|
OBSERVATIONS
May 28, 2020 |
 |
Social distancing was in place, but few wore masks at Wednesday's reception introducing Eric Bracy as Johnston County's new Superintendent of Schools.
 Wingate Lassiter |
Our new superintendent is getting
a promotion, but is he up to the task?
So much for the "national search" for a new Johnston County Superintendent of Schools. The school board's choice is moving up U.S. 701 less than an hour's drive from neighboring Sampson County to take charge of a school system that's been treading troubled waters of late.
Let's hope he's up to the task.
Members of Johnston's Board of Education certainly believe that he is, and they gave him a four-year contract to deliver the goods.
"Dr. Bracy, hands down, was the best candidate we interviewed," declared Ronald Johnson during an introductory reception for the new superintendent, held inside the school system's spacious Facility Services building late Wednesday afternoon.
"I prayed that God would send us the right applicant," added Mike Wooten.
"I believe we have the perfect man for Johnston County Public Schools," Teresa Grant concluded.
Those three board members are the only incumbents seeking re-election this year. Several of the five remaining challengers for their seats have criticized the board for selecting a new superintendent prior to November's election.
Responding to the warm welcome, Dr. Bracy spoke humbly about his promotion from an 18-school district in a predominantly rural farm county to a 45-school district in one of the fastest growing suburban counties in the state. Johnston County's schools, he said, have "a deep, rich tradition of excellence" that he wants to embellish.
Is he in over his head? Or is he a rising star in North Carolina public education who can lead our students --- all our students --- to higher academic achievement?
Time will tell.
An archived video of Wednesday's reception is posted on the JCPS website>
THIS FORLORN STREET ISN'T ON THE PAVING LIST . . .
If you look closely at South Smithfield's Chestnut Drive, you might think you're riding on a street destined for abandonment. That's not the case, of course, but this view of badly cracked pavement is a reminder of how far the Town of Smithfield has to go to make our old streets new again.
The current repaving project is fixing fewer than a dozen of our streets, and only a block or two of each. That's because state Powell Bill funds allotted Smithfield each year aren't keeping up with our street-maintenance needs.
The solution? Town Manager Mike Scott suggested during recent budget discussions that a bond referendum to authorize borrowing money to fix more streets at once may be the only answer.
Otherwise, get used to more of those bumpy --- and unsightly --- pathways.
Got a comment or a question?
If so, send an e-mail to editor@smithfieldweeklysun.com.
Or, if you prefer, mail a letter to P.O. Box 1363, Smithfield, N.C. 27577.
We'll confirm receipt of your correspondence and, if any or all of it is appropriate for publication, we'll ask your permission to print before we "go to press." If we publish your submission, all we will show is your name and place of residence. Neither your e-mail address nor your complete postal address will be shared with our readers or anyone else.
To make verification simpler, please sign up as a subscriber if you haven't already done so, using the online form below:
RETURN TO THE SMITHFIELD WEEKLY SUN FRONT PAGE