Editorial: Athletes bring wins to BHS when the district needs it

Real Estate agents have complained that all the negative publicity about the Van Buren Public Schools is hurting their business. Young families don’t want to move into a troubled district, even if it does have a state-of-the-art high school.
People send us stories, saying they have good news that can counteract all the bad news about the schools.
And, that’s what happened when a father of a swimmer who had done very well in competition sent us an email about the swim/dive team and its recent win. He invited us to call the coach for more information and we got a picture, with the coach in his street clothes being dunked by his celebrating swimmers, and a story about their win.
Then, other stories were provided by the interim athletic director about the ongoing wins of the men’s and women’s basketball teams. More stories and pictures are coming.
This is all good news and the students and parents are celebrating. Some of these students are looking at athletic scholarships and they are happy.
All this celebrating doesn’t really cover up the angst over the Fabulous Five teachers removed from Savage Elementary School by a vengeful former superintendent. One of those teachers lost 30 pounds since being removed. Who can swallow under such stress? The school board has to take control of the situation or voters will take control of the board.