Editorial: On the right foot

By: Dothan Eagle Editorial Board | Dothan Eagle
Published: January 25, 2012

This week, the Elba City School Board began its preparation to search for a superintendent to fill the space vacated by Terry Spicer, who was forced to resign after pleading guilty to corruption charges in federal court.

Because of the controversy surrounding its relationship with Spicer, the school board could use some guidance in selecting its next superintendent. There was loud protest when the board hired Spicer. Then came his subsequent legal problems, which disqualified him from serving as superintendent. In a bizarre move, the school board then created a position for Spicer, but terminated him after several days of blistering public outcry.

This board, however, seems determined to get things right. When chairman Aubrey Williams wanted to go into executive session to discuss the selection process, a move prohibited by the state’s open meetings law, the board wisely refused and remained in open session.

Its most significant action came when it voted to have the Alabama Association of School Boards provide board members with training in the selection process for a superintendent of schools.

That’s a giant leap toward the right path for Elba city schools.

We applaud the school board’s willingness to take the high road in its superintendent search.

It has already gone the good ol’ boy route, which turned out to be a rocky path indeed.