Editor, Gazette-Journal:

For the past few weeks, we have watched Mathews “blossom” into many shades of red. I use the word “blossom” because of its meaning to develop in a promising or healthy way; to grow, mature and progress. The Mathews Education Association launched “Red4Ed in Mathews” and our community began to wear red in support of our public schools, our educators and our children.

I continue to look for “a sea of red” in Mathews. Wearing the shirts to show support has been an excellent idea. I do believe the board of supervisors, school board and community have come together over the past month to listen to each other and I hope to truly realize the seriousness of the situation.

As school board member Linda Hodges stated, “The drain of qualified classroom professionals is almost to a crisis.” We must reverse this situation now. This is not a new issue recently brought to the table, but one that has not been address...