Letters to the Editor (5-20-08)

A couple of Letters to the Editor regarding this stupid mess. The first one from Brent Wogahn, ECASD board member. My comments, as usual: Comm. Wogahn's claims that "the fact that the document is there at all in Klaus' file is not meaningless...we will continue to inquire into the facts..." blah, blah, blah.... The ECASD has had MONTHS to inquire about this and has not done a DAMNED thing until the LT story appeared in April even though they, apparently, knew the details in October (6 months!!!). The public confidence in the ECASD is shot. We don't even want to hear their stupid clarifications about whether things were "in context" or not.

Let's get to the big picture: Klaus and Olson faked and backdated a document that was intended to give him his retirement stipend before he even retired. End of story. Game over. Do your jobs.

The second letter says it all: Fire Bill Klaus.

Maria


Updated: 5/19/2008 5:22:01 PM
Comment needed context

In Leader-Telegram reporter Julian Emerson's article on Friday, May 16, I am quoted as saying that "the document signed by Olson was at that point meaningless, and attempts to prove fraud on the board's part would be counterproductive." While the statements attributed to me are factually accurate, context is everything.

The Feb. 5 document signed by Carol Olson will never have any legal effect on the contract the Eau Claire Area School District has with William Klaus, and that is what I meant by calling it meaningless. The fact that the document is there at all in Klaus' file is not meaningless to either the school board or myself. We will continue to inquire into the facts of this case. The way Emerson includes my comment makes it appear as if I feel the existence of the document is meaningless to this community. That couldn't be further from the truth.

The decision on whether Klaus' actions rise to the level of fraud is up to District Attorney Rich White. We on the board will need to decide the next appropriate action to take and whether Klaus can recover his credibility in order to be an effective administrator.

BRENT WOGAHN

Eau Claire school board member

Updated: 5/20/2008 7:32:01 AM

Klaus should go

We all should give a big "Thank You" to the Leader-Telegram reporter Julian Emerson for his fine work on exposing what a farce the Eau Claire school board has become.

Now the school board is in a dilemma of what to do about Bill Klaus. Let me help you out: "You are fired!" Eau Claire schools do not need a principal with no principles. The school has no money to keep schools open, yet they throw money at new Superintendant Ron Heilmann.

I will vote "yes" on any future school referendum right after the school board starts making cuts in administrators' pay and benefits.

GERALD N. OTTO