Readers React: LAUSD brings back a critical voice on iPads

Thanks to the attention of The Times’ Steve Lopez and other reporters, the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Board of Education decided that perhaps it acted hastily in initially removing Stuart Magruder from the Bond Oversight Committee after his rightful criticism of the ill-considered $1-billion iPad program. (“LAUSD reappoints member of bond oversight panel after uproar,” June 17)

Magruder has tried to bring some badly needed realism to this project, which has been pushed forward without being fully thought through, omitting such basic considerations as costs, funding, maintenance and responsibility. As an entity that should be teaching students critical thinking, it would be expected that the district’s leaders practice critical thinking themselves.

What other foolhardy expenditures might the district make next without levelheaded types like Magruder in place? Thank you, L.A. Times.

Harvey Barkan

Studio City

I suppose the school board, which had at first fired Magruder, could not stand the negative public sentiment its action stirred. Now the board has taken him back — and can continue to ignore his opinion without the poor public relations problems encountered upon his firing.

And who said the board was out of touch?

Peter Stern

Culver City