Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Mr. Gerry Giesler’s recent letter to the editor is a perfect example of why the citizens of Greene County need to replace certain seats on the Greene County Board of Education.

In his letter, riddled with outright falsehoods and non-sensical support for current Board member Maggie Kjer, Mr. Giesler questions if there are personal agendas controlling policy within the current GCBOE.

Mr. Giesler argues that only individuals with previous work experience in an actual classroom should serve on the Board of Education.If having a background in the physical classroom is a prerequisite to serve on the GCBOEthen everyone currently elected and appointed should immediately resign,with the exception of Mrs.

Kjer. As an appointee of the current regime, she should poll the court of public opinion as to her accomplishments on the Board and actually run a campaign to earn the District 4 seat from her constituents.

Mr. Giesler asked about personal agendas, so allow me to elaborate. There is a clear agenda by the current BOE to hold hostage the education of nearly half of the children in Greene county. On June 15th, the BOE voted for a new 5-year Strategic Plan which included a direct reference to their plan to shut down Lake Oconee Academy, (LOA), and merge it with the rest of the school system. When exposed, the Board ran for cover, desperately trying to cover this revelation up and blaming the mistake on their “consultants.” However, recent open records requests show that their excuses were nothing but outright lies. Their agenda has always been to limit the growth of the most successful school in the county and their outlandish delay tactics with the current Charter renewal have only proven this point. Their agenda is wasting money on unnecessary new school buildings while shutting down the school located in Union Point. Their agenda is silencing any parent who dares to challenge them and then blaming their lawyers for silencing public comment. Their clearest agenda has been lying to parents to cover up this debacle of failed leadership.

Mr. Giesler is correct that we do need more collaboration between Greene County schools and LOA. He is incorrect, however, in his argument that the lack of collaboration is due to LOA. The current GCBOE agenda is the problem, not LOA. A prime example is Greene Countyadjusting their schedules just weeks before the start of the 2022 school year which prevented GCHS students from participating in LOA’s Advanced Placement courses.Another is the GCBOE bringing shame to their position by delaying LOA’s charter that was submitted in April, wreaking havoc on public trust in the ability of the GCBOE to do their job.

Mrs. Kjer was not elected to her position. She did not earn her seat.She was appointed by the other appointee to back their agenda.This makes her vote in April to limit public comment at BOE meetings all the more significant. District 4 did not vote to put her in that seat, yet she voted to silence our voices.Mrs. Kjer and the rest of the GCBOE have fallen prey to a pervasive philosophy that limiting the voices of parents and taxpayers somehow protects our children and that government knows best what is good for you and your children.

It’s time for a change on the Greene County Board of Education. Listen to parents, listen to taxpayers, protect all children in Greene County. Elect Maggie Combs for District 4. Mr. Giesler conveniently leaves out of his editorial that Mrs. Maggie Combs has an extensive background in innovative education programming and public policy. Based upon the foregoing and in Gerry’s own words, voting for Maggie Combs is a “no-brainer choice.”

Ben Windham Greensboro