There’s more to story

How kind of you (in your recent editorial) to yet again glibly dismiss the school districts involved in the school-choice issue as “bad schools,” and imply that the administrators are a greedy lot looking out only for themselves and financial gain.

It’s unfortunate that you never mention the challenges we face. Here in Camden, a typical south Arkansas town struggling to get by (thank goodness for the defense industry!), the local school district is a microcosm of those in urban areas, where if a school has a Black majority enrollment, it is perceived as one to be avoided, leading to white flight. As a result, the remaining students are largely disproportionately disadvantaged, economically and socially, along with the inherent challenges they present. Despite having many loyal and dedicated teachers, it’s an uphill battle, particularly without parental support which is so crucial, but so often absent. With white flight to outlying districts (not necessarily better, but whiter), the community becomes divided. A reputation ensues. Recruiting and retaining teachers becomes more difficult. A seemingly endless cycle has developed.

While I agree with you that it’s time to stop fighting the schoolchoice issue, I would challenge you to convince me that one of its basic tenets—allowing school choice will lead to more white flight and thus more segregation—is incorrect, at least in this neck of the woods.

Despite what your editorial implies, the Camden Fairview School District does very much care for its students. Our district hasn’t given up, and continues to work with fresh ideas and different educational approaches. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix.

Perhaps next time you’ll consider the whole story rather than resorting to name-calling.

DAVID H. MOSLEY

Camden David H. Mosley is a member of the Camden Fairview School Board.