Do you blame them from pulling out?

Yesterday, we learn that five of six candidates for the school superintendent pulled their names from consideration.  The sixth candidate is Dr. Joshua Murfree, who has been…well, let’s say…less than well received.  Frankly, I can’t say I blame the other finalists.

After all, why would you continue to put your name out there, and subject yourself to the scrutiny you would endure as a candidate for a superintendent position, when you know the school board already has their mind made up.  Unfortunately, the real losers are not only the students of Dougherty County, but Dr. Joshua Murfree himself.  As I’ve said before, his tenure, should it go through, will be marred.  Many will remember the circumstances around his hiring and he’ll never get a fair shot at doing the job.

But to the Fab Four of the School Board, I guess that doesn’t matter.  Some have said that Murfree is a follower, not a leader, and that’s why they want him.  Supposedly, that makes him pliable.  Others seem to feel that’s not quite true.   Whatever.  The School Board got the guy they wanted, and damn things like procedure and rules, right?  I mean, they’re elected officials, so why should they care?  They’re above such things, right?

I only hope the citizens of Dougherty County remember this when it comes time to reelect these folks.  We get the government we deserve after all, so it’s time to deserve better.

And to those who felt the need to hold a demonstration to defend Murfree, please.  Seriously, get over yourselves, for the sake of everyone.  This was never against Murfree.  He may well be an excellent superintendent, and if the procedure had been followed, he might have shown it to the people of Dougherty County.  Not only could he have still had the job, but the parents of the County would have rejoiced about it.

Now, a large number are feeling the sting of government turning their back on them yet again.  It was never about race, since many of the other finalists were black as well.  No, it was about government following it’s own rules, the same kind of rules they expect us to follow day in, day out.  But we’re peons, and they’re the rulers.  I guess that just leaves us out in the cold, don’t it?

After all, that’s where those finalists figured they would be anyways, so why should they bother?  I just can’t blame them for subjecting themselves to the scrutiny when they already know a decision has been made.  Maybe next time, we’ll get a superintendent search where procedure is actually followed.

I’m not holding my breath though.  Most of the school board has failed to show me they even think they did anything wrong, so why should they change?  I guess the ballot box is the only place change will happen.  Do the people of Dougherty County have it in them to make that change?