I am glad that the Moore County Board of Education members are so pleased with Superintendent Patrick Russo. However, I believe the board is making a mistake by refusing to investigate the “unsubstantiated rumors” regarding Russo’s conduct. It is a cop-out for board members to insist that there is no problem because there have been no public accusations. It is a fantasy to say that school employees can come forward without fear of reprisal.

Most employees in the Moore County school system are hard-working people who are dedicated to making sure our children are prepared for the future. These people do discuss their fear of Russo at backyard barbecues and Cub Scout meetings and church pot-luck dinners. They do not discuss it with the school board because they are afraid of becoming the target of a witch hunt.

Yes, school board members, our test scores are up. Unfortunately, this advancement has come at a great price, one that I personally feel is too high to pay. You all seem to have forgotten that there is much more to a student’s success than his or her test scores.

So go ahead and extend Russo’s contract. But know this: I will vote against every single board member who votes for the extension, and I will advise every registered voter that I know to do the same.

Cheryl Bowman

West End