Letter to Editor

February 16, 2022

Yesterday’s news that all of the students at Marlboro County High School had walked out of class in protest and another report citing MCHS’s low ranking in the state have brought much negative publicity to our community.

While the current principal, Dr. Watson, has only been at the helm for a year or possibly two, I do not think that he can be held responsible in totality for the current condition of the high school’s record. That distinction must be shared with every parent, teacher, administrator, board of education member and its chairmen.

With current enrollment at MCHS of approximately 1000 students, of which 71% are African American, we taxpayers pay $12,365 per student for the cost of their education. I am not confident we taxpayers are getting our monies’ worth!

The reason that I make such a bold statement are current ranking of MCHS in the state. Currently MCHS ranks #187 of the 198 high schools in SC. Average SAT scores in English, mathematics, reading and science fall well below state averages by a large margin. Frankly, I find this information dismal and pathetic! Everyone in a management or teaching position at MCHS should hang their heads in shame for such dismal performance!

I do not think our kids at MCHS are less smart than any other high school students in SC. What is the solution? I wish that I had a crystal ball that I could rub and it would spout off the answer. What I do know is that something must be done to turn these dreadful statistics around. The Board of Education obviously is aware of this problem and is attempting to fix it. If terminating the entire management staff of the high school is the sole solution to this problem, I would at the same time applaud them. On the other hand, these dedicated people are not the sole cause of this problem. In my humble opinion it has been brewing for a number of years. If the fact that the BOE has yet to renew these contracts is a step in the right direction, again I applaud them for recognizing and taking some steps to turn around these horrible statistics.

Whether the BOE recognizes it or not, they are in fact front and center of correcting the myriad of problems that exist in our community. Education and jobs go hand in hand in turning this county around. Without a good skilled labor force, no industry will come here. Without good schools, industry will not locate here. Believe me or not! These are the facts!

James W. Chappelear

724 Jefferson St

Bennettsville SC 29512