LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

To the Editor:

I remember when the law was passed to appoint local school superintendents instead of having them elected. It seemed like a good move, however, maybe not. This has proven to put considerable power into the hands of those who have been elected to the local school board.

In Marshall County, a county that struggles with outdated facilities, lack of textbooks, computer systems that are constantly in need of repair, and a lack of teacher applicants due to poor salaries, this has become an issue of major concern.

To my knowledge, the current superintendent was elected by the people and has done an outstanding job.

She inherited a mess and yet is doing her best to work with the funds and resources of an “economically-challenged” community.

I was surprised to learn that the current school board recently found it necessary to allocate $10,000 to search for a new school superintendent.

I beg each of you to take a look at why Dr. Lela Hale is not being automatically reappointed to the position. Dr. Hale has not been cited or written up for any wrongdoing and she has been phenomenal in cutting waste and developing a focus across the district on reading and student achievement.

Four more years might just be what is needed to finally improve the school system in Marshall County. Our county school system has been in a stagnant state for the 18 years I have lived here. As a former employee of the district, I can attest to these problems.

I have over 41 years experience in education and understand that a competent superintendent is vitally important to the success of schools and to the community at large.

I hope that someone at the state level can reach out and find an answer as to why the current serving board of education members are not renewing her contract.

I have written to numerous elected state officials and asked for them to help determine what the basis for replacing Dr. Lela Hale is and if such a search is even necessary.

It is my hope that the editor and chief of The South Reporter will keep the residents of Marshall County informed and publish the facts regarding this search and waste of money in Marshall County.

Sincerely,
R.G. Moreland
Retired, Marshall County
School District (nine years)
Retired, Memphis City Schools
(32 years)
Substitute (five years)