Editor:

Gina Burgess’s article concening last week’s public meeting with the Pearl River County School Board reported only one side of the story. She accurately summarized Superintendent Dennis Penton’s talking points in his argument for building a new elementary school, but omitted the numerous concerns expressed by many citizens in attendance about the crying need to address serious problems with the high school, which lacks adequate gym facilities and has no auditorium for chorus performances, school plays or assemblies.Many parents and students felt that a sports/cultural complex should be built for PRCHS before building any new school. The cost would be less than new school construction.

Clearly Mr. Penton favors the new school. I sincerely hope that the members of the board will study these issues independently and form their own best judgments. Each board member needs to take a thorough tour of the high school, look behind the scenes, and ask questions of faculty, staff and students in an atmosphere free from intimidation. The board members should also accept an offer to tour the sports/cultural complex in Pass Christian.

The Superintent was elected as the administrator, but not “The Decider.” The ultimate decision must be made by the board, with imput from the citizens who elected them.

Willard (Mac) Tucker