Letter to the editor: Sumter: A Tale of 2 Cities when it comes to education

After reading Mr. Robert Johnson's letter to the editor on the state of education in Sumter, I felt compelled to ask the people of Sumter to support our chairman and superintendent in their efforts to improve education in Sumter County. I would ask Mr. Johnson and his supporters to consider the following: "Sometimes peace requires you to be quiet, even when you are right." 2. Romans 12:3, and lastly it is hard to argue with failure.

I read somewhere, you judge a tree by the fruit it bears; a good tree bears good fruit. Since the county merged the two school districts, has there been any improvement in education in this county? Since the merger, the school district is on its third superintendent. After watching the last school board meeting, it broke my heart to conclude there is lack of concern with educating our children. What is so disheartening is that at least six board members do not support the superintendent. Yet they still argue and blame others for their failure to educate our children.

It is evident Mr. Johnson and his supporters do not understand the charter school application process. It is also interesting that Mr. Johnson failed to mention that Sumter's legislative delegation was informed of the chairman's intentions to apply for a charter school. Mr. Johnson did not mention that Erskine University reviewed and approved the chairman's application. I wonder why there is no criticism of the current charter school and the two other charter schools planning to open in Sumter.

I was totally befuddled that someone would think that the chairman needed to seek their permission or approval before making his business decisions that ended in 1865 (Romans 12:3). More charter schools in this county should give parents and children more educational opportunities if the current system is failing to educate. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for keeping quiet to keep the peace.

Mr. Superintendent, please do not waste time proving people wrong or engaging in nonconstructive conversations with people with a personal agenda or desire to be in charge but not willing to accept responsibility or willing to be held accountable. The current and previous superintendents came to this district when at least 50% of the county's children could not read on their grade level. This means nearly half of our children are struggling to read the Bible. Please stay on mission, which should be to educate our children.

Mr. Johnson, I think you owe it to the readers the number of times you appeared before the school board. Also, you should appear before the next board meeting so the readers will know you are a real person. Lastly, where is the concern for and leadership on education from the mayor, county chair, Concerned Clergy, the squad and the man who stood in the pulpit saying 5-4 no more; was he on a charter school board?

GOD BLESS THE USA #A United Sumter

REGINALD EVANS

Sumter