Sumter school board members must answer taxpayers' questions

Sumter School Board Trustees who voted to reopen Mayewood Middle School have questions to answer to taxpayers:

1. What will it cost to restore Mayewood? I understand that significant renovations will need to be done.

2. What proposal(s) do you have to replace the money saved by closing Mayewood?

3. How will reopening Mayewood affect the fiscal watch status the State Department of Education placed on our district on July 10, 2017? As I understand it, the SDE has not moved us to level 3 because our district took the necessary steps toward restoring the General Fund. What happens now?

4. If you will not close schools where operating costs per student are twice that of other schools, what is your plan to ensure the district's financial solvency?

5. Specific to Trustee Frank Baker: Why did you vote to reopen Mayewood when you supported closing it? An article in The Sumter Item, April 23, 2017, includes statements Baker made in support of closing Mayewood and F.J. DeLaine Elementary School. "Allan (Scott Allan, financial consultant) and Baker said closing DeLaine and Mayewood made the most logical sense and would be the easiest transition for parents and students." Dr. Baker went on to assure parents that the school bus commute would be minimally affected. He also encouraged teachers not to worry because the closing would not likely affect teaching positions.

What changed, Dr. Baker? You resigned, and now you're back to undo the progress we made without you? Was it a campaign deal? Or both?

6. My final question to the members who motioned and voted illegally to close Mayewood: How dare you make a power play like that when we are finally getting our district on track after the previous superintendent's fiscal disaster? School boards put the interests of the community and all of its children first. You put your personal agendas and axes to grind first. It was shameful, egotistical and unprofessional behavior.

SUSAN H. HILTON

Sumter