Tuesday, the Columbus City Council is expected to appoint two members to the Columbus Municipal School District Board of Trustees.
We are encouraged that seven people representing a wide range of backgrounds have applied for these positions. It is a large pool of candidates from which to draw, which either suggests that the candidates feel a sense of urgency to address a crisis of leadership on the school board or that the schools are headed in the right direction and they want to be a part of that success story.
We hope for the latter, but fear the former, based on the district’s performance in recent years. It is a trend that cannot be ignored and is difficult to reverse.
While we have little quarrel with the appointments the council has made in recent years, we have often said the selection process would benefit if more of it took place in public. Such discussion puts the candidate in the public eye — where he or she will certainly be, if selected — and gives citizens opportunity to watch the decision making play out.
A public selection process could require of the mayor and council some inconvenience or discomfort, though, and thus far, they’re having none of it.
We have long noted the critical importance of making good choices for the school board; the fate of our schools and, to some degree, the health of our city will rest with the quality of those decisions.
Certainly, the council members have candidates who are worthy of consideration.
As a group, the applicants present a diverse range of experiences and skills.
Realtor Stephen Jones and insurance agent Eric Thomas believe their experience as businessmen will greatly aid the district as its struggles to make wise choices with taxpayer money. Former Caledonia school administrator Lee Russell Peeples Sr., whose children are products of the Columbus city schools, and MSMS teacher Lori LeVar Pierce believe their hands-on experiences as educators will help turn the tide for a district which has struggled academically.
Pastor Willie Petty Sr., believes his experience as a community leader will rally community support that is best characterized now as indifferent. Josie Shumake, an adjunct professor at EMCC, served for 25 years as a diplomat for the U.S. State Department. Since her retirement, she had been a very active participant in a wide variety of community service organizations.
Shumake and Pierce, in particular, have long attended CMSD board meetings, which suggests their interest in our schools in no recent development.
The last to apply was current board member Currie Fisher.
She is also the most likely candidate to be appointed.
Given the importance of the decision before them, we urge the council to make its choices without regard to convention. There should be no “white” or “black” positions on the school board. It is critical that every seat is occupied by the best, most qualified person available.
The council’s choice will tell us much about what they think of the current situation in our schools.
If they believe the schools are headed in the right direction, Fisher will certainly be re-appointed.
But if the council believes our schools are in crisis, the status quo — as represented by Fisher — is something the council cannot afford to embrace.
There is but one question to consider: Which candidates offer the best hope for a successful school district?
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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