By Dr. Lisette Bauersachs Santa Monica
As a concerned Lincoln [Middle School] parent, I attended the parent information night [Monday] night at Lincoln to get more information on the alleged teacher molestations that reportedly occurred on campus. I was so sad and then shocked to hear Lincoln Principal Komlos focus exclusively on what the students and parents should do. Apparently, it all falls on the victim(s) in this case. And then the counselors can step in after to help. Where are the school’s preventative steps and procedures?
Except for her “encouragement” of Lincoln teachers to keep their classroom doors open, she and her staff did not offer any suggestions on what they would do to protect the nearly 1,300 students entrusted under their care. “Keep the door open” sounds like “keep one foot on the floor’ — not effective and totally antiquated advice that will not protect our children. There is a clear lack of leadership at Lincoln Middle School.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 7, 2008. Read the original PDF.