Dear Editor,

I will preface the following by reminding Times News readers that I wrote a letter in early November 2021 criticizing the hiring of James Konrad as Pleasant Valley School District’s new superintendent of education.

The Times News reported recently that superintendent Konrad has approached the school district’s board of directors with a proposal to change existing policy (Policy 903) concerning public comment periods during school board meetings. He believes the policy should be amended to reduce the time allotments for public comments, from 60 minutes to 30 minutes. Mr. Konrad wants to stifle free speech further by limiting those who wish to speak to one topic only in their allotted three minutes.

It seems superintendent Konrad has revealed a side of his nature heretofore unknown. Why would anyone in their right mind even suggest restricting or limiting free speech in a public setting? At a school board meeting, no less? Can this man be clueless about all the recent citizen push-back incidents across this country when public school officials have tried to quash public comments at school board meetings?

I believe the Pleasant Valley School Board made a big mistake hiring James Konrad as superintendent. I held that belief in November 2021 and my instincts about the man are being borne out. It’s time for the school board to divest itself of Mr. Konrad.

Ernie Foucault

Kresgeville