JAG:

Your humble opinion is certainly welcome and respected. So I think it is fair to say I owe you and the other bloggers an explanation for my ire.

First, allow me to preface with an invitation for anybody interested to read “Hall County School System" by Southerngirl. The original post did not strike me nearly as bothersome as her subsequent remarks. What did bug me quite a bit was the indignant reference in the latter about minorities (which I have reposted herewith and with explanations).

I just read the latest by Hallconcern who mentioned the redistricting debacle in which some of the most horrid behavior in recent local history reared its ugly head. I’m not going into much more detail than that- the wound has been reopened enough already.

Here is what Southerngirl wrote in a remark subsequent to her original post:

“In the past few years, our socioeconomic status went down when our minority levels increased."

She may deny it, but I believe this gratuitous jab was a direct reference to the redistricting in which Mount Vernon had to take in a few lower income families (to their chagrin). But even at face value, suggesting funding in her school is down because of the low “socioeconomic status" of minorities is utterly ridiculous and, in my opinion, distasteful.
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Southerngirl also wrote:

“There is absolutely nothing wrong with parents at our school getting together and raising money for improvements that aren't covered by funds given to us. It's called fundraising."

No, there’s nothing wrong with it, and yes, we know it is called fundraising. We also know we can move if we don’t like it. And finally, we know we can start our own school charity instead of complaining (as if the two are mutually exclusive). Condescending? Shallow?

Finally, keep context and premise in mind here. Southerngirl’s blog was in response to those of us writing about the state of the overall school system. She even named her blog “Hall County School System". But right after she slams the other schools in the system for not having high standards, she goes into how great her school is. The point is, her premise was about Hall County schools, but all the content relates to Mount Vernon. So, o.k., sanctimonious might be a tiny bit strong, but isolationist? I think so.

As to the rest, Southerngirl evidently donates her time and money to her school and to needy families. She is to be admired for that, truly. She thinks Mount Vernon is an outstanding school- I agree, it is a great school. It’s just that the focus has to be larger than just Mount Vernon.

J.G.