Just about everyone in our community knows and respects Superintendent Clayton Belanger as the devoted educator that he has been throughout his career. For many years he has proven himself to be a fair, dedicated and honest teacher and principal of our elementary school.

When he took on the job of superintendent of SAD 24 last year little did he realize the financial nightmare he was inheriting. We are most fortunate to have such a person of integrity in charge of our school system.

I wonder how many people realize the tremendous responsibility that is his, as he works to untangle thle financial mess and put things in order. While the majority of the school board members support him wholeheartedly, there are those who choose to badger him and make things as unpleasant for him as possible. He needs the public’s support now more than ever.

For those of you who are not aware of the situation, I urge you to attend the school board meetings and see for yourself some of the idiocies our superintendent, some staff members, and most school board members have to contend with.

As sad as it may be, the fact is that evil exists in this world, and it also exists right here in Van Buren. If we want justice to prevail and prosper, we have a moral obligation to stand up to it. All evil needs to succeed is for good men and women to do nothing.

As local elections approach with two seats open for the school board, I hope we will see a few good people of high moral character and sound judgment. It is always easier to sit back and let someone else get involved.

If the people of this community don’t wake up, it is our children and grandchildren who will ultimately pay the price, as we witness our best administrators and teachers leave and the quality of our schools steadily diminish. Think about it. Mona J. Rossignol Van Buren