School Chief Flap Raises Questions

Is it a wonder that our public schools are struggling? The latest example of how not to run a school district is demonstrated by the Westminster School District’s forced resignation of Supt. Gail Wickstrom. By all accounts she was doing a fine job, was well-respected by her peers and the community.

Notwithstanding crowded schools, deferred maintenance and the need for new equipment, the new board majority of [Michael J.] Verrengia, [Sondra] Rinker and [Helena] Rutkowski chose to buy out her contract. Wickstrom will receive $163,361 in severance, three weeks’ paid leave and a letter of recommendation!

Hey wait! That’s our money! Can the board majority justify this expenditure of public funds to anywhere else than Wickstrom’s family? The next time they vote down a request for playground equipment, school supplies or a new program to benefit our children, let’s hope they don’t blame it on “scarce resources.”

STEVEN GLANCE

Westminster

* I read your editorial (“What About Education?” May 9) and found that there were some rather glaring misconceptions in it. Your editorial staff obviously took no pains to contact any of the three members of the board majority concerning this issue. If they had, they would have found out some interesting information.

The writer labeled the three of us “ideologues,” which I take to mean, board members who don’t think their teachers should be forced to take Spanish or Vietnamese to retain their jobs.

It must also mean board members willing to take on the state Department of Education to win approval of the state’s first bilingual waiver. Yes, the impetus for the waiver came from board members, not any of the administration. The hard work done in getting the waiver was done by the assistant superintendent for curriculum and her committee. This was made up of administrative staff, teachers, CSEA staff and parents.

The resignation agreement, agreed to by both parties, was drawn up by Dr. Wickstrom and her attorney. As was the letter of recommendation, also agreed to by both parties. The leave of absence was Dr. Wickstrom’s choice alone.

If you must write about a topic, in which you have little information, please try to get it first before writing about it.

MICHAEL J. VERRENGIA

President, Westminster School

District Board of Trustees

* Wickstrom’s forced resignation has been linked to “a new school board with a more conservative agenda.” This is obviously untrue. It was reported that the settlement was based on the new board’s intent to foster a different teaching philosophy.

Only wild-eyed liberals would ever consider blowing that amount of money (i.e. taxpayer money) solely to implement a different social policy. Real conservatives loathe the needless waste of taxes, especially when the waste appears to be the result of personality conflicts or political paybacks rather than a diligent attempt to improve public services. Real conservatives play by the rules, honor contracts, and respect the public trust when they become officials.

As for the board majority that approved the grossly imprudent agreement, to call them conservative trustees is double wrong: They are neither.

R. NETTLETON

Westminster

* It seems to be the height of arrogance for the new conservative school board majority to fire Wickstrom and refuse to tell the public why, ignoring the request of many who attended the board meeting for an explanation.

Is it possible that since the three board members who voted to fire Wickstrom were endorsed and supported by the pro-voucher Education Alliance, as reported recently in The Times, they retain animosity for her role as a crusader against Proposition 174, the failed voucher initiative of a few years ago? Sounds like payback to me, and to heck with the public.

DAN SHEPHARD

Huntington Beach

* The Westminster district should prepare for a deluge of resumes. Candidates will probably assure the board they are flexible on the salary as long as the severance benefits remain the same.

CAROLYN MARR

Westminster