To the editor:

As reported on the LJWorld.com Web site on March 3, the Lawrence school board does not see why the names of finalists for the superintendent of schools should be made public before they choose the successful candidate.

I am disappointed to find out that the board feels this way. Throughout my 1995-1999 tenure on the USD 497 board, I tried time and time again to impress upon the board and the district administration the absolute necessity for all activities of the board and the administration to be carried out in the full light of day. It is not enough for the board to do good things; it is imperative that the board be seen to be doing good things.

Carrying out public business in secret should be reserved only for those issues that must be done in private. Doing anything else, no matter how beneficial the activities may actually be, can lead to mistrust of the school district by the citizens and taxpayers who support the district, something that no tax-supported public school district can afford.

All aspects of the search for a public school superintendent, including the names of the finalists for the position, should be public. It is extremely unfortunate that this did not happen here.

Kerry Altenbernd,
Lawrence