Sometimes when writing a column, what you mean to say is not always accurately conveyed by what is written. It was brought to my attention that the message within my last column regarding the school board selection process was unclear, and therefore has been misinterpreted by some. It was not my intention to belittle the candidates by saying that they were not qualified to run for the position or imply they should not run at all. Instead, my issue rests solely with the process by which members of the school board are appointed to their respective positions. I should have expanded further on this to drive home the point.

The Southampton County School Board is one of only 24 in the state in which county residents do not elect its members. Twenty-one districts leave the appointment process up to the local governing body, making Southampton one of only three that entrusts a court-appointed selection commission of three. It was simply my aim to show how flawed this process is, and that it is only holding the school system back as a result.

In a typical election, the candidates would be afforded the opportunity to make a case for themselves to the residents of the county. They would share their ideas in public settings, draw support from community and find themselves tallying the votes in November as the people vote on who they feel would have the greatest impact on the school system.

Instead, the four candidates were given five minutes to speak at a hearing in front of only 20 people on a random Tuesday morning. Those in attendance included members of the school board selection committee, the school board, the board of supervisors, the candidates’ parents and support system, the school superintendent, other administrators and this reporter. They all presented their cases by professing a love for Southampton County Public Schools, spoke about what they’d like to implement during their four-year term and concluded with their accolades. Depending on who was at the podium, the candidates also told those in attendance how the residents they spoke with were eager for a change or how they felt the current school board was doing a good job.

In addition to their own time, they each had two or three people from the aforementioned group speak on their behalf.

The meeting concluded with each candidate handing a packet that included their resume to the selection committee. One week later, that group of three reappointed both Lynn Bradley and Florence Reynolds to the school board.

It didn’t matter how much those county residents desired a change, nor did it matter that others thought the current school board was doing a good job despite the budgetary circumstances. It only mattered that the selection committee felt that Bradley and Reynolds were right for the job. And that’s not right.

Now, let me clarify so that there are no further misunderstandings. Both incumbents are more than qualified to serve another four years. As I stated, Reynolds’ list of accomplishments is so long that the majority of her speech was nothing but.

However, the issue remains that her tenure on the school board has given her what some might say is an unfair advantage. The system seems to favor retaining someone with experience as opposed to giving someone new a chance to gain said experience. In essence, the longer that Reynolds — or anyone for that matter — remains, the more difficult it will be to unseat her.

That is why I stated that Mary Ann Turner and Christopher Cornwell never had a chance. It wasn’t because they weren’t qualified to run; they are. Each is an active member of the Southampton community, running a successful business and attending school events in their free time. They’d offer new ideas and, as business owners, could help the board learn to manage its money.

But rather than allowing the people of Southampton County to choose their fate, the bids of the challengers were cast aside because they did not have the same experience as the incumbents.

Although the process discourages them — or any other probable candidate — from running, I applaud them for their courage to do so despite the odds. I hope to see them running once again when the seats for their respective districts expire, but I also hope that they are given an equal shot as their opposition through a real election next time around.

It only makes sense for the selection of those in charge of all aspects of district management, from hiring administrators and negotiating contracts to writing budgets and determining curriculum, to fall upon the shoulder of the county’s residents. Public involvement is the only way for a true democracy to properly function, and until Southampton County Public School District changes its policy, it will remain an oligarchy.

Andrew Lind is a staff writer at The Tidewater News. He can be reached at 562-3187 or andrew.lind@tidewaternews.com.