Many unanswered questions

Editor,

The majority of the Arlee School District Board, during their consideration of the past alcohol incident on field trips, have displayed a haughty, "I know better than you," attitude. Their actions have engendered a lack of trust in the community, and have raised questions about conflicts of interest and votes cast that might reflect personal interests, not school district interests.

The Teachers' Union, Arlee Education Association (AEA) has been very eloquent in their silence. It leaves questions about whether they condone the actions of the teachers. It seems that their only positive input to day is to require that the mother's lawyers be paid for at taxpayers” expense. The recent letters to the community by the teachers in question, as an apology for their actions, didn't even state what they were apologizing for. Probably, on the advice of their Union lawyers, and probably at the direction of the school district.

To date we have seen no action from the Lake County Attorney, the Missoula County Attorney, the Sanders County Attorney, or the U.S. Attorney for Montana.

The promised recall petitions are being held up by the School Board lawyers at taxpayers' expense. We also have seen no action by the County Superintendent.

I do not hold out any hope for a positive outcome from the State Superintendent of Schools because of pressure that will surely be brought to bear by organized labor, the Montana Education Association (MEA).

There has been talk of lawsuits if the district leadership fails in their responsibilities to resolve this situation — more taxpayer expense. The school board majority has apparently decided to tough it out, no matter the taxpayers' expense.

The possibility of mounting and possibly crippling expenses to the Arlee School District (taxpayers of the district) is on the horizon.

It makes no sense to incur millions of dollars of future debt plus an unknown interest rate. It will also require more lawyers at taxpayers' expense to dot all the "i's" and cross all the "T's."

Because of the unknown future expenses brought about by the majority of the school board members” actions, I urge a "No" vote on the Arlee school bonds, Nov. 7.

Sandra Lee

Arlee

Editor's note: Local county attorneys have no jurisdiction over actions taken in other states.