The Simpson County School Board and District employees have been under a bombardment of criticism from a group of people who I believe do not have the county and our children’s best interest at heart. To be more specific, I am referring to The Floyds and the McCoys.
Unless you’re living under a rock in Simpson County, there is ongoing contention from this group directed at our School District Office and its Board. The major problem is the perception and narrative that these individuals have perpetuated to the public via paper, social media, and word of mouth. These people tout inaccuracies that the school board is corrupt, that our superintendent is a liar, and that none of these government fat cats should be trusted. This narrative has caught fire to a small faction of people that the Floyds and McCoys would call “the majority of Simpson County”. They are vicious in their pursuit to stop this corrupt entity from raising your taxes. I mean who likes corrupt big government raining down on our liberty and siphoning our hard-earned income right?
Taxation from a corrupt School Board is the tactic, not the motive. The Floyds and the McCoys are adamantly against public education. This is not an assumption; this comes from the very words they have spoken and printed.
On August 15, 2022, School Board President, Danny Cowart, appeared before the Simpson County Board of Supervisors. Thomas Ray Floyd and Lee McCoy were also in attendance. The meeting was recorded and posted online via Facebook. I will be referencing time stamps for you to watch and listen at your convenience.
Danny Cowart, at the 00:47 minute mark of the video, gave a factual presentation as to how the School Board arrived at the decisions they did. If you have not listened, please watch the video on Mageenews.com and their Facebook page. Danny explains in far greater detail than I ever could as to why the School Board arrived at the decisions they have.
After Danny spoke, Thomas Ray presumed to follow and address the board room. At 1:40:55 in the video, Thomas Ray tries to say that Danny Cowart told him to his face that he hated his guts. Danny quickly called him out on this, which you hear Thomas Ray admit he lied about.
Thomas Ray then goes on to claim that he has been victimized of trying to destroy the public schools. Thomas Ray denied said claim and touted that the solution was for schools to live within their means. Our physical buildings have become beyond redemption. To stay where they are would mean the continued decline and demise of Simpson County Schools. Right now, there are children walking a great distance in the rain just to go to lunch. Try focusing on schoolwork wet and cold.
Lee McCoy at 1:58:11 states that whoever wants an education can get one. If you want it bad enough, you’ll get it. Lee’s response about the kids walking in the rain; “I have walked in rain, when I went to school and when I had enough money saved up, I bought an umbrella”.
I’m sorry folks, but we can do better than that. Our children deserve better than that.
Where things get interesting is the 1:42:00 mark in the video. Thomas Ray has raised heck that the School Board should not raise this county’s taxes. Thomas has publicly and privately compared board members to King George as well as members of the Socialist Party. What’s funny is that Thomas Ray said at this segment of the video that if they raised taxes for roads to be improved, he would adamantly oppose that as well. I find that funny because the county raised the millage rate by 3 in recent years to repair our roads. Board of Supervisor, Danny Craft, pointed out that only 1 person showed up when they set the millage increase. Thomas Ray goes on to say that the roads are now so much better than when he was a boy. Floyd said he was just tickled to death. Well Mr. Floyd, you can thank the tickling to the increase in taxes you didn’t raise a fuss about. The School Board is only asking for a millage increase of 2. Interesting how nobody batted an eye over roads, but the evil public school, how dare they?
Where you can really see Thomas Ray’s intent is at the 1:43:40 portion of the video. Another citation for Floyd’s true beliefs is in the article he wrote to the Magee Courier on 3/3/22. The title of this article, “The Evil of Government Schools”. I implore all (in Lee McCoy’s words) who have common sense, read, and listen. These people truly believe that Simpson County Public Schools are evil. They also believe that those who are on the School Board and in the central office are Marxist, communists, socialists, or at least sympathizers with the global agenda.
Floyd wrote that he was pulled from public school in 1966 and that he was thankful for it because of the northern ideas that were pushed down to the good ole south (I’ll let you interpret that). None of these people’s children attend public school. Here’s the deal, if that’s their choice, that is fine and within their right. I do not advocate for public, private, or home school. I believe that everyone in this county deserves the right to choose what is best for their family. For most families in this county, public school is the best option.
The School Board recognizes that it is their duty to provide the absolute best opportunities possible to the children who choose this option. Our School Board and Superintendent carry the heaviest burden out of anyone in our community. I have had enough of the constant attacks, and misinformation these people have militantly directed at our school districts and its leaders. This issue has become extremely personal for me for 2 reasons. 1) you cannot point your finger at a board member or superintendent and call them a Marxist and tyrant, especially Danny Cowart. 2) if the Floyds and McCoys succeed, that means my son and my little girl do not get to experience this once in a generation opportunity. Every single parent in this county needs to see that.
The end in mind for these people is to get rid of public education. They believe little trailers should suffice for your kids. I want the very best for my children, and this administration and Board are going to do it. These people are nothing more than bullies with no one to stand up to them. It’s time for the good people of this county stand up to these people and show support for Dr. Holloway and the Simpson County School Board.
A Free Citizen of Simpson County,
Ian Cowart
