LETTER: State found mural destruction wrong, so is decision to appeal

To Ozaukee Press:

I am writing in regard to the Cedarburg School District’s decision to appeal the finding by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction that the district did not conduct a reasonable investigation according to its policies to determine if a racially hostile environment exists in its school district.  

The appeal is a complete waste of taxpayer dollars. In a school district that exceeded its legal budget by more than $30,000 last year, why is the School Board not concerned about being responsible with the use of taxpayer dollars this year. Instead of doing a reasonable investigation regarding racial hostility in our school district as it should have in the first place, and following its policies, it is spending thousands of taxpayer dollars unnecessarily on the appeal.  

The Cedarburg School Board claims that it followed policy when it painted over and destroyed the “Love is Universal” mural created by students last summer. But the board did not follow its policies to determine if a racially hostile environment exists in the district.

We deserve better than this. In April, I will be looking for Cedarburg School Board candidates who can consistently follow policy and appropriately apply it to every situation that arises. I want board members who are fiscally responsible when spending taxpayer dollars.

Most importantly, I want to elect board members who will create a school environment that is inclusive, accepting and safe for all students in the district.

Suzy McManus
Cedarburg