Oak Park School Policies

* Re “School Board Moves to Change Policies,” Sept. 21.

Here we go again; another knee-jerk reaction by the educrats. We are going to spend vital education funds to baby-sit high school teams on overnight trips. All this because of an isolated instance in Santa Ynez by the Oak Park football team.

Disciplinary actions include a four-game suspension of the head football coach, Dick Billingsly, and staggered two-game suspensions of 18 players.

The student offenders, who indulged in alcoholic beverages, are kids with solid foundations. They were instructed by their coaches to be aware and resistant to the exact temptation that came their way. A number of them failed.

These kids let their coaches down but in the interim have come forth with a written statement blaming only themselves. Congratulations, lads, you have passed from adolescence to being men.

Baby-sitters are not needed. Oak Park did it right. They expected their players to act honorably. Those who fouled lost honor and trust. Their no-excuse statement restores most of that honor. Self-anointed educrats should not, for political reasons, change anything.

Suspend Billingsly? After the heartfelt confession by his transgressors he should get a raise. When was the last time you read of perpetrators standing up and acknowledging responsibility, not making excuses?

I’ve known Billingsly since 1967 and was a college teammate of his. It sickens me to see him put in this light. If I have ever been fortunate enough to meet anyone more straightforward, upstanding, straight-talking and morally sound than Billingsly, I couldn’t name him or her.

Shame on you, Oak Park educrats.

MICHAEL HANNIN

Newbury Park