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Sarasota News Leader As a teacher, Smith said she felt nobody communicated well with the black stu- dents about where they would be attend- ing school and what they were going to en- counter. She pointed out, "You don't send soldiers off to battle November 16, 2012 Page 24 Kids who had bonded and formed lifelong relationships were separated. I am still upset by the way it was done. Both black and white students should have been prepared. Carolyn Mason Commissioner Sarasota County without the proper ammunition." Mason asked each speaker if he or she felt racial balance was achieved in the community through busing. "I don't think it was achieved then and I don't think it is achieved now," said James. "We were named the most segregated city in America about six or seven years ago," Palmer noted. each other." She added, "And teach our children to love, respect and honor, regardless of race, color or creed." THE NEXT TALK IN THE SERIES The next Conversation at the Crocker will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. The church is located at 1260 12th St. in Sarasota. For more information, go to www.HSOSC.com. % "I don't think so," Smith said. "We need to expose students to each other and let them get to know each other — have an op- portunity to socialize like little children do — and they will work their problems out. It all makes a difference when we get to know (From left) The panelists for the discussion on integration's effects on Newtown were Dr. Edward James, Sarasota County Commissioner Carolyn Mason, Former Sarasota Mayor Lou Ann Palm- er, History Society of Sarasota County President Howard Rosenthal and Dorothye Smith. Photo by Scott Proffitt