Varney misrepresents letter

Emily Varney, either intentionally or ignorantly, grossly misrepresents the claims we make in a letter to the Alpine School District ("Manila parents meet with administrators," April 30). Regarding discipline, over 90 percent of the more than 50 parents who signed the letter do not represent students who might be considered disruptive. Alternative attempts at communication were made by parents before going to the district. We found the school unresponsive and at times even dismissive. Furthermore, we do not ask for the abolition of investigations math, merely that school faculty feel empowered and comfortable teaching district-mandated math facts material and that traditional methods of reaching answers be praised when appropriate and not denigrated. We have been painstaking in gathering our facts in these issues. Perhaps other individuals have not.

Scott Belliston

Pleasant Grove