I subscribe to and read the Cape Gazette. There are two recent comments made by Cape board member Sandy Minard that have left me dumbstruck.
The first comment was a few weeks ago during the debate concerning teaching the Bible course at the high school. Among her statements was the she tolerates the teaching of the Holocaust. I was appalled by that comment - and frankly surprised that nobody in our Jewish community called her out on that disturbing statement.
When I was reading the recent article concerning the high cost to educate students with special needs (in residential settings) it made me irate that when she was discussing the rewards-based program that they use (specifically the bags of candy and treats), she compared it to when she raised a seeing eye puppy. I wonder if she has ever ventured into a classroom at the Consortium here in Lewes.
Tangible rewards such as candy are used regularly to shape behavior in students with autism. As a parent of a student who has graduated from the Consortium program, I am highly offended by the parallel she has made between my son and a dog. Perhaps before Sandy Minard speaks publicly she should think before she speaks, or perhaps, better yet, maybe she should stop speaking.
Nancy Berg
Lewes
-
A letter to the editor expresses a reader's opinion and, as such, is not reflective of the editorial opinions of this newspaper.
To submit a letter to the editor for publishing, send an email to newsroom@capegazette.com. Letters must be signed and include a telephone number and address for verification. Please keep letters to 500 words or fewer. We reserve the right to edit for content and length. Letters should be responsive to issues addressed in the Cape Gazette rather than content from other publications or media. Only one letter per author will be published every 30 days. Letters restating information and opinions already offered by the same author will not be used. Letters must focus on issues of general, local concern, not personalities or specific businesses.
