Dear Editor:

In reference to to the letters from Mr. William Gray and Mr. Henry Miller in the July 17th issue of The Herald Independent.

I was involved in the project Mr. Gray references, but was advised by Senator Martin to not participate due to the political nature of my job as Director of the Substance Abuse Commission.

I was present at a meeting when Senator Martin advised the group that he would support the election of the School Board as it would lessen his load but they/we should think about it as the wrong people could be elected and we would regret such a decision, as he would have no control over the board. Was Senator Martin a smart man? You bet he was.

I think that when I told Mr. William Gray and Mr. James Vanderhall that I could not participate that this may come back and bite us and it has.

In my travel on the road of academia, in Social Psychology, one of my instructors in Organizational Psychology stated something to the effect that many times managers rose to their highest level of incompetency plus one. When this occurs the person can stand only so much discomfort and will resign from the position, cause competent managers to leave the organization, drop back trying to run the jobs under him where he is comfortable, blame others for the failure of the organization or join forces with others of the same level of incompetency resulting in a failure of the organization.

In industry there are examples of companies losing money, but at the time the investors ridded the company of the Board or told them to shape up or be replaced. The Board replaced the management, removed themselves from the day to day operation and allowed the management run the Company, and the company became profitable.

As Director of the Substance Abuse Commission for 20 years, I had good board members and bad board members. With good board members the Commission prospered; but at the time we had a bad board we had problems.

Most Boards have no training as to their duties, just their desire to be on a Board or to give back to the community. They attend educational events where the instructor has little or no idea as to the actual duties of a board, just their "book learning ". The Board members are then given a certificate stating they are now a certified Board member.

We have intelligent people on the School Board, but they are incompetent and should be removed in order for the Superintendent and other staff to function. The School Board should not be a "rubber stamper" for the Superintendent’s actions but should be there to make policy and help him/her in decision making. The Board should not be in the position to hire or fire people but to make policy, to see that this policy is followed and to sign contracts.

As to Mr. Miller, I see nothing unethical in what he did as to getting grants from Wal-mart.

I do question the ethics and legality when Board members attend other meeting when they are on School business, call a meeting without proper notice to the public or their fellow Board members with no announced agenda, covering more than one subject at a called meeting or in executive session, calling employers of other Board members and trying to cause problems with other Board members.

I know Mr. Miller and find him to be an honorable man but quick of temper. I ask him to not let them get to him as a man that loses his temper cannot think.

As I see it the majority of the Board are there for: Advancement of their political career, the money (pay for each meeting and mileage) , the prestige of being on the School Board, the power to tell the superintendent and school employees what to do, to see that their friends and family are given a job regardless of their ability or education.

They have no interest in the education of the citizens (children and adults) nor growth of the county, only self interest.

Change will only come when the citizens wake up and get enough courage to make the School Board change their behavior, or when our Senator and Representative pass a law doing away with the School Board or the State comes in and takes over the School System.

Wake up citizens, our house is on fire.

Shape up School Board, or get out.

Marion Smith

Winnsboro