School board’s decision was unjust
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Editor,
After reading the CharKoosta article about the “Polson High School vice-principal’s contract non-renewed without cause,” my first thought was, “some things never change.”
Just when you think a reservation school district is making progress to address age-old issues, it slides back into the mire of the subtleness of intolerance. No one will step forward and say why; no one will step forward and support this action in public. Why is that? Are you afraid that stepping forward would put your name on this unfair decision to let a qualified and hard-working individual go? Or is it that you would be publicly associated with this act of injustice and unfairness? Regardless of why you didn’t respond in any way, it’s obvious you supported the action.
If you cannot look someone in the eye who is addressing you to reason with you as a board member, you really don’t feel comfortable supporting the issue. You are only following along because you are fearful. No one wants to be the one who feels like they don’t belong. This single experience may give you insight into how an Indian student might feel in your school with a lack of mentors and role models of his or her own ethnic background.
In supporting Whitesell’s decision to let Hendrickson go, you have sent a message to the Indian students and their families of the Polson School District that, “You do not support their efforts toward a quality education.” Through your inability to stand up, to have dialogue and voice your opinion, you have sent a message to the group who wanted Hendrickson out: “You can pressure me; I will do what you want.” That is not how a board is supposed to work. As a board, you must make decisions that make your school the best it can be. Instead, the old adage applies, “You cannot make a silk purse from a sow’s ear.”
Consider the all-time high drop-out rates in this country, the bitterness between races, the lack of tolerance in today’s students, the right of every citizen to a quality education and consider your decision and its repercussions.
Mary Jane Charlo
Arlee
