School board member defends email exchange

Regarding the Feb. 2 story “Mascot issue discussed ahead of time,” I want to say that what my colleagues on the Fayetteville School Board said in our e-mail exchange was in my view completely appropriate, attempting to clarify what we had voted on last fall. My colleagues did nothing wrong.

My remark, however, crossed a line and I must apologize. I will say two things in my defense. First, when our board president, Justin Eichmann, wisely reminded me that such communications could violate rules, I immediately stopped.

Justin does a great job as board president, has accumulated a few gray hairs in this role, and this is not the first time in the past year I have been grateful for his leadership.

Second, the Freedom of Information Act’s chief purpose is to keep public officials from hiding their views.

I am not hiding anything. I communicated that central admin must show great respect for school communities, something I have said quite often in public and private, and in this case might attempt to accommodate the Woodland community rather than enforcing conformity. That said, I apologize for reacting off the cuff. BOB MARANTO Fayetteville Fayetteville School Board, Zone 2

Editor’s note: Bob Maranto requested a note to indicate he submitted this letter in response to the Feb. 2 story but prior to a Feb. 10 editorial regarding the school board members’ actions.