Neither side was totally victorious. The CRT debate appears to have ended in compromise.

At the last meeting of the Fairfield County School Board of Trustees, the Rev. Roy Jeffcoat announced that the third nine weeks CRT tests would be retaken later this month. The higher set of scores will be used as 20 percent of a student’s final grade for the marking period. (See story on page one.)

Parents in recent weeks have protested the 20 percent requirement which is contained in district policy concerning nine weeks assessments. The protest culminated in a demonstration in front of the District Office.

Superintendent of Education Dr. Samantha Ingram stressed that the use of the assessment tool and the 20 percent were appropriate and were in accord with district policy.

A group of concerned parents organized to express their opposition to the use of the CRT score as 20 percent of a student’s grade for the nine weeks. They urged that the test be made a pilot program for this school year.

Because of their effort, they were able to alter a district decision more to their liking. This is how our system works and we commend them for their concern and their willingness to stand up and be counted.

Tragically during the course of the struggle, numerous things were said about Dr. Ingram that were not true and were not professional. This hurt their cause greatly.

Finally we commend the Board of Trustees for deciding to authorize a Board attorney to write members of the public concerning the questionable things that have been said about Ingram.

We, as a community, must decide, if we are going to let Ingram be superintendent of the Fairfield County School District. She cannot do her job, if inappropriate, and possibly illegal, comments about her are circulating in our community.

The Herald Independent believes we should let her do her job.