Moderator’s introduction

Today’s moderator: Maureen Downey

Maureen Downey has written about local, state and federal education policy at the AJC for 12 years. She’s also taught college classes in mass communications and journalism. However, she’s learned more about schools from having four children in them.

»Join the discussion online today: Share your opinions and ideas at blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog.

The story of segregated proms in South Georgia went worldwide, bringing a lot of attention to Wilcox County. Today, the Wilcox schools superintendent wonders why the media never called him about the other stories in his district — stories of struggle, dedication and poverty. Readers respond to his comments about the overlooked stories of Wilcox and other rural districts. In a guest column, a college professor talks about the rash of family deaths and illnesses that occurs around the end of the semester — when term papers are due and final exams are held. How many times can your grandmother pass away?

» Where is press now?: More to Wilcox than prom

» Guest column: My grandmother died — again