To the Editor,

I agree with Guy Curtis's comments concerning nepotism in the Sodbuster. I do think Guy was overly kind though.

While we must consider the ability of a small town like Imperial to attract qualified teachers it is still very risky to hire two teachers or staff members from the same family. It is even worse when one of them is subordinate to the other.

What we have at Chase County High School and smacks of cronyism, in my opinion. We seem to have a school board which appears to be under the control of the school administrator. Is it my imagination or does the administrator seem to be the only one speaking when I read about the school board meeting in the Imperial Republican?

Also we have a high school librarian/media specialist who is not qualified for the job she holds. How did she get the job in the first place? I am sure there were other, equally unqualified, applicants for that position.

Now this past school year we saw two highly qualified teachers leave, one dismissed and the other resigned and at the same time the administration was given generous raises while the teachers were faced with RIF. Morale must be wonderful among the teachers now. It is beyond me, completely beyond me that anyone could justify giving raises under these circumstances.

I am seriously concerned about the quality of education that is offered in the school system. I look at all levels, administration, teachers and school board and see weakness and deficiencies that need to be addressed. Over the years we have had excellent and lousy teachers and when you look at the number of personnel in administration and the cost I think something needs to be done there especially. Why do we need an administrator, two principals and and an assistant principal plus several office personnel. Surely we can get by with one less administrator and I would also recommend cutting salaries. If they are unwilling to work for less then replace them.

Our school system should be about education and not for the benefit of faculty and administration.

Leonard Smith
Imperial, NE.