Parents, teachers and even one student expressed their concern over the lack of a permanent, certified eighth grade math teacher at Thomas Hunter Middle School as students gear up for this spring’s Virginia Standards of Learning test.The matter was brought up during the public comment periods at the start and conclusion of Tuesday night’s Mathews County School Board meeting, which was held in the middle school’s Brooks Auditorium.One of those speaking out, THMS parent Jess Christensen of Hudgins, sympathized with the school board in its task to find a qualified math teacher at this point in the school year. “I know you’re looking for a purple unicorn,” she said.The teacher, Christensen said, told students that she would be leaving the division about four weeks ago, with parents receiving notification about two weeks later.

Christensen suggested the school division pursue every other option in responding to this need, asking if there is an online option and wondering if a Mathews Hi...