Perspective: School case requires candor

The alarm bells start going off when a school supervisor wants to discuss corruption allegations publicly, and the first thing his bosses do is gag him and question his mental stability. Hillsborough School Superintendent Earl Lennard has a serious problem on his hands. The public is watching, and the elected School Board had better deal with this mess openly and fairly.

It's beyond explanation why Doug Erwin, the school system's operations director, should be told by Lennard's top assistant he couldn't speak at a School Board meeting until after sitting down with the superintendent. Every resident has a right to address the board, especially a 33-year veteran with a distinguished career who is in a capacity to know about the alleged thefts of school funds. The very nature of his job and the seriousness of the issue should have prompted the board to make every accommodation to add him to the agenda.

But board members are backing Lennard. The charitable reason is that they miss the point. The main issue isn't Erwin's job, but the substance of his allegations. The board needs answers on whether crimes were committed, who knew and what the administration did or didn't do to punish those responsible.

Erwin clearly is prepared to be held accountable for making his allegations. If they are shaky, the board and the public need to see that, too. An outside probe would have credibility. Then the district could deal with the separate issue of Erwin's treatment by his superiors.

It is too early to make determinations on the veracity of any criminal claims. Sticking one's head in the sand makes that job all the much harder. Lennard said Friday the matter "will soon" become public record, but it's worth noting the district has refused for months a Times request for records in the case. The board has a very public story on its hands. A lack of candor will make it worse.

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