published: Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Now is not the time for change

Editor:

I am writing to recommend that residents cast their vote for Wally Cox for re-election to Superintendent of Highlands County schools. I certainly plan to vote for him. I retired this year after serving as a school social worker for 23 years. I developed a real appreciation for Wally during the time I worked under his direction as superintendent.

Since Wally is one of those unique individuals with a mathematical mind and a sensitive heart, I have seen him struggle emotionally with decisions that involved dealing with budget issues and cutting positions that involved job losses.

His method, for the most part, was to make cuts through attrition when staff retired and not to fire staff. Even when cutting in that manner, which is what happened with school social workers, he was so apologetic to those of us who were left to carry the full load.

All of us know whatever fields that we have worked in, that the last few years have been financially horrific. Wally with his experience in finance and money management has led the schools in a way that no one else could have through these difficult years. I do not believe that now is the time to experiment with a change of direction by an inexperienced candidate.

In summary, Wally Cox is an honest, caring, kind person who has given 100 percent in his role as superintendent. His experience as a finance director in the educational setting prepared him as no other for the role of superintendent. This is not the time for a change; please consider voting for Wally Cox to continue as school superintendent.

Katherine Main

Sebring