School Board
Should Resign

I have lost all confidence in the Rochester School Board’s ability to successfully lead the Rochester school system. The budgeting debacle over the last few years coupled with their recent decision concerning basketball players caught in possession of alcohol have led to my opinion. I believe all the school board members should resign.

Their recent decision to immediately change the rules used to discipline members of an athletic team leads to a conclusion of favoritism. These same rules have been in effect for some years now and are clearly stated in the School Board approved Athletic Handbook.

Two years ago a student was dismissed from a sports team for possession of alcohol. Other punishment was added because it happened on a school-sponsored event. Last year two members of a sports team were dismissed for alcohol possession. While these events were happening, we heard nothing from the School Board about the rules being unfair or inappropriate and how changes should be made to the Athletic Handbook. Apparently these students and their parents didn’t have enough "clout" to get the rule changed or they were willing to accept the punishment the rules stated. If it is the latter, I respect them for accepting the consequences of their actions.

I would like to know why these past students were allowed to be treated differently than the two in the most recent case. What will be the consequences for any athlete caught in possession of alcohol until the handbook can be revised?

If the Board believes a policy or a procedure needs changing, then fine, change it for the next year using the proper procedure. Administrators and school boards put policies and procedures into effect so they can consistently and fairly apply the rules to everyone, including themselves, students, staff, parents, and taxpayers. Everyone knows what the rules are and how these rules will be enforced. I believe these policies and procedures are like contracts between the Board and all other parties involved. Don’t change these without following proper procedure.

I believe this ruling will have lasting negative effects within our school system. I doubt that after this ruling staff members are going to enforce any rules they believe might be controversial. Staff cannot count on being supported by the present school board (they might change the rule again), so why would they put their professional future at risk and subject themselves to public second guessing and ridicule? I am not sure, because of this ruling, that the staff or students know what rules, if any, from the Student Handbook or Athletic Handbook still apply. I am unsure as to what rules the School Board wants enforced.

We teach our students that there is equal justice for all, but that is only in theory; in real life we show them it is who you know and how much influence your family can exert. I know that in most places this is, unfortunately, how the world works, but we should set a better example for our students.

Our school system needs better leadership from our school board than it has gotten in the budgeting mess and in the situation with our athletes. It is time for a change.

Richard Schulze

Rochester

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