Pubdate: Wed, 15 May 2002 Source: Decatur Daily (AL) Copyright: 2002 The Decatur Daily Contact: http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/index.shtml Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/696 Author: Jimmy Yarbrough EDUCATORS HAVE DIFFICULT TASK The Decatur Daily: A person not involved in education probably doesn't understand the complexity and importance of decisions that educators have to make. The answers are not black or white, but gray. What is best for one student may not be best for another. These decisions can affect students for the rest of their lives. In making these tough decisions, I believe there is one principle that overrides all others: "What is best for this student and the student body?" I feel that this is what Lee Hartsell considered in the case of the baseball player who tested positive for marijuana. He was protecting him when he originally said he passed the drug test. I have known Hartsell since he came to Hartselle to lead our school system. I have not agreed with all of his decisions, but I do respect his honesty and integrity and feel he has done a good job of leading our system to its present position. I know he loves children and is a good father and husband. He is a Christian man of integrity and character and would not lie to protect the school system or baseball program. I am convinced the only reason he made the statement he did was to protect the young man. The accomplishments of the school system and baseball program stand on their own and don't need protecting. I taught in the Hartselle School System for more than 30 years and believe it to be one of the best in the nation. We have teachers and administrators who genuinely care about our students. I believe we need to be praying every day for wisdom for them as they go about one of the most important and difficult jobs in the world. Jimmy Yarbrough Hartselle - --- MAP posted-by: Beth