I question Mr. Hollowell as to how he arrived at his assessment of the Vicksburg Warren School District.

I have taught in the district for 25 years. If I had felt my life was in jeopardy on any day, then I would have quit. As with any entity, there are a few bad apples, but to blast our school district as dysfunctional is ludicrous. Students who have trouble conforming to the rules are dealt with accordingly; they are not by any means allowed to ride rough-shod over the schools.

We have excellent teachers and students. If people in the community would stand committed and pull together, we could elevate our district to the level it should be.

True, our test scores are not up to par at some schools, but consider that we are continually striving to adjust to these tests.

I have drawn the conclusion from Hollowell’s letters that public education should be abolished and only the few wealthy and privileged should have the advantages offered by private schools. Everyone else should go find a trade school and learn the rudiments of manual labor.

Vicksburg is a growing, progressive city. We will continue to improve our public school system. Anyone who wants to go to private schools has a free will to do so. Our school’s are like glass houses — we have nothing to hide. Rather than naysayers and prognosticators throwing bricks at us, they should cast their sights on something else and stop condemning what they know not of and offering opinions based on innuendo.

Let’s strive as a community of parents, administrators, teachers and positive community people to make all of our schools the best in Mississippi or even the nation.

Arlene Walton

Vicksburg