Letters to the Editor

Dunbar singled out

Editor: The Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Brown vs. the Board of Education, which ended segregated schooling, states, “education is perhaps the most important function of state and local governments … it is the very foundation of good citizenship.” Because of its importance to our democratic society, the court held that public education “is a right which must be made available to all on equal terms.”
At last week’s school board meeting, parents, teachers and office staff spoke about how Dunbar’s half-time principal position is affecting the school. The lack of leadership and continuity is a serious problem, in addition to placing an unfair burden on teachers and other staff. Saddest of all, it is the students’ education that is suffering the most. Yes, times are tough, we all have to sacrifice, but in terms of priorities, teachers and principals should be at the top of the list.
What does it mean to have a half-time principal? It means that half the time a disruptive student is sent back to class rather than working things out with the principal, who is a trained counselor. It means teachers are not getting the support they need to do their jobs effectively. It means that no one is there with the passion, commitment, and vision for the whole school. It means that any qualified person hired to the job will probably leave to take a full-time position as soon as they can. It means that often no one is available to show prospective parents around and get them excited about sending their child to Dunbar.
If there truly are not enough funds in the district to supply a full-time principal to every school, then the whole district should share the burden. Make all the principal positions 95 percent and Dunbar could have a 95-percent principal. Why has Dunbar been singled out as the only school in the district with a part-time principal?
I hope the board will reconsider, and find a way to meet its obligation to make education “available to all on equal terms.” Despite the best efforts of many good people, a half-time principal will never be able to provide the leadership and support which parents and staff deserve, and which our students have a right to, just like every other student in the district.

Arthur and Jill Dawson, Dunbar Parents since 2002
Glen Ellen

Editor: I am one of many Dunbar parents feeling frustrated and upset with regard to the board of directors at the Sonoma Valley Unified School District, and its blatant neglect of our school. The details will come to the surface in droves, with the mighty words of fellow Dunbar parents and teachers, along with help from the press.
As a Dunbar alumnus, I feel the need to applaud our school on a personal level. In a nutshell, the school board feels we are not worthy of a full-time principal, due to our “low” enrollment. The “low” enrollment, which seems to be our enemy, was the reason my husband and I were drawn to Dunbar in the first place. It was simply a coincidence that we moved to Glen Ellen, prior to having three children, and we were thrilled to know our kids would have Dunbar as their school, and have the same memories of the oak-studded fields that I have.
I love returning to that stunning 150-year-old campus, with all of it’s positive history, every day with my kids. Knowing they are in a safe and beautiful environment, where everyone knows their name, is a feeling beyond measure, for any parent. Not only is it a special environment, but the teaching staff is stellar, from kindergarten to fifth grade. My children and their friends have loved every teacher, every year, and they are thriving – with fantastic educations and the feeling that they are part of a family. My son and most of his Dunbar classmates have moved on to Altimira, where I know they continue to thrive. These Dunbar alumni fill the stage when Altimira announces the honor roll awards. I attribute the success of these kids to their Dunbar experience.
Point being, the District needs to understand that children from the elementary schools trickle into the middle schools and the high school, eventually making their mark in our community.
All of this said, I cannot believe there is not equity among ALL schools in the district, starting with the basics – a principal. The principal should be in place before the children enroll. I imagine anyone, with children in any school, would have to agree.
Jennifer Decker
Glen Ellen

Editor: This week, the USDA/CDFA’s eradication program will be making its entrance into two small Sonoma neighborhoods. Hundreds of twist ties impregnated with a synthetic moth attractant and other undisclosed ingredients are to be placed onto Sonoma streets and private property yards. The plan: to eradicate a moth (that has been in California for over 30 years). The total Sonoma cost: roughly $30,000, or $15,000 per moth.
With no routine environmental report, or proof that it is safe, especially to children, or proof that the program will work, and a fiscally irresponsible way of using funds – the eradication plan is wrong. Many scientists and doctors have come out in opposition to the program. Dozens of Bay Area city councils, boards of supervisors and school boards are opposed to the program, as well as over 50 organizations, including California Certified Organic Farmers and the Marin Farm Bureau.
I have contacted dozens of winegrowers and government branches of New Zealand’s Ministry of Agriculture, and no one person I spoke to expressed concern for the moth. The moth has been there for 100 years.
I hope that the Sonoma community, including grape growers, farmers, parents and doctors, will come together and oppose this frivolous program.
Please call your Supervisors Valerie Brown, Mike Kerns, Tim Smith, Paul Kelley and Mike Reilly at 707.565.2241 as well as our Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner, Lisa Correia at 707.565.2371 and Cynthia Gray, the specialist in charge of the twist ties program in Sonoma, and tell them you oppose this program and want it halted immediately. Last month, San Jose successfully banned the same program from their neighborhoods.
Let the USDA/CDFA save the money for when they really need it. For more in depth information : www.stopthespraymarin.org
Yannick A. Phillips
Sonoma
Brave words from student writer

Editor: Kudos to Kirsten Aguilar for her brave and compassionate piece on the Day of Silence (“Silence speaks volumes,” June 12).
Whether we realize it or not, most of us have in our lives someone we care about – a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker, a relative – who is gay or lesbian. It is these individuals dear to us – not a throng of distant, faceless and demonized Others – who will be hurt if we choose to write discrimination into our state constitution come November.
Lori Barron
Sonoma