Keller seeks publicity with attack on academy

AS A PARENT of a student at The GREAT Academy, I take great exception to what Tim Keller has recently said about the school and its staff. I see Keller’s recent announcement about TGA as an attempt to obtain unpaid political publicity, rather than being anything of substance. The news about TGA’s travel is untimely and unwarranted, particularly considering the auditor is not making news about any other state school with much more excessive travel costs ... . The “newsworthy” travel expenses of TGA were from 2015, and two audits conducted since, both of which were overseen by the state auditor, have already found there was no problem. The travel spending was nothing unusual as schools are required to pay for professional development, and the conferences attended are always held in the same place. Jasper and Keisha Matthews simply did not take “Disney vacations” as Keller implies.

Also, the auditor’s letter was sent to TGA in mid-September; it only became “news” once the Albuquerque mayoral race turned into a runoff. That makes the timing of Keller’s announcements very obvious to me as nothing but slinging mud for political gain.

While Keller criticizes the (combined) salary of Jasper and Keisha Matthews, I think he should first walk in their shoes. These two wonderful people are both long-time professional educators. ...

To provide a better learning environment and educational opportunities, in 2011 this incredible couple opened The GREAT Academy, a state chartered school that is also their business, which they built from the ground up. The academy is not one school, it is three. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews are not the typical principal and/or superintendent. They run a middle school, a high school, and an evening school that provides a rare opportunity— a “second chance” — for older students to earn a high school diploma. I know these two very dedicated individuals work many long hours, which is necessary when they have so many duties and responsibilities that are above and beyond what is expected of other principals or superintendents in our state.

The auditor’s slanted “news story” has no substance, and disparages two very dedicated educators ... solely to get some publicity . ...

... Keller has thrown stones at good people in an attempt to build himself up as a candidate. I think more honesty and integrity is due from the state auditor if he wants to be Albuquerque’s next mayor. CHARLES LAKINS Albuquerque