AdvancED report results overblown

Dear Editor,

I have read about the reaction to the AdvancED report and have attended Pickens County school board meetings.

Like with most audits, AdvancED made some recommendations and requirements for improvement. Normally, those recommendations are taken and requirements are met. I expect the same thing this time.

Does anyone believe AdvancED will not renew the accreditation of our school district? It has recommended accreditation. AdvancED’s purpose is to insure educational quality. How would its creditability look when it accredits some of the worst performing districts South Carolina, but denies accreditation to one of the top districts because some board members aren’t parroting the education establishment’s mantras or they fail to attend “educational” junkets in places like Myrtle Beach? AdvancED would look even more political than it does now.

In our free democracy, how our elected officials vote and discuss the issues is not for AdvancED to evaluate. That judgment is reserved for the people at the next election.

Why AdvancED, retired principals and the Manufacturers Caring For Pickens County have politicized this routine audit I do not know. They claim to love the school district, but their political antics are harming the district. It reminds me of a riot where residents burn down their own town just to make some political point.

I do agree with the retired principals about one thing. Change is needed. We need more charter schools, school choice and virtual schools. Parents need more choices in education than the same old thing.

Weldon Clark

Liberty