The Bryan County school system is widely considered one of the best in the state.

Indeed, we think our schools provide our kids a classroom education as good as any in Georgia.

That’s something to be proud of, and it took a lot of hard work by a lot of people to make it happen. But there’s trouble in paradise.

If you read our letters to the editor, or our blog site on www.bryancountynews.net, you’ll find a good number of people who are upset over the way the BoE has conducted business in recent times.

There’s the controversy over the decision not to allow Richmond Hill High School’s band to compete in the National Anthem Project and the apparent ouster of band director Charles Westman. There’s also the controversy that surrounded the location of the new grades 2-3 school in Richmond Hill and similar possible headaches regarding a potential school site not far from a Fort Stewart training area.

Through it all, one thing has seemed to remain constant. Many in the public who care deeply about our schools believe they don’t have input into decisions made by the BoE and administrators. What’s more, it’s obvious they also think the BoE doesn’t do a good enough job explaining itself whenever it makes decisions bound to ruffle feathers. Ironically, part of the new BoE chairman’s platform appeared aimed at providing more communication between the board and residents, thus making the board more user friendly.

That’s a good idea in theory. It will be a better one in practice.