grad night

Wilhelm's statements were accurate

I am a counselor at Lake Pend Oreille High School. Like most of the staff, I too, was caught off guard when we found out that our students could not attend Grad Night.

I have been reading the letters in the paper and blogs on the Bee's Web site with much interest. It is nice to see that there is so much community support for our students.

I must, however, come to the aid of my colleague Randy Wilhelm with regards to the “Face to Face” radio program that aired last week. During the program, Laura Bry, said that the points Randy made in his “letter to the editor” as to why our students were not allowed to attend Grad Nigh were “false.” Let me assure you they are not.

I personally made the calls to one of the Grad Night committee organizers and was questioned about the amount of credits required for our diplomas, the possibility of opening up the event to “home-schoolers,” the issue of our parents not helping to organize the event, and finally, that “grant monies would be jeopardized.”

All of these issues were stated as reasons that our students should not attend Grad Night.

I will not name the person who made these remarks and asked these questions, but let me assure you that everything in Randy's letter was accurate. I hope both schools can move forward in a positive direction to find a solution for the 2009 graduating classes.

COLLEEN ROSS

Sagle