Doing Nothing Is Not An Option

Editor’s note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Community Times Newspaper, it’s staff or advertisers.

This week we shall address the issues with the school superintendent and the board. It seems ironic all the Black board members have taken a convenient hiatus. Something rotten is happening on the school board.

Let's briefly peruse the Palmetto Youth Academy (PYA). The school has operated for several years without significant performative issues. A few years ago, the school superintendent came up with a reason to go after them, alleging they had not filed a report on time. But after an investigation, it came out that PYA had completed the report on time, and FSD1 did not complete their filing on time. Knowing how FSD1 works with its mostly White conservative board, one could rest assured there would be some retaliation that may have forced some Black board members to miss a meeting where the information would be discussed intentionally. Something is desperately wrong with the fact-checking of the Morning News because they have reported that Black members could not vote when the vote comes up for the final disposition of the matter. We will give the Black board members credit for not being that gullible. If they were aware of the meeting being held and chose not to attend, then that is a whole different matter to be dealt with by the Black community. We will see which one is the case, depending on what happens next.

The Morning News should be vested in getting the information they report straight. It appears as if some little kid decided to write a cover story on the school district. But then again, the next thing that happens will be telling the truth. If the administration, and part of the board, take this nefarious action, then this needs to be followed up with swift action from the community. It would be good to hear from some of the former superintendents to get some perspective on how PYA has done in the past. It seems unlikely a school's administration would go off the rail for no reason.

So, we are calling on you, the Black Community, to respond as if you have some regard for our Black children's futures. Please don't let this conservative board do this to our community. We have been trying to tell you these folks are playing for keeps. They are trying to take our school system back to where it was years and years ago. There has been a systematic erasure of most things perceived as being under Black control. But some things seem to stay the way they are expected to be. For instance, a White principal at West Florence High School or a White principal at Royal Elementary. But when it comes down to Williams Middle, who would have ever thought of a white principal there? We are not just saying, but we are saying that they have the perfect administration and board in place to make it happen. So, please get involved and do not allow our school system to be turned upside down by a person who grew up in private schools and a board full of hangers-on who have held on for an opportune time to do what they have had in their hearts all along.

One thing is for sure; the administration needs to get a good grade for consistently trying to dismantle everything about our school system and trying to replace it with something different. Not necessarily better, just different. Remember the superintendent's attempt to close the Career Center? He has changed everything they offered and singled Wilson to an extra barbering curriculum. They are just waiting to see what will happen to their haphazard notification of getting rid of PYA.

Warning, Doing Nothing Is Not An Option. Wake Up!

Sincerely Yours,

The Trail Of Upheaval Ends Here.

Elder, James W. Williams

Chairperson, Advocacy Organization, Lifelineplus