Let Others Handle School’s Problems

I am not often moved enough to write letters to the editor, but Dianne Klein’s article on Westminster High School and Bonnie Maspero, its principal, was enough to set my pen flying.

The headline “Silence Won’t Rid High School of Its Problems” (Sept. 24) is true, but Ms. Klein’s article focuses on racial problems within Westminster High School and her pursuance of a vendetta against Bonnie Maspero, its principal.

Our learned reporter needs to let the “family” of administrators, teachers, parents and students solve the problems at Westminster High School. They are not keeping their problems a secret. What they are trying to do is address the issues within the appropriate forum.

It is a difficult job building a positive social and educational climate for young adults, especially in as culturally and economically diverse a school as Westminster High. Bonnie Maspero has the task of building pride, academic excellence and cultural understanding in a difficult setting. Ms. Klein is only hindering the process.

A simple fact is escaping Ms. Klein. Very often an issue that could be solved (not silenced, but solved by open and honest discussion within the appropriate forum) gets magnified and distorted in the media. Not everyone has as altruistic an agenda as Ms. Klein. Some people feed on sensationalism, and the media need to exercise a great deal of responsibility in their reporting.

Ms. Klein certainly doesn’t have the credentials or qualifications to question the leadership and judgment of Bonnie Maspero, a seasoned professional school administrator. The principal is trying to solve a multitude of challenges in a time when education needs strong administrators willing to take on the many challenges incumbent with the job. Bonnie Maspero needs our support, not our criticism. She is trying to solve the problem. What is Ms. Klein trying to do?

Perhaps Ms. Klein needs to stick to reporting flower club meetings and Rotary luncheons. She has not been elected Orange County’s problem solver with authority to bounce in and out of sensitive and potentially explosive issues at her pleasure. Ms. Klein needs to let the pros deal with the real issues on an ongoing basis. They don’t need her help.

KENT M. McCLISH, former public school administrator,

San Clemente