The 2011 school year has ended and I wish to share some facts surrounding the incident of November 2011 when seven athletes were dismissed.

One person decided the fate of these students by enforcing an antiquated and failed policy — one that was not followed by the administration! Penalties were handed out to athletes only and no other co-curricular students also subject to the policy. Barbara Kline, principal and superintendent, was investigator, judge, jury and executioner in what was a “grand inquisition.” From WIAA policy: A “School Eligibility Board” is to research accusations and make recommendations to the principal. In this case the principal made recommendations to herself?! Principal Kline now refuses to remove herself from that board. She should be reported to, not be part of that reporting board. Orcas school policy states as soon as a student is “suspected” of violating a contract there will be a meeting with parents and child(ren).

That meeting didn’t happen until after Mrs. Kline interviewed the students individually and behind closed doors … without a parent present. In a public meeting, when an adult admitted to Mrs. Kline that he broke the law by providing a place for a party, she did not report it to the Sheriff’s Department. When asked why, Mrs. Kline replied, “The Sheriff’s Department does not care to know, they never have in the past.” According to deputies both past and present I have spoken with, that statement is false. Only students paid for violating policy. What happened to adults who not only violated policy but the law? Absolutely nothing! Just what are we teaching? Parents, coaches, and representatives from interest groups have met since January to review the policy. The decision to axe students from their teams has done more harm than good – for some, sports is the only positive thing in their lives. The decision to remove a kid from a team has the opposite effect of the desired outcome.  Revisiting and revising this policy is one step in the right direction. Bringing adults to answer for their infractions would be another. Rectifying the wrong of absolute authority: priceless. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Kathy Jensen

Orcas Island