CORRIDOR CHRONICLE
Superintendent responds
OUR OPINION
McDowell County Schools Superintendent Nelson Spencer has proven himself to be a notch or two above his fellow school administrators in Mingo County.
A day after being contacted, Spencer has responded to a Corridor Chronicle email asking about the McDowell policy on social media postings by employees.
While not specifically addressing the postings by River View High School secretary/aide, Lisa Compton, the Superintendent did direct the newspaper to the location of McDowell School policies regarding acceptable use of the Internet.
Spencer thus shows himself to be more public spirited than Mingo Superintendent Donald Spence, who has been “in important meetings” for four days and unable to answer or return calls. He also is clearly superior to Mingo Central Comprehensive High School Principal Daniel Dean, who has likewise refused to respond to media inquiries.
Dean is accused of “smacking and shoving” a MCCHS female student. Neither he nor the Superintendent have denied the allegations. The Williamson Detachment of the West Virginia State Police is conducting an investigation.
One Mingo School Board member, Sabrina Grace, has said that she will consider the allegations concerning Dean only if she is presented with them by someone who has a student in Mingo County Schools. Ms. Grace refuses to respond to any media questions if the reporter does not have a student in the Mingo school system.
Stonewalling has long been a common practice for Mingo County public officials. Refer, if you will, to former Circuit Judge Michael Thornsbury, ex-Prosecutor Teresa Maynard and dozens of others. The cover of darkness does not necessarily look good to the public these folks are supposed to serve.
We’re pleased Spencer is made of better stuff than any of the others.