Dear Editor,

Recently an article was published stating that Larry Wittig, the school board president at Tamaqua Area School District, is facing sexual misconduct allegations. I was shocked. This is my beloved alma mater. His tenure as school board president boasts no teacher strikes, favorable tax outcomes and a quality education. But these allegations are a big deal. I waited for the board’s action. And I waited. And I waited. To my surprise, in this post-Jerry Sandusky and Harvey Weinstein world, no action was taken. The board stated that there were no complaints, so no action was needed. What!? How can a school board justify this liability?

I know every person has a history of wrongdoings, but not every person is a school board president. The board’s inaction is in itself an action and a decision. They are silently saying, “Yes, we support this behavior.” If these allegations were just that, why was he removed or resigned from every other educational board or coaching responsibility in the state? Are his actions OK in Tamaqua? Would Tamaqua hire a teacher facing the same allegations? To quote a current male student, who wishes to remain anonymous, “We have an ironic situation here — girls at Tamaqua are punished for having their bra strap exposed but we have a school board president who doesn’t mind looking.”

Is that the message we want to send to our kids and our community? To quote a current parent, who also wishes to remain anonymous, “Tamaqua is very much an old boys club and there’s no use trying to challenge the status quo.”

What’s also disturbing is that a Tamaqua constituent shared her concerns at a recent board meeting. She was met with a personal attack on her family. The attack was a threatening play to keep her quiet. It sent a loud and clear message to others that they are not to challenge the status quo. Why can Larry Wittig have serious sexual misconduct allegations against him and we don’t bat an eye, but a concerned mother is ridiculed and ostracized?

To quote Ronald Reagan, “status quo, you know, is Latin for ‘the mess we’re in.’ ” It’s time for this status quo to be challenged and for this mess to be fixed. Furthermore, I’ve discussed this matter with current Tamaqua teachers. They are embarrassed and irate. I asked why they haven’t said something. They are afraid of retaliation. This is not OK.

Employees, students and constituents should not be fearful. It is the board’s responsibility to represent the best interest of its constituents, and this is not happening. We have a moral obligation to say something or we are also complicit. Our children and our community deserve and demand better. We want our children to know that they are powerful and will be taken seriously if they ever find themselves in the unfortunate predicament of being a victim. Our community consists of wonderful people who deserve to live their best lives. Those who hurt or threaten our community are to be held accountable, no matter their position of power. The current culture in Tamaqua is flawed, and this ends now. I’m asking for change and appropriate action of the board. We deserve better. It’s time for you to do what’s right for us.

Sincerely,

Erica Stein Herrera

Tamaqua Alumnus, Class of 2007

Pottsville