I’ve been reading some quotes from old newspaper articles. One article from two years ago is about groundbreaking ceremonies for the new schools. Here’s an excerpt: “The funding plan was met with criticism because it bypassed the referendum process - the so-called “Greenville Plan” has, in fact, been prohibited to school districts in the future by the S.C. General Assembly. Board member B.J. Skelton addressed that issue directly.”
“We recognize that in the initial decision and funding of the schools that everyone was not in agreement,” Skelton said. “But we feel that once these buildings are done and students are attending throughout the county ... everyone will join in supporting them unanimously.”
Someone else criticized: “To our young people here today, remember the words of Mark Twain: Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”
Later, a letter to the editor said: “Can all the members of the school board be wrong and only Alex (Saitta) right. He is by himself on every issue. It’s not likely the entire rest of the board is wrong on every issue.” The letter was about local conservative groups being “negative”.
Catch phrases like “premier school district” and “conduit to the future” were in the articles. The SDPC, according to the “Greenville Plan people”, would be the model for other districts to follow. They said all the newspapers in the state would soon write about our school district.
Last week, all the major media in the state reported that the SDPC is cutting 100 jobs, and more hardship is to follow next year. The damage is even worse than the conservatives thought it would be. Taxes were raised 40 mils and now, jobs will be lost, too. The “tax and spend people” have set education in Pickens County back several years. They’ve identified themselves. Hold them accountable in November.
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