MCCRACKIN AN EFFECTIVE PRINCIPAL

Do you support a drug-free school? Do you support a safe school? Do
you support a principal whose No. 1 priority is providing students a
learning environment that is conducive to learning?

Do you support a principal who addresses problems?

Do you support a principal who seeks the assistance of trained
professionals when a serious problem exists?

A "yes" response to any of the above questions indicates support for
George McCrackin in his decision to request the help of law
enforcement professionals in the Nov. 5 drug search.

For more than two decades, George McCrackin has dedicated himself to
the maintenance of a safe and drug-free learning environment for the
students at Stratford High School. He has provided the leadership for
one of South Carolina's finest high schools. Since the school opened
in 1983, Stratford has played a vital role in the community, and its
students have excelled in academics, athletics and life. The annual
school report card was just released and Stratford received an
excellent rating. Stratford students' scores on the Exit Exam, SAT,
ACT and AP exams are consistently among the highest in the state, and
each year for the past six years Stratford students have earned over a
million dollars in scholarship money. These achievements are a
reflection of the strong leadership provided by Stratford's principal,
George McCrackin.

The staff at Stratford High School wants to publicly thank him for
being informed in areas of student culture. We thank him for
addressing problems rather than ignoring them. We thank him for
confronting any situation when strong evidence indicates illegal
activities are taking place. We thank him for taking steps to stop
problems before students and teachers are hurt. Although many of us
were unaware of the drug search prior to or during its implementation,
we stand behind his decision to involve law enforcement officials. We
also want the public to know that once police come on campus, control
of the school is transferred from school officials to the responding
law enforcement officials.

Finally, our principal, George McCrackin, demands professionalism,
high standards and excellence from his faculty, staff and students.
Without his leadership and support, Stratford would not be where it is
today, a safe learning environment. We encourage the many students,
parents and community members who have voiced their support of Mr.
McCrackin to make these opinions known so that everyone will know that
it is really a small minority calling for the resignation of an effective
principal.

THE STRATFORD STAFF

This letter was signed by 150 members of the Stratford High School
staff

951 Crowfield Blvd.

Goose Creek