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For eight years, 1997-2005, I served as a member of the board of trustees for the WJUSD. Prior to that my professional career included 24 years as a teacher and administrator in California public schools and 13 years working for the State on educator standards and certification requirements.

As a community, we should be appalled, or, at the very least, enormously embarrassed by the decision of WJUSD school Superintendent Debra LaVoi regarding President Obama’s proposed Sept. 8 televised speech to school children.

Perhaps, if our school trustees react with appropriate speed and force, that decision to deny our students access to the President’s words may yet be reversed.

The Superintendent’s rationale for her decision as reported in The Democrat are ludicrous. She says that the curriculum and instructional time are too precious to be disturbed by the intrusion of a presidential speech designed to motivate students to achieve in their studies.

Ask teachers at school sites about intrusions and you will hear a litany of district and school site activities that disrupt the classroom. The Superintendent talks about the need to preview materials before they are used in the classroom. What does she think the President is going to say that will detract from learning?

Our students need to understand that we respect the office of the president and the occupant thereof, we do not fear him or his words. In fact, we should embrace this president’s efforts to motivate..