Dismayed but not surprised

As a taxpayer and the parent of two school-aged children in the North Allegheny School District, I was dismayed and angered, but not surprised, to learn of the decision by the school board and Superintendent Dr. Patricia Green not to air President Barack Obama's recent speech to our students. By choosing to put politics and party affiliation ahead of educational opportunity, the all-Republican school board and the superintendent have done a great disservice to the district's taxpayers and children.

While children may have viewed the speech at home, I think losing the opportunity to view and discuss it with their peers has deprived them of a more enriching educational experience.

In the district's message announcing this decision, no supporting reasons were offered. I for one do find it ironic, though, considering that for the past five years my children, as part of McKnight Elementary's Memorial Day school assembly, have been subject to the incoherent ramblings of Jane Orie and the fiery partisan rhetoric of Mike Turzai, our two Republican members of the state Legislature. A feel-good, flag-waving opportunity, yes, but a necessary part of the district's educational mission, certainly not!

 

MARK KAROLSKI
McCandless