To the Editor:

For the past few years I have gotten in the habit of picking up a copy of The Smoky Mountain News in Bryson City, where I live, or as we bounce around Jackson and Haywood counties. In general, I find the publication to be an excellent effort to bring local and regional news and information to residents of the area. 

That said, what’s up with the obsession Cory has of trashing Shining Rock Classical Academy week after week after week? I have read most, if not all, of the articles about this start-up public charter school, and the leadership and staff who are obviously trying to bring another viable educational choice to the students and parents of Haywood County. The paper is clearly biased against the concept of a taxpayer-funded charter school, or against some other aspect of this effort.

I’m sure these folks would freely admit that they have not done everything perfectly, but odds are they are doing their best. Trying to breathe life into a vision such as this is never easy, and in the field of public education I suspect it’s even harder than usual. And one would have to believe that this effort is based in a true desire to create something special, as I can’t imagine there is a bunch of money in it for anyone. 

As I read through the August 14 issue, I could not help but to be struck by the ironies created by other articles in the publication. On the very next page, “Teachers just don’t get enough credit” is an essay on the undervalued efforts of teachers in our society. What about the poor Shining Rock teachers who had to prepare for the new school year as SMN publicly trashed their school, which has likely negatively affected the enrollment and potentially some of their jobs? Later is “A reminder: leave something good behind,” a book review of a new book about the life of Anthony Bourdain, reflecting on his wish that we all leave something good behind. Somehow I would bet that the leadership and staff of Shining Rock are trying to do just that, against tough odds, made tougher by this paper. I have no connection with anything or anyone involved in this school, and don’t even know where it is, but the spirit of these articles just strikes me as mean and unjustified!

Mark Hanna

Bryson City