Editor;
A recent letter writer used the words of MLK to introduce a multi-paragraph collection of half-truths, no- truths, and just general negativity.
“My country, right or wrong.
“If right, to be supported.
“If wrong, to be made right.”
I wonder if that letter writer is actually interested in making our country right, or just wants to blow off steam.
Wolf Knight
Marlinton
Editor;
The Pocahontas County Board of Education has volunteered for a responsibility that is as difficult as it is vital — ensuring that our schools continue to prepare our kids for the world of the 21st century. They have the responsibility to make hard calls and tough decisions, each time knowing that those choices will impact our entire community for decades. The last few weeks have been a particularly vivid illustration of that, as the Board has been weighing budget and staffing issues as they plan and prepare for the next school year. Those worries are shared by not only parents, teachers, and students, but by everyone that lives in Pocahontas County. And after listening to the community, on April 22nd the Board chose not to make the dramatic changes to the high school staff and course offering that many people feared would deal a fatal blow to quality education at PCHS. I am grateful to the Board members for taking their duty seriously, for listening, and for making thoughtful decisions. I’m also grateful for all of the people that have been writing letters, making calls, attending meetings, crafting presentations, and pouring over detailed spreadsheets and the specifics of West Virginia state law to better understand what is going on and what we can do. Most of all, I’m grateful for the students that made themselves heard, giving all of us an example of commitment and perseverance.
Unfortunately, the Board’s work is not done; they have many more difficult decisions ahead. There are many issues that still need to be addressed, and perhaps the most pressing is how we go about facing these challenges going forward. I believe the process over the last few weeks has shown a level of confusion, lack of communication, and uncertainty that hasn’t pleased anyone. Thankfully, these are problems that can be solved. For example, The Board can create a committee to go over the budget line by line and present new ideas for how we can deal with financial issues. The Board, superintendent, and other administrative staff can be more transparent, effectively communicating an overall vision for our schools, plans for achieving that vision, and current work being done to get us there. They could provide more information to the local school improvement councils, and benefit from the wealth of experience and skill people in our county can bring to the table.
Our schools still face challenges, and the Board will have to keep wrestling with funding concerns, staffing issues, and rising costs. But they are not alone. If we keep working together, I am confident we can continue to overcome all of these challenges.
Nathaniel D. Sizemore
Huntersville
