A thorn to administrators of the Lowndes County School District, starting at the top with Superintendent Mike Halford, for not following rules and failing to keep parents informed on several different occasions.
Thursday, a woman was allowed to check out a 15-year-old student despite not being on the student”s check-out list. The woman, 33-year-old Christy McGough, was charged later with two counts of statutory rape against him and a second 15-year-old.
The incident is a shocking breach of campus security that ended with disastrous, results. What parent isn”t quaking in his or her shoes, knowing that a child was allowed to be pulled out of school by an unauthorized parent?
The incident comes only a few short weeks after a 10-year-old was found with an unloaded gun at New Hope Elementary. While the gun was found by teachers and administrators, parents complained that they weren”t made aware of the incident.
For years, parents have decried the lack of communication on Lowndes County campuses. The school district, under its current leadership, will never be accused of being proactive with disseminating information to parents and the public.
Administrators and staff at Lowndes County schools need to tighten up. Halford is retiring. We hope the next leader of Lowndes County”s school district will take these horrifying lessons to heart.
A rose to the all our Golden Triangle mothers on this Mother”s Day.
While this is your special day, we shouldn”t limit our praise of mothers to just one little square on our calendars. After all, mom, you devoted every day to us.
We hope every son and daughter is lifting up his or her mother in some special way today. Our moms deserve it.
A rose to the small army of volunteers and city employees who make Columbus” Market Street Festival such a success each year.
This year was no different. Crowds enjoyed local food, crafts, art and entertainment at the festival, Friday and all day Saturday.
Special thanks to Columbus Main Street”s Amber Murphree Brislin and her staff, who coordinate the festival each year. Market Street is Main Street”s Super Bowl, and many would be surprised to know that just a core group of a few people is able to pull off such a gargantuan effort.
Thanks, Main Street, for a great party.
A rose to the organizers of “C-Town Cares,” a benefit concert that will be held Sunday, May 15, at the Riverwalk. Proceeds will benefit victims of the April 27 tornadoes.
Station Seven Bar and Grill, along with the city police and fire departments, have already lined up bands and performers including Big Joe Shelton, Cold 20, Juke Joint Gypsys, Fast Scarlett, Nash Creek, Taylor Made, and more. Organizers are also putting together food vendors and other activities.
The concert is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Come out, enjoy some great local music, and contribute to a worthy cause.
For more information about the event, contact Police Community Relations Officer Rhonda Sanders at 662-244-3544 or at 662-251-7355.
A rose to Heritage Academy”s senior class, who are rolling up their sleeves to better the community.
Friday, the seniors had their “Build the Playground Day” at the walking track at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, where “Patriot Park” is rising. The 53 seniors worked in shifts on the project, which they also raised funds to help build, in partnership with the hospital.
The playground is designed to accommodate disabled children.
The park is the fruit of this year”s Senior Leadership Initiative at the school. Last year”s senior class built a Habitat for Humanity home.
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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