Let’s get the record straight here. The letter from CVUSD board president Tim Stephens (Thousand Oaks Acorn, Sept. 8) suggests that attending a school board meeting somehow constitutes “a vocal minority . . . try(ing) to impose their agenda on this district.” The evidence clearly indicates that it is in fact the school board that is trying to impose its misguided agenda on the local community.

The public generally does not attend school board meetings in large numbers. Only when a “hot” issue comes up does attendance soar. Why bother having public board meetings if public comments fall on deaf ears anyway? The absolute minimum of acceptable responses to the recent textbook controversy would have been to postpone the matter until more members of the public had an opportunity to express their wishes. There was absolutely no rush. The existing text has been in use for years. Three of my four children have used it.

Mr. Stephens doctored his statistics. He mentions the yellow speaker cards (118 total) but neglects to mention that the overwhelming majority of these were firmly against the board’s position. Dismissing 20 of them on technicalities still leaves an overwhelming majority (79 out of 98, i.e. 80 percent) opposed to this action. He then cites the statistics of those who actually were permitted to speak, and concludes that 56 percent does not constitute a “majority.” Remedial math, anyone?

When an elected board ignores such an obvious display of public interest, it raises serious questions about competence and allegiance. This board acted in a most unprofessional manner.

I am disappointed, to say the very least. I would demand that the four arrogant members responsible for this manifestation of administrative incompetence submit their resignations immediately, but in the current political climate they would almost certainly respond by blaming the whole thing on President Bush. Dirk A. DeKreek