Wise County School Board members listened quietly Tuesday as two speakers expressed fears the school system is not healing from the controversial recommendation to close three high schools, made and rescinded in March.
Audience members murmured words of encouragement and applauded as St. Paul native Monty Salyer addressed the board. About 60 people turned out for the meeting, held this month at St. Paul High School.
"I have read in The Coalfield that board members vow to continue to press issues that keep our communities divided," said Salyer, who is running in this fall's school board election.
Four months have passed since the "infamous" March school board meeting, which was attended by about 1,000 people, Salyer said. Board members promised healing after the controversy.
In interviews after the board's June meeting, board member Robert Mullins of District One promised to continue pushing for a committee to study county high schools and for a closer look at the feasibility of charging tuition for students who do not live in Wise County. The proposed committee was voted down, and the tuition issue was not added to the agenda for Tuesday's meeting. Mullins was absent from the meeting, citing an illness in the family.
"I implore you to redirect such energies," Salyer said. "I encourage you to vow to find things such as the best superintendent for our Wise County students, to enhance the quality of education for all Wise County students," he added.
Chad Anderson of Castlewood, who spoke after Salyer, agreed and offered the board a suggestion.
"I would like to ask that you folks not take any action whatsoever toward the future, whether it be consolidation or tuition, until the new board is elected," Anderson said. The election, he added, gives the citizens a chance to vote for board members who will represent their opinions.
"You should keep our schools running and our students safe," Anderson said, "but since we can't seem to work this problem out, I would respectfully ask you not to take any more action."
School board members should decide what kind of legacy they want to leave behind, Salyer said. He added that District Four board member Ann Gregory, who will not seek re-election, has already established her legacy with almost 30 years of service.
"The remainder of you," both those who will remain on the board and those who will not, Salyer said, have a choice to make.
"What will be your legacy? Will it be to promote healing and lead our school system, or will it be to maintain a division between our communities?" Salyer asked.
MADAM CHAIRMAN?
Board Chairman Margaret Craft thanked each man for speaking to the board.
After thanking Salyer, Craft said she would like to "clear up something that seems to be a problem."
"Madam Chairman" is the correct way to address a woman who is chairman of a board, Craft said. Salyer had addressed her as "Madam Chairwoman" at the outset of his speech.
"'Chairwoman' is not really necessary, and it isn't preferred if you look it up in the books," Craft said.
Salyer apologized, and said he had looked up the matter on the Internet and had found both "Madam Chairman" and "Madam Chairwoman" both were acceptable.
"I don't know what your source was," Craft said. "I would appreciate being called 'Madam Chairman.' This is just to clarify, because several people had been wondering what to say. Some of it was derogatory."
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