Letters to Editor 03/29/2006

To the Editor:

Given the instructions that are reported in your article and in similar articles in the Bend Bulletin, I find it impossible to believe that four college educated teachers could not figure out that a math reference book, characterized by some as a glossary, would not be considered a textbook or the equivalent of a dictionary.

Both of these references were specifically banned by the instructions.

I think we have a problem similar to what the definition of the word “is” is. These teachers must have reasoned that if the subject reference book didn’t have the word “textbook” or “dictionary” in the title, it must be allowed material.

It seems to me that this independent investigation was driven by a hidden agenda to explain away obvious misconduct. But then I remembered that an attorney did it and that is what they do. Do this investigation again by an ordinary average citizen like a law enforcement officer and you will get a different result. A good cop that does not have near the education these teachers have would have been able to read, understand and implement the mandated instructions.

Hundreds of other teachers got it right, why not these? As in Watergate and the Clinton sex scandal, the resulting cover-up is worse than the original offense.

Let’s not teach our kids that misconduct (cheating) is acceptable if you are clever enough to explain it away. These individuals and those involved in the “spin” should be disciplined.

Mike Morgan

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To the Editor:

Enough is enough. The issue concerning the testing at Sisters Elementary School needs to be put to rest.

Question: Do the teachers get a bonus for students getting a higher score? Does the administration get sent to Disneyland? How about the school district getting more direct funding from the state?

The answer is NO.

We have heard enough comments from those who do not live in our community to include the wonderful comments from The Bulletin. Do any of you who have commented or made nasty remarks really know these teachers and administrators? These are highly motivated people who care a great deal about our children.

The issue has been investigated; the independent investigator has made her findings. If we were not going to listen to the results of the investigation, then why would we bother to have one? Enough time, money and energy have been spent on this issue.

Stop running these fine people through the press and questioning the motives behind the mistake. Let’s close the page on this chapter and move on to more important items, like class size and district growth. Most of us with children should remember we have chosen to live in this community because of the outstanding school district and the caring staff, for our family that has not changed.

To the Sisters school staff, the silent majority is behind you, keep up the good work.

Scott and Dana Shelton

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To the Editor:

I liked the forthrightness of The Bend Bulletin opinion on Sisters teacher testing incompetence as opposed to The Nugget opinion. The Bend Bulletin stated that it seemed pretty clear that reference books were not allowed.

Also, The Bend Bulletin makes the point that if procedures were not clear, as the teachers claimed, then it is the teachers responsibility to clarify the rules before administering the tests.

The Nugget opinion was a whitewash. Defend bad behavior if you wish but we need to teach fair play in life.

Sincerely,

Doug Wood

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To the Editor:

Kudos to Elizabeth Koonce for her letter re: Teaching and Teachers (The Nugget, March 22). Kudos to those dedicated teachers and their dedication to teaching.

Elayne Clarke

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To the Editor:

The other day I checked “Catch 22” out of the library to watch again because Haliburton and friends reminded me so much of Milo Minderbinder and his clever schemes for making money off World War II. The similarities are eerie.

A few days later I heard about the sergeant being courtmartialed and sentenced for using a dog to abuse prisoners in Iraq, and thought: sounds like Catch 22 for him, too. He was following orders from an intelligence officer who was following orders from General Miller, and when they all got caught, the sergeant got the courtmartial. He also could have been punished if he hadn’t followed those orders.

Got him coming and going, just like Capt. Yosarian in the movie.

No wonder the Pentagon is falling short of its recruiting quotas. Can hardly blame young people for turning down a job where you’re guilty if you follow orders and guilty if you don’t.

Bill Steven

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To the Editor:

Censuring the President IS protecting our freedom.

No one is above the law. Censure is a reasonable first step to holding the president accountable.

All of Congress should be standing with Senator Feingold to protect the rule of law. Senator Feingold is standing up to the Bush administration’s attack on our Constitution and he shouldnt be fighting alone. This is a crucial moment for Congress. They must hold the president accountable and preserve their role as a check on the power of the presidency. America is watching to make sure they do.

I was not born and raised American to now live in fear of anyone. I expect my President to act based on fact instead of fancy and I expect him and my senators and congressional delegates to uphold the Constitution.

James M. Booth

Redmond