Apology is needed

Dear Editor:

On Aug. 21 I attended the regularly scheduled DUSD school board meeting. During the call to the public, Mr. Michael Nava, a former teacher for the district, read from his prepared document, his opinion concerning the recent raises given by the board to Superintendent Sheila Rogers and Assistant Superintendent Bonnie Lopez.

Mr. Nava has every right to express his opinions. And, according to current DUSD policy, he has a right to state his opinions during the call to the public. But he went beyond the pale when his opinions degenerated into vicious verbal assaults on Mrs. Rogers and Mrs. Lopez.

Mr. Nava used the call to the public for a well orchestrated character assassination attempt. In my opinion, his remarks were threatening and intimidating. The entire episode could have been halted. Regrettably, no one on the board intervened, a disappointing impression of tacit approval.

The overwhelming message from last night’s meeting was one of challenge. In a lengthy discussion about how it takes the involvement of everyone in a community to unite in civic engagement, Mr. Nava displayed the antithesis of the kind of behavior needed to make Douglas and its citizens exemplary. His efforts to question and promote open dialog were perceived to be harassing and bullying behavior. Only Michael Nava knows what motive he had for such a shocking lack of civility.

In my opinion, Michael Nava owes Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Lopez, the DUSD school board and the citizens of Douglas a sincere and heartfelt apology.

Sincerely

Susan Bickel