Interestingly

enough, a prudent rational person would conclude that

direction should have been established prior to seeking a

$90 million tax referendum. Was direction not established

prior to deciding on a referendum or was that a ploy on

the part of the board to procure more money? Their

appetite for spending is unsurpassed.

Within the

past few years the board has procured a bond referendum

of $58 million. They overspent the budget and never

completed the assigned projects. Then just over a year

ago, the board asked the citizens to approve a SPLOST to

give them more money. The cost alone for that election

was estimated between $35 and $40 thousand. The SPLOST

was defeated, but the few thousands of dollars was

wasted.

Next, the

board hired a consultant (headhunter if you like) to find

a new superintendent. None of the work done by the

consultant bore fruit. None of the persons selected for

the job by the consultant were interviewed. It seems that

the direction was already determined then, too. And, yes,

more money was wasted. But wait, there is another SPLOST

vote on the horizon and another $35 to $40 thousand down

the drain.

Now it

seems that the board needs a retreat. They have hired a

facilitator and they have procured hotel accommodations

to achieve that purpose. Again more money is being spent

out of the record budget recently approved. This, my

friends, is money that could go toward educating our

young people. Somehow the board cannot find money within

its budget to make needed repairs in the schools. Or they

don't have funds to finish the South Complex. Or they

can't improve security within the schools for lack of

money without a SPLOST. It is not at all clear why they

have money for a retreat!

When

Starr's Mill High School football team returned from

camp, the players donned t-shirts that were lettered with

three words - consistency confirms commitment. Our

board of education could learn from this slogan. Thus far

it has not been consistent in anything except spending

money. I see no consistency in computer technology

through the system, no consistency in completing the

promised construction, no consistency in improvement in

test scores, and no consistency in planning.

Even the

deterioration of the facilities that already exist leads

one to believe that there is no consistency in method or

intent to protect the taxpayers' investment. If the

current facilities cannot be maintained properly with

existing budget, how pray tell can additional facilities

be maintained without significantly increasing the

budget? Where is the consistency?

The feeble

slogan, "Support Education, vote Yes," or,

"Our Kids Matter," that will be paraded before

the taxpayers to browbeat them into passing the SPLOST

makes me want to send money to feed the starving babies

in Biafra.

To truly do

something for the children, let's show them consistency

and commitment. Let's show them fiscal responsibility.

Let's demonstrate that money will not solve the world's

problems, nor will it solve those of the board of

education. Let's show them that we are smart enough to

make things better without breaking the bank. And let us

provide a quality education of the highest magnitude,

that positions them for the market place and colleges of

tomorrow by consistently improving the quality of the

classes, the course selection, and the standards expected

of them.

I would be

ashamed to tell my children that the money that was

squandered on a retreat was more wisely spent than

providing a quality appearance for the school. I would be

ashamed to tell my children that the money spent for

elections and SPLOSTs was more important than having

access to computer technology. And, I would be ashamed to

tell my children that our board of education could not

live up to its commitment and fulfill its existing

promises. If you think about it, you would be ashamed,

too.

Recently, I

attended a meeting where the qualities of the

superintendent were extolled. It was indicated that we

should trust in his guidance because he has integrity. I

am always suspect when someone tells me about a quality

that should be obvious. But integrity, like consistency,

must be demonstrated. Once it is present, no one needs to

emphasize that fact. It is obvious.

For the

superintendent and the board, earn respect and

demonstrate integrity by consistent, stable behavior that

fulfills promises and obligations. When that occurs, we,

the taxpayers, will measure the level of integrity

through your consistency and commitment to detail.

Consistency does confirm commitment. And, that

establishes integrity and respect.

I think it

is time that we receive commitment from our board, not

loose words. It is time to improve the education by

example, not fiscal irresponsibility. It is time the

young people understand that planning before the fact

leads to responsible decisions that are consistent. And,

that confirms commitment. This valuable lesson doesn't

cost a dime.

William

H. Moon

Fayetteville

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