If only the four members of our school board who voted to close two mountain schools could journey with Dorothy to the Emerald City to get hearts, brains and courage. If only. But even if the trip were offered to them free of charge, I think they’d turn it down. Because it seems to me like they’re happy without those things.

It seems they want total power and are working toward that goal. That is not democracy. That is dictatorship. It’s time for a coup.

I’ve seen a lot of public fiascos in my time, but the shenanigans of four of our school board members and district administrators take the prize.

That is if a prize were being offered for best shell game of the decade, the most rigid and inflexible governing body, a board uncaring regarding children’s needs and least democratic body in the state.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought the board was elected to serve the students of Pickens County to the best of their ability.

Four board members have made a decision about attendance areas they do not represent. The two board members who do represent those attendance areas have been ignored.

One of the infamous four said in a public meeting that the public was concerned about children, but he was concerned about buildings.

Yes, that statement was made by a school board member. He cares about buildings. Really. I believe him. Clearly the decision about school closings was made long before any public input was sought. It was a done deal. I’d like to know why.

In the past, I’ve seen school attendance lines shifted so real estate holdings could sell. When some schools got far more than their fair share of the pie, those who spoke out against it were threatened.

I’ve seen students suffering from exposure to deadly mold in classrooms turned into scapegoats so that parents were forced to sue the district and win an undisclosed amount of money to force the district to treat the problem.

I’ve seen high-paying district jobs created for friends and family members. I’ve seen massive raises going to administrative positions while teachers are short-changed.

I’ve seen contracts awarded to buddies, building materials diverted to district employees, and even a board that deliberately lied to the S.C. Federation of the Blind when an administrator who was prejudiced against blind people was allowed to continue in a position of power over blind students.

I’ve seen budgets manipulated so figures reflect what “people are allowed to see.”

I’ve seen information withheld, public issues decided in executive session and a refusal to answer questions.

Who will gain from these school closings? Let’s dig a little deeper. I think the corruption is there. We just need to turn over the right rocks.

Truly their actions speak louder than their words. It looks to me like they can’t be shamed into doing what is right, because they are shameless. The decision to close these schools should be reversed. The people of this county should have input into what most deeply affects them. Here’s an idea: let’s implement democracy.