The last school board meeting was a real learning experience. I learned that it is all right for the school board president [Ken Monaghan] to scream "Shut up!" at parents. No members of the board looked even slightly embarrassed at such behavior from their "leader" so I guess they thought it was appropriate to act that way or perhaps they were afraid that they'd be screamed at next?

I learned that every board member is in total agreement with every issue voted upon. At no time, despite very provocative issues being discussed, was there one single dissenting remark or vote.

I learned that Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stephen Leitman has his "dream team" surrounding him. Mr. Monaghan began the meeting by saying the superintendent was in supreme command. I had thought that the board hired - and could fire - such a person when he consistently made faulty decisions, terminating teachers who had their principal's support, moving teachers from one school to another perhaps as a punishment for union activities or opposing views.

I learned that the teachers have a union president who doesn't support the teachers but instead makes grandstand speeches supporting the superintendent. I wondered what perks might come her way.

I learned that "professionals" observe teachers and make evaluations that are taken so seriously that they eradicate approximately 16 years of exceptional prior evaluations. But I wondered who chose these "professionals" - the superintendent or the head of the union? What petty jealousies might underlie their decision against a teacher as widely beloved as Jane Rubinstein. I wonder, in short, who polices the police?

Finally I wondered what it would take to vote the school board out of office and get a new superintendent.

Yes, I learned a lot at that school board meeting. I learned to feel very worried about the future of the Garden City Schools.

Barbara Bengels