Speak Up: Smyrna School District superintendent takes leave of absence

After months of controversy, the Smyrna School District announced recently that Superintendent Patrik Williams would be taking a leave of absence, effective immediately. The district’s school board held an emergency meeting as a result of a sudden matter that could not be delayed to a later date. At the conclusion of the meeting, SSD announced that Mr. Williams would be taking a leave of absence, and Assistant Superintendent Deborah Judy would assume duties as interim superintendent.

• During this “leave of absence,” will he still be drawing his salary? Like I said before, it’s time for a FOIA lawsuit. By not being transparent, the district could be in for a number of lawsuits, and the taxpayers are going to be on the hook for attorney fees to defend these people. — Rick Kerchevall
• Personnel matters are not subject to FOIA. If the superintendent committed a crime, however, the district would have revealed it by now. — Greg Layton
• Or is it because he stood fast against the teachers union and got kids back in school where they belong? — Andrew Aron
• Indoctrination indeed. Control what you read, see and hear. — James Kwasnieski
• So he wants kids to read the “Song of Solomon,” and he put up an Angela Davis mural. Oh, I see why y’all want him fired. — Dajanelle Carr
• Because it must be some truth here, and they want nobody to see. #FreeSpeechMatters — Nicole Callaway

Debate continues about village for homeless in Georgetown

A pallet village to provide homeless individuals a springboard to self-sufficiency has been endorsed by town officials. However, some Town Council members have reservations about earmarking $500,000 of American Rescue Plan Act money for the initiative, as requested by Springboard Collaborative executive director Judson Malone. Mr. Malone said the funding would be used for the purchase of 40 pallet cabins for the 411 N. Kimmey St. property owned by nearby First State Community Action Agency.

They desperately need places to live, not the woods. — David Wendy Holloway