Unjust Suggestion

June 27, 2008

Dear Editor,

We, the undersigned parents of children attending the SMMUSD, have followed with great interest your recent coverage of the personnel changes being implemented at Lincoln Middle School. These involve reassignment of Principal Tristan Komlos and Assistant Principal Francis Costanzo to other positions in the SMMUSD. (School Board to Consider New Child Abuse Policy, Personnel Changes," June 24, 2008)

At this point in time we feel it is neither appropriate nor necessary to debate the seemliness of these decisions, but are writing to voice our concern over the subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, inference in your coverage that these actions are a consequence of the recent arrest of longtime Lincoln ESL teacher Thomas Beltran on charges of child molestation.

We caution those in the journalism community, and for that matter, those in the SMMUSD Administration and School Board, to have care how you go. The heartbreak and suffering of the children and families who were victims in this situation cannot be attributed to two individuals and indeed, particularly in the situation of Ms. Komlos, largely predated her tenure.

To suggest that a decision to transfer them to another position rests solely, or primarily, on this tragedy is unjust. On the District’s part, it suggests a search for an acceptable scapegoat, and on the part of the Press it smacks of a search for compelling headlines.

The anguish that we in the community feel over this situation is profound. Our teachers and staff are heartbroken and our children are shaken. However, the vast majority of us can return to our lives saddened but unchanged. For Ms. Komlos and Mr. Costanzo, there is the very real potential, one that your coverage encourages, that the taint of association will follow each throughout their careers. That would be unforgivable.

Respectfully,