Editor, Gazette-Journal:

It was with great frustration that I read Mr. Hicks’s letter to the editor on February 17. As a teacher, I took his attack on Mathews County Public Schools very personally. Though I do not know Mr. Hicks, I hope he will indulge this long-time teacher a lesson.

First, Mr. Hicks asks, "What does the school crowd want? Pay raises and more money from, well, you name the source." To my knowledge, employees of MCPS have never once—in print or in a public meeting—voiced a request for a pay raise. Instead, we have entrusted our superintendent to be our representative directly to the school board and indirectly to the board of supervisors.

The picture that Mr. Hicks paints—that we are whiny, money grubbers in a time of economic downturn—should be replaced by the image of stoic educators continuing to do what is best for our students and our county in such times. Though some may not have been paying attention, employees in ...