|
Featured Sections Headlines Opinion Crime Blotter Stolen Property Happenings Country Cooking Wandering Minds Classifieds Off The Wall Cartoons On The Record Archives Church Listings Info Now! Featured Columns Dr. Myers Carl Langley Editor's Column Registered Sex Offenders for Edgefield County 2005 Crime Stats Video & Audio Updates Audio Archive (Testing) Video Archive Contact us Contact Info or E-mail the Editor Phone: 803-634-0964 day 803-279-5041 eve 803-279-8943 fax Mail to EdgefieldDaily.com PO Box 972 Edgefield SC 29824 School System EC District Office School Board Strom Thurmond Charter Schools Fox Creek Private Schools Wardlaw Academy Public Offices Edgefield County Edgefield Johnston Trenton Political State and Federal Legislative Contacts Local Political Parties Republican Party Democrat Party Chamber of Commerce Edgefield County Chamber Historical Edgefield Genealogical Society News links Edgefield Advertiser The Citizen News Aiken Standard North Augusta Star The State Augusta Chronicle Atlanta Journal United Press Associated Press FOX News Reuters CNS News WorldNet Daily Newsmax Drudge Report GoogleNews Yahoo!News New York Times New York Post Los Angeles Times Washington Times Washington Post |
 web posted September 12, 2007 JOHNSTON – The Edgefield County School Board has made their choice for a new Superintendent of Schools and that choice has raised more than questions, it has raised the issue of racial preferences in hiring practices in the School District. Mary Rice-Crenshaw was hired on a racial line vote of 4 to 3 Tuesday night against the wishes of educators and parents in attendance at the meeting. School Board member James Bibbs stated that Crenshaw would better represent the “African-American” population better than 25-year Edgefield County School District veteran David Mathis. Some question why a school superintendent is to represent only one race. Crenshaw, who was on her way to being removed from the Dorchester County School District in 2003, quit before she could be removed and then moved on to the Clarendon lll District. Some have suggested she was facing the same fate there when she applied for the position in the Edgefield County School District. Some of those attending the meeting were angry about the vote stating Crenshaw “could not string a grammatically correct sentence together if she tried,” one said. A recent article in The Citizen News seems to support their position when Crenshaw stated she was excited about being one of the three finalists for the job. “It’s an excellent district that been very, very impressive with several of the initiatives it has undertaken. I like the focus on academics and that's first and foremost in the district, but I've also been impressed with the athletic programs and with what's going on with the arts. They're doing a great job in all areas," Crenshaw was quoted as saying School Board member James Bibbs, who made the motion to hire “Dr. Crenshaw-Rice,” heard those attending the meeting responding with cackles of, “You don’t even know her name”. Regardless, the board voted along racial lines to hire Crenshaw over local Dr. David Mathis, who served his entire tenure in Edgefield County before moving to Aiken County last year when it became obvious the majority black school board intended on hiring a minority for the new position when Dr. Sharon Keesley resigned last year. Shortly after Mathis' departure Dr. Frank Roberson of Aiken County was hired to replace Mathis. That was short lived after an agreed upon contract for Roberson to be the next superintendent went south following a racially charged public disciplinary hearing on Vice-principal Paul Martin (who was stated as being hired specifically because he was black) came to the board. It was in the ensuing days that Dr. Roberson inserted an escape clause into his contract that lead to his nomination being shelved. Some said then, and now, that Dr. Roberson did not approve of the racial tensions that were obviously displayed in the meeting. Dr. Roberson gave a scathing interview of the School Board following the meeting to the Aiken Standard. Among those showing their disapproval was 19-year educator Shari Huiet, who was listed to speak on the agenda. At first her comments were tabled, again on racial lines, but she was later allowed to speak. Mrs. Huiet stated she, and other educators, supported the hiring of 25-year Edgefield County veteran Dr. Mathis for the position. Huiet said, “In the past, important decisions have been made behind closed doors and have been made without explanations to the public…many with results that did not reflect the feelings of the majority of school employees, parents or our community. In fact, the school board has been publicly criticized for many of these decisions. While we all appreciate each individual’s right to make his or her own decision, please take into consideration that the public has the right to know why you voted a certain way.” Mrs. Huiet’s request that the information obtained by the search committee on the finalists to be made public were rebuffed by Chairwoman Sallie Cooks and Board member James Bibbs. Bibbs was quoted as saying that Crenshaw would offer, “better care for that (black) population than David Mathis.” When challenged on the matter Bibbs would only state that there were things, “you don’t know about,” Dr. Mathis. Others questioned what “things” there were in Dr. Mathis’ past that allowed him to advance to Assistant Superintendent in his 25-year career that are just now being held against him privately. Bibbs refused to give examples However, with three finalist announced and identified in the press the district is legally bound to release all information obtained in the search that lead to their decision. When pressed further Bibbs stated that Dr. Mathis did not have the, “intestinal fortitude to lead the district in the 'right' direction.” With the racially charged vote some have suggested a strike or “sick-out” of teachers to protest the hiring of what they consider an unqualified hire as superintendent. Whether that threat becomes a reality remains to be seen as the decision reverberates across the county. EdgefieldDaily.com will continue to follow this story as it develops. Countless comments prior to the hiring have already been published in the Wandering Minds. If you would like to sound off please email your comments to editor@edgefielddaily.com For all
past articles please visit our Archives
©
Copyright 2007
EdgefieldDaily.com All
original material is property of
EdgefieldDaily.com and cannot be reproduced, rewritten or redistributed
without the expressed written permission of Edgefield Daily.com
|
EdgefieldDaily.com is a
member of the
Edgefield County New Link Below Information and Activities    Parting Shots A new book by Columnist Carl Langley -------  JAM Straight Customs  Featured Dining  La Cantina   '08 Debate Get involved NOTICE:
We still need recipes for Cooking Section WEBNEWS – Send in your favorite or favorites. There is no limit to the number of recipes you can send in. With the Editor’s wife being the driving force behind her own personal section, help her create an exchange of local favorites, home cooking, grilling, sauces, and deserts! Send in your submissions here. |
