Dear Editor,
Over the past several months I have been concerned with the Ava R-1 School District’s welfare. Many believe that when you look inside a school one should see a great educational process at work and teachers filling the minds of students with knowledge and the ability to work towards a better education, a strength that helps the flow of the educational process. However, in the Ava R-1 School District the educational process is being hindered. I find it strange that as a student I feel compelled to write this letter. That must be some indication that things are going wrong in the school system. Students are not achieving the education they deserve, and the administration and school board members should be held responsible for employing excellent teachers to prepare our students for life. Thankfully, in previous letters to the editor, instances in the school system were brought to light so that in this letter I could write what I think needs to be said.
This school year has been an up and down roller coaster ride for myself and my fellow classmates. We have lost a great asset to our school and maybe even our community. I myself have had a hard time coping with the loss of an excellent teacher, friend and brother, Mr. Jeff Tabor. Though he is not in the Ava R-1 School District any longer, his teachings will follow every student on any path they choose to take in life. I applaud those in the community who supported my brother during the board meetings and took time out of their busy schedules to write accurate and to the point letters to the editor of our local newspaper. They were blessings in disguise, and you made the Ava community aware of what occurs in our school system. Community members who responded to the paper’s question of the week. I appreciate you too. Also, to my classmates who wore the “I ‘heart’ Tabor” shirts, it brought tears to mine, and my family’s eyes.
I have noticed over the past several months that when an event occurs in which the livelihood of a man is altered, that we live in a community where people will stand behind that person and help him over life’s stumbling blocks. In this life there will always be burdens for all of us. I have come to that realization, but I do believe that we all are entitled to have a clear conscience at the end of the day. Each individual must live with their choices whether it is a community member, a teacher, an administrator, or a school board member. One can only hope that when a person makes a past decision, that they can live with themselves, and make present decisions that will work towards the betterment of the community and education. Let me leave you with one question. Isn’t it ironic that the community supports a man that is obviously a very capable teacher, yet the elected school officials find him inadequate? Is there something wrong with this picture? Once again I appreciate all who supported my brother and lifted my spirits as well.
Lucas Tabor
