SCHOOL BOARD HAD BETTER PAY ATTENTION TO PARENTS

I am once again sitting open-mouthed and dumbfounded at reading the latest
outrageous injustice of the local school board.

I believe that Mrs. Linda Stratton hit the nail on the head with her letter
to the editor (Nov. 21) - the school board must answer for their
actions...and an insincere ``I'm sorry'' is not enough.

I have been reading the editorials and following the conduct of the school
system for a couple of months now and I am totally flabbergasted at some of
the things I see in practice.

I am wondering why people are only complaining about them...don't we pay
their salaries?

Don't we, as voters and taxpayers, decide who will retain the positions to
make such decisions over our children?

I am wondering if Mr. Balboni, along with his fellow colleagues are feeling
the least bit insecure in their positions?

First of all, we hear they are trying to chase our children into the
restrooms, urine cup in hand (which to me is beyond creepy), then brand them
by hanging a number around their necks - and I have yet to hear an
explanation of exactly how this is supposed to `protect' our children.

Seems to me to be a knee-jerk reaction and a front that they are actually
trying to do something.

Next, we find out that out of 3,000 students only 700 are able to attend
their Homecoming Dance? Not only do they not provide an adequate place to
have the dance (not even half of all students had the opportunity to attend)
but when Mrs. Stratton tried to call and get answers from the high school
and school board...no one was found to be in their office and no one would
return her call. Where exactly were these school officials? Weren't they
still on the clock? Are they not be available to the people who employ them?
Of course there are always circumstances when some may not be available, but
I find it more than suspect that no one in a place of authority could be
reached.

The Homecoming dance is one of the most important events to take place in
the life of a student and to hear that this school system has decided they
can't take the time to find an adequate place to hold the dance is an
injustice and seems to be very typical of this administration.

I too am for the safety of children.

The gymnasium is not big enough? Scout out someplace that is. Do your job!
This is getting to be ridiculous. Any parent that can sit by and say this
administration is doing a good job either needs to be more informed or is
walking around with blinders on. I believe it is time to tell this school
board that the positions we allowed them to have are not insured and that it
is time that they had best listen to what the parents want instead of
sitting around in a self-imposed go-like stature and ignoring what the
people who pay their salaries have to say. If they don't I have one message
to them. Start looking for a new day job.