Dear Editor:

To: The Citizens of

Fairfield County

In 1981 a group of Fairfield County citizens came together to discuss how to create a better educational system for its children. At that time the late Senator John Martin along with former State Representative Benjamin Hornsby was asked if they would sanction such a group being formed. Senator Martin and Representative Hornsby felt that if a bi-racial group could be formed and could come up with a viable alternative to the appointed school board they would entertain its recommendations. It was very difficult to put together such a group. However, with the support of the late Creighton McMaster and James Vanderhall and others this was accomplished.

I was elected to be the chairman and to spearhead this effort. Senator Martin and Representative Hornsby were given the names of all the individuals who would serve and they agreed that we could go forward.

The committee called itself Citizens for Better Education. The committee decided over several months that an elected school board was the route to go. There would be seven districts, three majority white and four majority black, since blacks made up the majority of the county's population.

The committee also decided that the elected board would have complete control of its budget, separate from county council’s oversight with the full ability to set its own millage. This group not only drafted the legislation for the new elected board but also was instrumental in drawing the district lines. The committee insisted that the county embark on building a new centralized high school.

Senator Martin and Representative Hornsby accepted the committee's report and after a non-binding referendum that was unanimously passed by the voters, they introduced legislation to accomplish the county's wishes. Senator Martin also had words of caution and concern. He stated that once an elected school board was in place it would be difficult to direct its efforts, and it would be hard to replace its members. At least, he continued, with an appointed board they could easily be removed by him if dissatisfaction occurred.

Once the legislation passed the committee was then disbanded by me. I apologize to this community for not staying involved. I feel responsible for our current demise. Our intentions were right, but becoming uninvolved with the educational system was wrong.

We did not anticipate that the V.C. Summer Nuclear Plant would make Fairfield County one of the wealthiest school districts in the state.

It appears that the improvement in our education so far has been a nightmare. The constant bickering and infighting has created for this county confusion, frustration and embarrassment.

The future of our children is at stake and our citizens should demand civility and accountability. It is criminal to hire and fire superintendents almost every two or three years for the last 20 years.

Whites and Blacks in this county have become victims of an out-of-control school board, and are tired of the administrative and educational disarray. The board appears to be insensitive to the concerns of its citizens and to act with impunity.

When will it all end? It is up to us.

William Gray

Ridgeway