Schoolteacher’s Denunciation of Board Candidates

Thank you for publishing the fine article concerning the very important, yet, to many voters, obscure school board elections for Capistrano Unified School District. CUSD Elementary Teacher of the Year Lee Watson’s clear and concise statements are a breath of fresh air in these pre-election days.

It’s a shame that people like the four candidates, Steve Caulkins, Dustin Etheredge, Don Richardson and J. Michael Sedillo, with their so-called religious principles, could be so devious in attempting to attain such an important public office. Only Caulkins even bothered to file a statement for the ballot; none of the four will even introduce themselves at board meetings or even talk to the (Capistrano Unified) Educators Assn. Just what do they have planned for public education?

You can get a fine private education in most countries of the world, but a good public education system is the backbone of a strong democracy and a bargain at most any price. Don’t get me wrong, private education is a fine thing. I’m not against it at all. But let’s keep it private. Let’s not pay for it with voucher money taken from funds intended for public education--or with any other tax monies for that matter.

Let’s keep religion--all of them--separate from our government. Let’s send the message to politicians at all levels--local, state and federal--that we want to strengthen, not weaken, public education.

STEPHEN R. JORGENSEN

Dana Point