The State of Maine Board of Education showed no shame in hiring two supposedly objective consultants, at taxpayer expense, to evaluate Penobscot Valley High School’s educational programs. Numerous errors were found in this report, yet neither of the two individuals who wrote that document contacted PVHS to make needed corrections. Also, the current education commissioner and state board chairperson simply accepted the flawed report, even after being made aware of its many shortcomings, at a state board meeting in Augusta recently.

The state board allowed these two former educators to attack not only our programs but also our staff in ways close to being slanderous. Does the board routinely act this rashly and in such a haphazard manner, where all the rules for an equal playing field are quickly forgotten? MSAD 31 students are living proof that lifelong learning results such as honesty, truthfulness and integrity aren’t necessarily alive and well in Augusta.

I’m further angered that Gov. Baldacci hasn’t commented on this miscarriage of justice. With Maine’s anticipated billion-dollar deficit, one could question the sense in hiring state-paid consultants to “rubber stamp” a decision that was obviously made last July by the board. MSAD 31 taxpayers and those in the rest of Maine deserve better.

Linda Leavitt McCullen

Howland