Charges Without Verification

Both local political parties and some editors have made serious charges against the Winchester Board of Education without providing any documentation to substantiate their claims. The appearance is that they are willing to accept all information from school administrators as fact without verifying documents to legitimize their comments.

One statement made by both political party leaders is that the Board of Education has not accepted public comment on issues that come before it. Those statements are false! We have public comment at all regular meetings, but it is not our policy to provide a grandstand for political or educratic speeches at all special meetings. I have been called and talked to by many parents and grandparents on education matters. It is very sad that most of them will not express their true feelings at meetings because they fear that their children or grandchildren would suffer because of their actions.

In many ways the Republican motion mirrors the previously sent Democratic letter. In addition, part of the motion accuses the board of "purposeful conduct which appears to be designed to undermine and defeat legitimate actions and pursuits of the Superintendent of Schools." In other words, the Board of Education should not question the wants of the superintendent, should forget its fiduciary responsibilities and just say yes! The Winchester Board of Education has the fiduciary responsibility for our education system, not school administrators. Sounds to me like true educrats are saying that no one in the system should be held accountable for anything, absolutely no mention of any form of education reform should be allowed, educators are always right, and no amount of money for the system is too much.

You may wonder why the letters from the town committees were circulated. Pick one or more:

• To punish Board of Education members for not supporting the town budget.

• To punish Board of Education members for not listening to educrats.

• To convince Board of Education members to maintain the status quo.

• To express anger for personal failure.

• Other.

Whatever their reasons, both parties are weak with inept leadership, and therefore they resort to condemning the world for their shortcomings. Have a nice day.