To the editor:

I find the comments regarding the future of Education Commissioner Bob Corkins’ employment, made by State Board of Education member Bill Wagnon, arrogant and offensive. (“He’s an at-will employee of the board. When he loses six votes, he’s unemployed.” Journal-World, Aug. 9.)

Of course Corkins was chosen by the current board, in part, because of his ideological persuasions. That should not be the reason to terminate his employment. The question should be whether he is performing the job. Wagnon needs to join the rest of the state board and set aside ideological positions and seek an objective job performance evaluation.

All over this state, local boards of education work together with staff and administration despite widely varying world views and opinions. Conducting a search and changing leadership at the State Board of Education is an expensive and disruptive procedure. But why not? They’ve got all this new money!

Paul Reed,

Oskaloosa