Letter to the Editor - September 14, 2007

I would like to thank the newly elected board member for continuing the process of building new schools, a process started by Bruce Minton, Helen Rogers, Eric Swanson, Jack Hamilton, Nellie Gogley and Hank Richardson. If I may, I would like to comment on Hank Richardson's resignation.

People resign for a variety of reasons. They resign for health considerations, to spend more time with family, and for the purpose of retirement. Had that been the case, the board would have accepted his resignation unanimously. And, then there is another kind of resignation.

We tell somebody his services are not longer required. We pay off their contract and extend to them health benefits. We even offer them a letter of recommendation if they ask for one. The newly elected board's decision to fire Hank Richardson did not enhance their reputation, but in fact, their reputation has been diminished.

As I continue, import questions need to be asked. Does Lee Rogers really believe that the quite protest of a single individual is a rude disruption of a school board meeting? I believe a better example of a rude disruption is the termination of a school district superintendent.

Does Hardy Black believe that Dave Long, a person who belongs to his church, a man who called for his resignation and/or recall is an extremist? As Dr. Kirk was acquiring his doctorate, did a professor share with him that if a person had a different point of view he should be labeled an extremist? Did he teach the same concept to the students he taught over the years? Dr. Kirk knows and understands that the greatest extremist who ever lived, and still lives in the hearts and minds of millions of people, was a man named Jesus. Gandhi was an extremist, as was Martin Luther King Jr., George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were extremists. On a more local level, Dave Long was an extremist. Hank Richardson was an extremist and lost his job.

Bruce Minton and Helen Rogers are the two voices of reason and sanity on the school board. They have never lied to us, and they have earned our trust.

I would encourage district office personnel and administrators in our district to disregard the mass exodus of individuals who have left our district. Yes, I understand that you have seen the three misshapen faces of fear, trepidation, and intimidation in the hallways of the district office and on our school campuses. One day you will be asked to pick up the pieces and repair this district.

I would like to thank Jim Pace and the various negotiating teams for the salary and health benefits that I have received over the years. On the issue of salary and health benefits, we are on the same page. However, on the issue of the recall, we are not. You keep suggesting that the initiators of the recall should apologize. Mr. Pace, it is you who needs to apologize to the citizens of Hesperia. You and a small group of people hijacked the endorsement process. In doing so you tricked and deceived the people of Hesperia into believing that almost one thousand teachers endorsed the newly elected board. A significant number of teachers did not endorse them, do not endorse them now, and will not endorse them in the future.

Once again, teachers should become more involved. Make a sign, bring a sing, and hold a sign, regardless of your position on this important issue. Attend an HTA meeting and write letters to your local newspaper.

I believe the decision of the citizens of Hesperia to recall the newly elected board, is a noble and just cause. Your reasons for the recall are valid, and the list keeps growing each and every day.

We will benefit from the contributions that the new school board has made. At the same time, we will also overcome their miscalculations, errors in judgment, and their arrogant abuse of power.

Above all else, it is important that we respect the ideas and opinions held by individuals on both sides of the recall issue. If we do this, it will speak well of all of us.