GUEST COMMENTARY: IN RESPONSE

To the Editorial Board:

NUTS!! That was General McAuliffe's response to the Germans when asked if he wanted to surrender his American troops at the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. His response was appropriate at the time and I believe is appropriate, now, in my response to Sunday's editorial regarding the Cape School Board and our superintendent.

I'd like to point out that the editorial made no constructive comments or recommendations. In an apparent attempt to "fan the fires" and continue community gossip about the school district, it dwelled on just about everything even potentially negative which has occurred lately. It seemed to attempt to continue an attack by innuendo on the character of the school board and its chief administrator.

As a CPA for more than 20 years, a key part of my responsibility as an auditor is to judge the character of my clients by observing their statements and actions. I believe I am a good judge of people. There is an old adage in the military about finding out who you can trust by sharing a foxhole under fire with them. For the record, I would like the community to know that I would share a foxhole with any of my fellow board members and especially with Dr. Neyland Clark, our superintendent.

This whole graduation participation change has been blown completely out of proportion. Yes, board members were involved with making the decision to change. Almost everyday I am asked by a constituent to look into some matter regarding the school district. I investigate each matter brought to my attention. Am I guilty of favoritism by investigating these matters? Am I to be cast in a position where I can only investigate matters brought to my attention by someone I don't know?

How ridiculous can we get. If a board member makes an error, and yes, we sometimes do, we tend to make the error by pursuing a matter too vigorously in the best interest of a student or group of students.

The editorial board of the Missourian seems to have an agenda when it comes to reporting school board and administration decisions and activities. On the one hand there appears to be a superficial argument that there is evidence that they support the district because they have endorsed the last three tax vote issues. Then on the other hand, a relatively minor issue is reported in a fashion which implies, without making a direct charge, serious wrongdoing on the part of a board or staff member.

You have stated, previously, that the board has a credibility problem in the community. As a board, we are almost completely at the mercy of the media in getting our word out to the public.

Decisions made at board meetings and related discussions are not otherwise communicated to the general public by the district, except through the public media. It would be cost prohibitive for the district to do otherwise. It seems to me the media has the responsibility to be an extraordinary citizen when it comes to reporting the activities of the local public entities. That is not to say or suggest that the media should practice any form of censorship. It just seems to me the media should go to every length to check the validity of its facts and make sure both sides of a story are fully and fairly presented.

There have been some statements made by some citizens and a board member or two that we should not try to pass any tax issues in the near future. As a district, we have been engaged in the process of trying to improve our schools for more than two years. We have dire needs relating to building and program improvements. My opinion is that if this path is followed, we might then be attacked as a "do nothing board". I am not willing to surrender to a path of least resistance.

The needs of the children of the district are too great. I believe we are on the right path for the improvement of the Cape Public Schools. The needs of the City of Cape Girardeau are too great.

The two step approach outlined last spring which included the improvement of existing buildings and the construction of a new elementary building is the plan presented to the board by the parents and residents of the district. I believe its acceptance is acknowledged by the lack of attendance at a public hearing just prior to the last election. Our problem is that we allowed personalities to become involved at a very critical time. I suggest that we try to put personalities aside, think of the needs of the children and proceed with the plan. Waiting solves nothing.

I sincerely and strongly urge the citizens of the district to become directly involved. Attend school board meetings or watch them in their entirety on the cable TV access channel. Make phone calls or write letters to board members. We have listened for the last several years and we will continue to listen.

In closing, I'd like to remind my fellow board members, district employees and supporters of the statement made by Admiral David Farragut at the Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil War. "Damn the torpedoes ... Go ahead ... Full speed." There is too much at risk to surrender to rumor and gossip. I also ask the community to think of the children of the district. They are the only ones who will truly suffer from our action or inaction.

John E. Campbell is a memer of the Cape Girardeau Board of Education.