I’ve read a lot lately about altering the make-up of the school board again. The Generally Assembly is Constitutionally responsible for education throughout the state, and each county delegation decides how education is managed within their area.

In Pickens County Senator Rex Rice and Representatives Hiott, Collins and Clary make those decisions, and currently manage education through a six-member board of trustees. Many believe that’s a balanced and sensible way to manage our schools, others don’t.

Regardless, the delegation has authority to do whatever they want with the school board. I hope they find a practical solution that doesn’t make matters worse.

I’m concerned with turmoil over the last decade or so, and even though things are better with a new group of conservative trustees, we need long-term calm and fact based decisions like we’ve had the last couple of years. Changing the board make-up again will cause a commotion for sure, so why not just focus on the issue and find a solution that doesn’t make matters worse.

The idea of an odd number board was proposed to prevent tie votes. One side says tie votes are an issue and cause gridlock. The other side says gridlock isn’t a concern and changing board make-up is too costly due to redistricting and special and runoff elections, etc. One simple way to eliminate tie votes can be explained in two sentences.

“If any matter before the school board receives a tie vote and is not resolve by the board within 90 days, then any member of the board may appeal the matter to the legislative delegation. The delegation has the option to address the issue as they choose by majority vote.” It’s that simple. A two-sentence appeals process will satisfy both sides.

A simple appeals process meets Constitutional muster, eliminates gridlock concerns, and costs the taxpayers nothing. The school district is in the best shape it’s been in years, so let’s keep it simple and reduce community conflicts as much as possible.

Phillip Bowers

Six Mile

Chairman, Pickens County School Board

Chairman, Pickens County Republican Party