School board failed, should be removed

This morning’s newspaper, The Albany Herald, brought the disgraceful news about the Dougherty County School System which, in actuality, was no news since nearly everyone in not only this county but the surrounding ones as well knew of the dysfunctional school board that operates in precisely the same synonymous manner as does the Mafia. It is a well known fact that four members of the board formed an unholy alliance and have ruled the county school system with an iron hand ever since.

The former superintendent of Dougherty County schools, Sally Whatley, had no choice but to resign since she was being pressured from both ends, above and below. The board disregarded her recommendations for bettering the system while enforcing their own dictatorial demands. When Whatley recommended dismissal of someone in the school system who wasn’t doing their job properly, the school board merely overrode her requests and kept them on the payroll.

Such irresponsible behavior by board members effectively decimated all authority that the former superintendent, Sally Whatley, held. As a result, those in positions below her held no respect for her or her prestigious position and did as they desired since they knew that the school board approved of what they were doing, disgraceful or whatever. Moreover, Sally Whatley had no choice but to resign since she refused to be a dummy, like Charlie McCarthy, and let the board speak for her and pull her strings, as did Edgar Bergen for the lovable Charlie. Sally Whatley should be considered as some kind of hero since she bravely stood forth, when no one else would, and pointed out to the inspection committee what was wrong with Dougherty’s school system.

Ultimately, the whole disgraceful, and it really is an abomination, issue can be laid at the feet of those who held the reins of command: the school board. The unholy four should, without a doubt, be removed from office with the stipulation of never again holding public office in Dougherty County. As for the other members, it is hard to understand how they could sit on the board and remain quiet as to what actually was going on. In my estimation, they, too, should be removed from office thus bringing in the new year with an entirely new crew dedicated to doing the right thing for the children while restoring honesty and integrity in the county school system.

VALKEY M. TIERNAN, Albany