Oh yes, I am Mad, Someone has to speak for our Children ! An open letter to Cumberland County School District !

School will not open , are you kidding, here we go again. To read more about this go to :

http://www.1025wowcountry.com/news/news.php or

http://www.crossville-chronicle.com/local/local_story_220163911.html

I am writing in response to article's "Due to budget concerns-SCHOOL WILL NOT START MONDAY IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY." To say the least I am outraged once again at these events. The School Board has had ALL summer to work out these issues. It seems to me while School Board Officials took their summer vacations the budget of our School System was " last order up" and now our children will suffer.

Cumberland County Schools for as long as I can remember states : Education is vital to our children, Attendance is important to ensure proper education. What example are they setting by closing schools ? Drawing a line in the sand ? Aside from it being unprofessional it is immature. I wonder how our High School Children will draw their line in the sand to get what they want ? This is not a world, society or county of " Do as I say, not as I do " Children are led by example at any age. Our School District needs to grow up ! All I see is a huge tug-of-war game with our children in the middle and professionals taking advantage of their power...for what...to say that they won. Whatever happened to the high road ?

As a recent graduate from the Leadership Cumberland Class through our local Chamber of Commerce back before this last school year ended myself and the class visited the County School Board Office. We were able to speak directly to our Superintendent as well as ask questions. As a Mother of 3 children in Cumberland County Schools as well as a professional that relocates parents and their children into our community I directed my most concerning question to Aarona VanWinkle :

"We have had budget concerns throughout the current school year, with rising fuel and food cost's what does this mean for the schools budget for the 2008-2009 school year and how is this being handled so that we do not have to face the same issues we have been over the last several months".

Ms. VanWinkle at that time stated that the issues were already being addressed and would be worked out throughout the summer before the start of the new school year " That, certain programs, field trips would be the first to go if it came down to a budget issue". Well, what happened ?

I find it hard to believe that our School System does not have enough money to open it's doors as scheduled while these issues are being addressed. So far like a broken record I hear, "Me, Me, Me" this is NOT about Aarona VanWinkle, period ! This is about our Children, their future and the obvious education they are not receiving because Aarona VanWinkle wants to say she is " right" ! What about the parents budget ? The money spent on food and childcare throughout the summer or what about school cloths and supply list's that the school district distributed throughout our county for this new school year ? Then in a moments notice, 2 days before school is set to begin we are informed school will not be opened and will be closed indefinitely, basically until, " I get what I want" !

If this is the example our infamous Aarona VanWinkle is setting for our children she should step aside because I don't want her teaching my children to see " spot run" let alone teaching them how to balance a checkbook ! Any professional teaching our children to draw a line in the sand to get what they want should be expelled from school !

Melissa Grant Affiliate Broker Third Tennessee Realty and Associates 931-484-4173 office 931-210-8277 cellular/direct , email lissalgrant@yahoo.com

CC : Crossville Chronicle, Peg Broadcasting