Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over the Swopes countdown that was becoming a holiday chore,
With schools closing, getting a true count was making me feel leary,
Pressure knowing, curious CATS checking, spirits hoping to soar,
Swopes' promised early departure being their only hope in store -
Only this, and nothing more.

Wondering how to determine which days Leotis worked or not,
How will I ever keep score, absent the District's reporting corps?
Must I occupy the Central Office, pitching a tent and cot?
Aha...something heard Thursday night, other than the usual bore -
Cairo's Board of Ed actually announced that worthy of lore:
An end date...we know the score!

Swopes' departure date has been set...the thirteenth of January.
No need to speculate, no need to hesitate, he's out the door.
Though the count said fifteen...there's only ten days more of misery.
We are left to wonder as the Board goes about its searching chore,
Can the next Superintendent be worse than he who came before?
Quoth this old CAT, `Nevermore.'