Disappointed was an understatement concerning my thoughts about how Conejo Valley Unified School District handled President Obama’s speech for students.

How does one turn a thoughtful, inspirational and nonpartisan intention into politics? He’s our president and was addressing our country as such!

This was a historic event; our president wanted to positively address and inspire “the future of America.”

I wasn’t a fan of President George W. Bush, but if he had the initiative and insight to address America’s school children the way President Obama did, I would have welcomed his speech, too.

President Obama encouraged America’s children to work hard, stay in school, be responsible, learn from failures and strive to become a successful person for themselves and their country. The text of this speech was available in advance.

Why wouldn’t the district encourage every principal and teacher to have the students watch? Instead, T.O. High School students needed a permission slip signed by parents in advance to view the president of the United States, and this only occurred if their third period teacher considered airing the speech in class.

Unfortunately my children lost out. I’m glad that our local elementary school principal had the wisdom and forethought to air the speech for all students. Not only because the speech was inspirational but because it was a special moment in history with an important message for all Americans, not just Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Independents, conservatives, liberals, etc. Bonnie Clarfield-Bylin Thousand Oaks