Gov. Ronnie Musgrove is holding nothing back, as evidenced by his ambitious state-of-the-state address. In a speech laced with the themes of unity and progress, Gov. Musgrove laid out his plan for education and progress in the state.

And, like it or not, he’s serious about that progress.

As Rep. Bobby Moak, D-Bogue Chitto, said, ”Ronnie’s the kind of guy who’s not going to hide the issues he supports.”

And one of those issues, close to the interests of people in Adams County, is Gov. Musgrove’s support of elected school boards and appointed school superintendents.

The governor went on record Wednesday calling for the end to elected school superintendents throughout the state and, in a move he said would remove politics from the education process, the governor called for legislation requiring all school boards be elected.

We’re sure that will stir debate here in Adams County, where the on-going struggle over the politics of our school board and district continue. With some local lawmakers on record supporting an elected school board – and a lawsuit pending trying to force the issue – Adams County could be thrust into the statewide political spotlight, whether we like it or not.

Gov. Musgrove is right to assert that politics has no place in the administration of public school districts – particularly districts which are moving forward.

But the issue of electing a school board is one we can’t avoid much longer here in Adams County, particularly since it made the governor’s Top 16 list of issues.

We must, as a community, come to consensus and resolution on this issue, before we become the focal point of the state.