Tonight I am ashamed to be represented by a school board that has chosen to place small-town politics and personal grudges before the welfare of our students. In failing to renew Dr. Erickson’s contract one year before his planned retirement they have not only removed one of the most honorable men I have ever known from the position, they have also put the district in the unnecessary predicament of having to rush to hire his replacement.

The only thing Dr. Erickson has done is to stand up and be accountable for whatever mistakes he may have made, while the board has been more than happy to use him as a scapegoat in its attempt to distance itself from its own failures.

Not that it comes as any surprise when at least one board member made it very clear while running that their primary objective was to remove Dr. Erickson from his position. Two years ago, I ran for a position on the board. Now I am considering pulling my child out of the district, if for no other reason than to protect him from such small-minded people and personal vendettas. I appreciate and respect those board members who fought for Dr. Erickson, and I thank Dr. Erickson for so selflessly serving our children.

Bill Weatherford,

Tonganoxie