves was the second speaker. He hinted that black student underachievement is based on "broadly culture and single-parent families."




 


On April 12 a question submitted to the candidates forum moderator asked what Jeff Bennett thought of Reeves comments given that Reeves had hosted a coffee event for Bennett, Madhu Pai and Wayne Eastman.


The candidates did not respond, but the incident raised concerns throughout the district for days.


The Community Coalition on Race released a statement soon after seeking to explain itself. Reeves did not respond to a request for comment.