The Bertie County Board of Education has taken much criticism for its 11th hour decision to put the Connect Bertie project on hold.

Some of the criticism has been mean-spirited, but some has come from people who are truly concerned about a project that could possibly help more than 1,400 homes in the county receive high speed internet access and a computer.

The press release issued by the board Wednesday afternoon outlines some of the reasons the board made the decision it did. The six contract stipulations certainly could have taken a toll on a school district already struggling for funds.

Those obstacles, however, likely can be overcome if the two parties involved – Bertie County Schools and Century Link – sit down at the table and work out the details of a new contract that will not only protect the school district, but will allow Century Link an opportunity to meet its goals.

There have been a multitude of villains in this project, according to some citizens. People have blamed the board of education, others the superintendent of schools, some Century Link and even a few have mistakenly placed the blame on the Bertie County Manager, who has no control over the school district.

Now is not the time for playing the blame game. It’s a time for the board to be allowed to work towards a solution that will be in the best interest of all.