TheTimesTribune.com, Corbin, KY

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January 28, 2010

Reader reacts to recent Knox Board meeting

In response to the Knox County Board of Education meeting on Jan. 26, 2010,  I have never been so disappointed in a group of five people, namely the board members. They already had their mind made up before putting Corbin parents on the agenda to speak requesting a re-vote. We had two board members, off the record, state they would vote to approve the reciprocal agreement if it went to a re-vote. Yet they just sat there in the meeting and did not say a word, not one word.  For them to have no backbone or guts to stand up for what is right, I am reminded of a story in the Bible where an army was too afraid to stand up against the giant, Goliath... but one boy, David, was not afraid to stand up for what he believed in and he slayed the giant with a sling shot and a stone. David went on to become a king. He did what was right and was highly favored and blessed because of it.

Everyone has lost sight of what this battle is really all about. It’s not about which is the better school, it’s about our choice to attend where we want to. Most Knox County students would not, under any circumstances, want to attend Corbin schools (and that is OK) but for them to sit at that meeting so smug and arrogant, they need to stop and put themselves in the reverse situation. They would feel the same way Corbin parents and students do if they were the ones being forced to go to Corbin.

 The majority of the students that are affected will not go to Knox County schools and will continue to go to Corbin. I don’t think the Knox County board is understanding they will not see that money they think they will be getting; they do not care about the emotions of our kids. To uproot them from a school they are a part of, their friends, their  life should not be the decision of strangers who do not know our families and do not know our families’ situations or our reasons for choosing Corbin schools. By their decision last night it’s clear they really don’t care to know us.

 At this moment, I am ashamed to say that I am from Knox County. I would love to deduct the Knox County school tax from my property taxes and pay the consequences, but wanting and doing is two different things.

 I think I speak for all parents in both districts when I say that we all want the best opportunity and we are looking out for the best interest of our children. And who can best answer that question? Each parent. 

We should not have to defend our choices to anybody. I don’t think any parent or any board member, teacher or student does not want the school systems in our region to be the best that they can be because not doing so is a reflection on us all in this area. But to think that demanding 169 students from Corbin will magically solve Knox County schools’ financial problems and bring them up from Tier 1 and Tier 2 status is utterly ridiculous and confirms my opinion of these five board members and superintendent. I would not want to be on a sinking ship with any of these people because, as I seen first hand last night, they would be willing to let a child die in order to get the last life jacket on board to save themselves.

 Our kids depend on us to protect them and do what is best for them and I take that very seriously and I will not let my child down. I applaud the Corbin Board of Education for standing behind the parents’ right to choose and having the students best interest at heart.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart for stepping up to the plate.

 Thanks,Joyce Harbin,

Knox County parent for Corbin Schools

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