INFORMATION WOULD HELP UNDERSTANDING IN MEADOW HEIGHTS

The Meadow Heights School District in northern Bollinger County and Superintendent Tom Waller have been embroiled in controversy for several years. Matters came to a head July 11 when Waller resigned. But his resignation hasn't quelled the controversy. Too many unanswered questions remain.

The events leading up to Waller's resignation were curious enough. In late June a petition with 302 signatures was delivered to the Board of Education calling for Waller's ouster. The board went into executive session later that night and extended Waller's contract three years. No doubt board members now wish they would have waited before rushing into the extension vote.

Less than three weeks later, Waller resigned amid allegations that he had inflated enrollment figures to the state education department. Waller downplayed the claim, saying he was simply tired of the battles at Meadow Heights. The school board is investigating the matter, along with legal counsel and state education department officials.

The Board of Education would best be served by full disclosure of this investigation and its findings. Altering enrollment figures, which has an effect on state income to the school district, is a serious matter. These are tax dollars, and district patrons have every right to ask questions and receive straightforward answers from the board.

As part of its investigation, the school board has requested enrollment data from the state from 1989 to 1992. In turn, the education department has requested computer records and student rosters from the school district.

Patrons also have a right to question the future role of Waller's wife, Kay Waller, who worked as his secretary and has had access to the figures. Some patrons demanded her immediate dismissal, but the board took a more reasonable approach. Locks on the school's vault have been changed and records pertinent to the investigation are in the vault. She is also to be accompanied while working at school. The investigation outcome should reveal any role she may have had in this matter.

A group of disgruntled patrons have also called for the resignation of five of the seven board members. Certainly, the actions of all board members will be closely scrutinized during this investigation. Board members may have disagreed with past efforts of the unhappy district residents, such as a district audit, complaints the audit recommendations have not be carried through and the group's call to oust Waller. But the board cannot ignore the group's interest in light of this most recent turn of events.

The board and the group of taxpayers hopefully have the same goal: what is best for Meadow Heights and the children who attend the school.

The students also a potential victims in the district's upheaval. This impact could be diminished by putting the disagreements to rest. Before this can happen, people must understand what has transpired and what is being done to ensure the same problems won't happen in the future.