Letters to the Editor

Support Doug Peters

We are band member parents, former employees of Bigfork School District and taxpayers. We are appalled and extremely disgusted at what has taken place at the Bigfork School District.

Our tax dollars are supposed to be used to give our children the best education possible and encourage moral values that make us decent human beings of the world. To our shock and dismay, Bigfork Schools chose to tell our daughter and fellow band members lies instead of the truth about Mr. Peters firing. They were told they had earned the privilege to watch a Disney move and that Mr. Peters was taking the day off.

We do not pay school taxes for them to teach our children that it is OK to lie if that gets you what you want.

We find the behavior of the Bigfork School District to be unprofessional and not acceptable. We demand an open and public apology to all the families of band members and Mr. Peters who have been used in this despicable situation that has taken place.

Mr. Peters has spent nearly 21 years being an inspiration and a role model for our children. Through his dedication this proves to our children that with hard work and practice they can achieve their dreams. We want Mr. Peters reinstated now.

Charles and Kristin Neese

Bigfork

Concerned for band director

I am writing out of deep concern for Bigfork High School band director and drivers’ education instructor Doug Peters. It is my understanding that there is a recommendation for his termination of these positions. This brings great disappointment to me as a parent and to my children who each have been his student; one is currently enrolled in his drivers’ education course.

With less than a week remaining in the school year, his students are celebrating their accomplishments: another year under their belts. Mr. Peters, a man that has dedicated more than 20 years to our community, sat quietly at home on Saturday, filled with complete sadness as many of his students were receiving diplomas across town. And while permitted to attend at the last minute, he was advised not to as he would reap the consequences if one student yelled out his name or brought attention to him during the ceremony.

How very sad. It’s as though this man has committed a crime when all he is guilty of is expressing his great concern for his program, students and the lack of supervision in our school by senior faculty members, perhaps speaking with an elevated tone at times.

To line item events to appear as though he has a history of bad behavior, if you will, or is insubordinate for failing to follow proper protocol is unacceptable. The community should understand that much of what has recently come about actually took place in a very short time frame.

It is with deep regret that the district be permitted to terminate a man that “should” have tenure to protect hum. We all, as a community, have enjoyed his personal success through his students over the years as we attended recitals at the playhouse (Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts). The respect and love that his students have for him has been demonstrated by their superior ratings. This does not reflect the unruly man the school board has attempted to portray. It appears this revolves around faculty issues and not that of the relationship with his students or his knowledge, skills and abilities, which are what I as a parent look for. To be terminated is devastating and difficult to move forward in a new career after 30 years of teaching and this man’s livelihood is at stake.

Please show your support for him and attend the meeting on June 17, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. at the BHS library.

Editor’s note: The meeting has been rescheduled for a later date, which has not yet been announced.

Marilyn Olson

Bigfork

A helping hand

On this last Memorial Day, I stopped at Local Joe’s Gas & Grub on Montana Highway 35 to look at a map. When I left the store, I inadvertently left my purse on the counter. It wasn’t until Seeley Lake that I realized what I had done. The kind gentleman who helped me with directions put my purse in safe keeping until arrangements could be made to pick it up.

I cannot say enough how the honesty of the gentleman at Joe’s Gas and Grub needs to be recognized.

Roxanne Hoblitt

Bozeman