Tom MacNeill: Settling for mediocrity

Regarding the May 18 news article “Wake board votes to drop naming valedictorians”: I am puzzled by the recent decision of the Wake County school board to discontinue the recognition of class valedictorians. Its reason was that it created “unhealthy competition.” I can’t help but wonder what the board members consider to be “healthy competition.”

On the WCPSS website under Student/Career Preparation, the very first sentence states, “Students will be entering a highly competitive global workforce.” If the school board members think high school grade competition is unhealthy, they will be amazed at what goes on in the real world.

Once again the school board has demonstrated that its incessant and relentless pursuit of mediocrity is its top priority.

This story was originally published June 1, 2016 at 5:46 PM with the headline "Tom MacNeill: Settling for mediocrity."