Westminster Principal Stepping on Constitution

Editor’s note: What follows is the statement signed by 114 of teacher Lew Boyles’ ESL students at Westminster High School.

Unhappy with recent newspaper articles about events at Westminster High School, Principal Bonnie Maspero last Thursday addressed 2,400 students through the school intercom during homeroom. Because newspapers, she said, often “distort,” “exaggerate,” and “do not always tell the truth,” they really do not contribute to the well-being of our school.

Therefore, she urged students not to talk to reporters. If approached, just walk away, she said. Maspero contended that our fall opening has been quiet and positive--although seven handcuffed students were taken away in squad cars that very day, and at least one reporter was escorted off campus.

I then took some time to explain to my 173 ESL (English as a second language) immigrant students from 15 countries that the first 10 reasons why they want to live in the United States include the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. Lose those freedoms, and this country will be no more desirable than the countries from which they have just fled.

Students agreed that the problems we have at Westminster will not be solved by stepping on the Constitution, and more than 100 students signed a statement indicating they will not surrender their First Amendment rights to the principal. If teachers or students at this high school want to talk to the press, we will.

LEW BOYLES

Teacher

Westminster High School