News
Opinion
ENLARGE
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — Opponents of the implementation of International Baccalaureate into Incline's schools have often voiced concerns as to whether the school district has attempted to silence teachers, parents and community members who express skepticism regarding the curriculum's value to local students.
Those concerns were perhaps recently compounded when Dan Carne, the Washoe County School District board member representing Incline Village, sent an e-mail to Incline resident Kathryn Kelly, the author of a local education blog at www.tahoebonanza.com, which appeared to dissuade her from featuring content that may portray the district or Incline schools in a negative light.
“With regard to your blog — I'm not sure whether you have actually sent it or not,” wrote Carne in a Friday, July 23 e-mail to Kelly, which was obtained last week by the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza. “If not, can we please talk first.”
Carne than listed his concerns and finished by saying:
“This probably came across a little harsh, but we need teamwork and unity in Incline — not a broadside from another quarter.”
WCSD Assistant Superintendent Pedro Martinez — who has spearheaded IB's implementation at Incline's schools — was carbon copied on the message, which was sent originally from Carne's personal e-mail address.
In a Tuesday, Aug. 3, phone interview with the Bonanza, Carne clarified his position.
“I probably overstated my position a little in that e-mail,” Carne said. “Kathryn and I were chatting about my concerns with a lot of negative news considering we have a new principal (Stacey Cooper) just being introduced to the district.”
Carne said he hoped to convince Kelly to try and provide Incline with a sense of unity, rather than division, while concentrating on positive aspects of the district.
“It's not my job and it's not my right to censor Kathryn or tell her what to write,” Carne said.
Carne said he never thought of suggesting that Kelly discontinue the blog.
Kelly commented on the issue this week.
“Dan and I met and he was very gracious,” Kelly said Tuesday. “He said he just did not want Stacey (Cooper) to begin her tenure without the support of the community.”
Kelly is unsure whether she will continue the blog, but has put a considerable amount of research into investigating empowerment schools.
Kelly said the blog — if continued — will remain neutral regarding IB.
“The idea (behind creating the blog) was to find a neutral ground for discussion, move on to bigger issues than IB,” wrote Kelly in a response e-mail to Carne. “This blog is definitely not supposed to be pro- or anti- anything, and hopefully more of a neutral discussion forum to generate some creative thought from people not heard from thus far.”
Those concerns were perhaps recently compounded when Dan Carne, the Washoe County School District board member representing Incline Village, sent an e-mail to Incline resident Kathryn Kelly, the author of a local education blog at www.tahoebonanza.com, which appeared to dissuade her from featuring content that may portray the district or Incline schools in a negative light.
“With regard to your blog — I'm not sure whether you have actually sent it or not,” wrote Carne in a Friday, July 23 e-mail to Kelly, which was obtained last week by the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza. “If not, can we please talk first.”
Carne than listed his concerns and finished by saying:
“This probably came across a little harsh, but we need teamwork and unity in Incline — not a broadside from another quarter.”
WCSD Assistant Superintendent Pedro Martinez — who has spearheaded IB's implementation at Incline's schools — was carbon copied on the message, which was sent originally from Carne's personal e-mail address.
In a Tuesday, Aug. 3, phone interview with the Bonanza, Carne clarified his position.
“I probably overstated my position a little in that e-mail,” Carne said. “Kathryn and I were chatting about my concerns with a lot of negative news considering we have a new principal (Stacey Cooper) just being introduced to the district.”
Carne said he hoped to convince Kelly to try and provide Incline with a sense of unity, rather than division, while concentrating on positive aspects of the district.
“It's not my job and it's not my right to censor Kathryn or tell her what to write,” Carne said.
Carne said he never thought of suggesting that Kelly discontinue the blog.
Kelly commented on the issue this week.
“Dan and I met and he was very gracious,” Kelly said Tuesday. “He said he just did not want Stacey (Cooper) to begin her tenure without the support of the community.”
Kelly is unsure whether she will continue the blog, but has put a considerable amount of research into investigating empowerment schools.
Kelly said the blog — if continued — will remain neutral regarding IB.
“The idea (behind creating the blog) was to find a neutral ground for discussion, move on to bigger issues than IB,” wrote Kelly in a response e-mail to Carne. “This blog is definitely not supposed to be pro- or anti- anything, and hopefully more of a neutral discussion forum to generate some creative thought from people not heard from thus far.”
They said it
“It's not my job and it's not my right to censor Kathryn or tell her what to write.”
— Dan Carne, WCSD trustee |
