Friends And Family Again

From the T&G

Story behind teacher's departure is appalling

Dear Editor,

I have been thinking about Luca Marangelli's letter from March 21 ("Teacher was treated poorly before she left."). Although I was already familiar with the situation; it is now all too real and I am angry. For the last three years, I have had the good fortune to come to know Sue Santos and her family. I know her as a friend, neighbor and a director and teacher.Last summer, Ms. Santos directed Honk, through the Camden Area Players. My daughter and husband both had parts in the play. It was incredible experience, and I am just so grateful that we had the opportunity to be a part of it. Ms. Santos is a gifted director, with the ability to bring the best out in everyone around her.
I imagined her to be as gifted and dedicated a music teacher and have had the opportunity to confirm my beliefs by talking to some of her students. They seem to be the only ones at Camden County High School that know what their school is about to lose. They have made it obvious that they do not want her replacement as their director and they do not want to see Sue Santos leave CCHS. Why doesn't that seem to matter? I don't know. The fact that [Fine Arts Director] Dean Slusser had to sit in on rehearsals, to apparently baby sit [new director Jason] Kraack, speaks volumes. I think that they know that they are doing the wrong thing, by giving a young man with absolutely no experience or degree, a director's job. What really bothers me is that it is patently obvious that Sue should have been promoted to director. This is the epitome of the good ol' southern boys network, giving jobs to people who haven't earned them, just to keep it in the family.There are lots of things that people in this community can be proud of, but not this. It is despicable; because had this happened just about anywhere else in the nation, Ms. Santos would have been rewarded for her three years of unsurpassed dedication and loyalty to her students and CCHS. She would have rightfully been given the position of director, because she earned it.Instead, Sue has had no choice but to resign, and will be forced to seek employment away from Camden County. Many of us have been lucky enough to have had that one teacher that you will never forget, that inspired you to greatness, and that you still want to go back and talk to after graduation. Sue Santos is that kind of teacher. Just ask her students. So I am angry and sad, because not only am I am losing a good friend and neighbor, but my children, and the children of Camden County, will never have the opportunity to have Sue Santos, as a teacher. That is a tremendous loss to our community and some of you will never know how great of a loss it really is.

Beth Jadick

Kingsland

Lets take a look at the RED:

1. I imagined her to be as gifted and dedicated a music teacher and have had the opportunity to confirm my beliefs by talking to some of her students. They seem to be the only ones at Camden County High School that know what their school is about to lose. The way I see it: It does not matter what parents and students want. It's what the principal and school board want. We are just there to give money.
2. The fact that [Fine Arts Director] Dean Slusser had to sit in on rehearsals, to apparently baby sit [new director Jason] Kraack, speaks volumes. I think that they know that they are doing the wrong thing, by giving a young man with absolutely no experience or degree, a director's job. The way I see it: Hey that is an awful big babysitting paycheck.
3. This is the epitome of the good ol' southern boys network, giving jobs to people who haven't earned them, just to keep it in the family. The way I see it: Have not heard this phrase used before.
4. She would have rightfully been given the position of director, because she earned it.Instead, Sue has had no choice but to resign, and will be forced to seek employment away from Camden County. The way I see it: I was once told by Tricia Smith that if I didn't like this school system I should just move. I told her I live in America and if I didn't like something I had the right to change it and that is what I am doing. I have a lot of people who hate me for this because for years they got away with this kind of stuff. You Ms. Jadick are absolutely right it's all about family and friends. Some of these family and friends are qualified and deserve the jobs they have, but some just got their jobs because they used to coach and you people know you are not qualified to do that job.

Thank you Ms. Jadick for speaking out.