To the Editor:
(This letter has also been sent to the Southeast Cornerstone School Division board of trustees)
I do not know Wade Oberg, but I do possess a strong sense of justice.
Before the incident in Saskatoon, I was always impressed with his exemplary reputation as principal, his superb supervision of the renovations, the difficult but outstanding job he did of the transition of the Weyburn Comp from a Grade 10-12 to a Grade 7-12 school.
I also marveled that I heard only praise, no criticism, and how respected he was by both teachers and students as an exceptional principal, educator and administrator.
My late husband, Sgt. Ed Kuhn, was in charge of the Weyburn detachment of the RCMP from 1971-77 and a highly-respected police officer, would often quote to me, “Every dog is entitled to one bite.”
It seems to me that with his excellent record, the incident in Saskatoon was his first indiscretion.
Any parent knows how easy it is to lose one’s cool when an incident occurs involving his or her child. The indiscretion then was as a parent and not as a principal.
If Mr. Oberg’s emotions got the best of him, obviously the board of education also reacted emotionally and much too quickly. I would therefore challenge the board member who has not lost his or her cool nor made a mistake in the last 20 years to cast the first stone.
Another saying of my husband was, “the punishment should fit the crime.” It is time to allow Mr. Oberg his “one bite” and to be reinstated as principal. It is also time for the board to realize that with such a long list of positives, the punishment was much too severe for one indiscretion.
You must also take into consideration that after 20 years of dedicated and exemplary service, this not only affects his present career but his retirement as well.
As a retired teacher, I also know that school boards seem to consider it a sign of weakness to change their minds. Let me assure you that if you reverse your decision, it will be a sign of strength and you will regain the respect of the community, which now is utterly dismayed that someone who has contributed so much has been treated so unfairly.
Claire Kuhn, Weyburn
