Letter -Disappointed with board

Dear Editor,

Last week a letter writer touched on the manner in which Sandy Gehrke was treated by school board attorney Mick Waldspurger. I too am sorely disappointed that not one board member raised their voice in opposition to this charade. In my opinion all other board members (Mark Kaisersatt, Pat German, Lynn Robson, Tom Holland, Brian Bell and Dan Tjornehoj) were complicit in this action by not speaking out. If any of these board members would like to explain their action then I am all ears.

The agenda item where this event took place was so vague that Ms. Gehrke raised strenuous opposition to the proceedings. Her name was not mentioned in the agenda item, nor was she given any notice to prepare a rebuttal. What proceeded from there was so scripted that it would make pro wrestling promoter Vince McMahon blush. How can such a spectacle take place without even one school board member raising a question?

As stated by the writer last week there is a provision in Wisconsin open meeting law that is called "walking quorum" -- board members are not to have discussions and agreement beforehand an any issues that are on the agenda. Was there a violation of the Wisconsin open meetings law at the last school board meeting? Take a look for yourself at www.riverchannel.org and see what you think about this meeting.

What else would you call it if only one member had no clue what an agenda item was about, yet every other member went along as though they were prepared for what took place? Having viewed the tape, you can even see board member Lynn Robson reading her prepared remarks. This takes place from 2:20:40 to 2:21:50. How does Ms. Robson know that it was the behavior of Sandy Gehrke that was to be discussed during this generic agenda item? Furthermore, how did Lynn Robson know what the so-called "independent" findings were going to be?

What did the other six board members know about the generic agenda item and when did they know it? Sounds to me like legitimate questions for the district attorney to be asking.

Curt Weese, North Hudson

Tags: opinion, letters, education