Ask Billie

It is no secret that I am a supporter of Wharton Independent School District. I believe the direction of education is the major player in determining the direction of the entire community. Education can never be isolated from any other segment of life here in Wharton.

With the resignation of Superintendent Don Hillis, the WISD trustees are giving the community an opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas about the naming of a new superintendent. I appreciate their effort to bring the community into the selection process.

The applicant's interviews will be divided into 13 segments ranging from their experience as an educator, their knowledge of finance, their reasons for choosing Wharton and their personal and professional expectations. It is a very thorough list. One of the questions, in particular, caught my attention. "Will you be a resident of Wharton?" Why is this important and why is it not a requirement of all persons classified as administration or administrators such as principals?

A question of support

Our schools ask for support from the community as they should. Support is also a two-way street. What happens to our tax base when dollars are taken from the community to purchase houses out of the district? Where are those houses insured, banks used, groceries purchased and automobiles serviced?

Lessons are learned outside the classroom. It is important for a parent to recognize a teacher in a grocery store. It is important for a child to see their teacher at their church. Maybe we are all at fault for failing to tell our educators how much their leadership means outside the classroom and in the community.

Yes, this is a free country and we can live where we want, but, if I am willing to take Wharton tax payers' money then I have responsibilities to this community. Where does the buck stop when teachers and administrators are hired? Do WISD trustees set expectations? Do they represent the citizens who elected them to the office?

Yes, we have teachers at WISD whose spouses are with Boling or El Campo ISD, but they live in Wharton County. We are not concerned with those, but we as citizens do have concerns about out of county residents. The budget of WISD is one of the largest in Wharton and the number of employees' ranks at the top or very near. This would be a much stronger community if we were all supporting each other.