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The sinking ship, USS Edgefield County School District

A Column by the Editor
web posted July, 2, 2007
COLUMN – Here we are in the beginning of July, the first days of the fiscal year 2007-2008, and the Edgefield County School District is in shambles. The School Board and newly hired superintendent Dr. Frank Roberson cannot come to terms with a contract. Officially, as of Sunday morning at 12:01 am, Edgefield County School District does not have a superintendent and Dr. Frank Roberson does not have a job. Is Roberson looking for a life raft from the ship with Sallie Cooks and crew at the helm? Who knows, but I would not blame him.

Speculation is that Dr. Roberson has his fingers in more than one pie and may be trying to hold the school board hostage for a sweeter deal or special exceptions. That would be a huge mistake. Especially since Sallie Cooks and James Bibbs are at odds with Roberson due to his stance in the Paul Martin fiasco.

Of course, some speculate that the reason for the gridlock could be payback for Roberson’s staunch support of Principle Greg Thompson and former superintendent Dr. Sharon Keesley in the same matter.

Could it be that Dr. Roberson has watched the antics of this current school board and its leadership long enough to know when it is time to abandon ship? The mass exodus of key positions and leadership within the district the last six months looked like people scrambling for life rafts on the Titanic and it would explain a lot.

With several questionable hires by the school board it is obvious there is an agenda by the majority and a despotism being built. I believe Dr. Roberson is above such deviousness and might think his days would be numbered even if he accepted the district’s offer.

What would the school district do if Dr. Roberson backs out and moves on to calmer waters? I have an idea, a certain Title 1 Director who was given a huge increase in pay after being hired by her sister-in-law, School Board Chairwoman Sallie Cooks, could pop up for discussion in the board meeting. She is a “Dr.” after all.

Of course, some people toss around “Dr.” and “Rev” like dollars from a drunken sailor at a strip bar on shore leave after 20 months at sea.

What will the school board actually do? They should call an emergency meeting on Tuesday due to having to give a twenty-four hour notice of the meeting. Will they call the meeting? With this bunch there is no telling. “Some” members may be too enthralled by the Fourth of July holiday to be bothered by something so trivial as fixing yet another problem of they created.

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