The real goal: Bickering could go on for weeks, but there is a bigger issue

This is not the first and it won't be the last argument about how to build new schools in Wayne County.

And, if the truth were told, it is likely that these arguments are pretty common in other counties, too.

Call this one a standoff.

The county commissioners do not agree with the school board on how to build and to finance the county's schools.

One group interprets the information one way and the other, another. Both claim the other has misread or mishandled the planning.

And perhaps there is merit to both arguments -- and each public body has a valid reason to stick by its guns.

But that's not what this is about -- guns, figurative or otherwise.

It is about getting new schools built for Wayne County's children.

So, perhaps, these two groups could sit down in an open forum, set aside the sniping and the passive aggressive comments about competency, and come up with a compromise.

Of course the school board should be able to critique the comments made by Interim County Manager George Wood.

After all, although temporary, he is the current person in charge. His comments were less than flattering about the school board's decision. They have a right to say, "Hey wait a minute, we do not agree."

And the commissioners have rights, too. They can disagree with the path that the school board has chosen -- and share their views with regard to the financing of the project.

But here is where the scenario breaks down.

This is a task that has a noble goal -- building new schools for the county's children.

It is not a contest for "Best Wayne County Board" or "Sharpest Retort."

It is about the kids.

Both boards should get together, in public, and discuss the next steps respectfully. If the design/bid/build option is the way we are going to go -- fine, but let's hear the timetable required and let the school board express its concerns. Then, let's forge a compromise.

That is the right thing to do.

And by the way, county commissioners, when you reject a financing plan because it did not go your way you are not absolved from responsibility for delaying the project. You issued an ultimatum. You stopped the process.

But you and the board of education have the power to get it back on track.

Let's make that the new goal.

Published in Editorials on April 26, 2014 11:32 PM