Trustee sets bad example with comments

The article about the Clovis Unified dress code (Jan. 29) raises an issue much larger than what to wear to school. A public official, Ginny Hovsepian, elected by the citizens and taxpayers of Clovis, said this: “Just because it’s a law doesn’t mean we need to put up with it.” There are serious problems with this.

First, school board members take an oath to uphold the law. It goes like this: I solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America, the Constitution of the State of California, and the laws of the United States and the State of California.

Second, there is an established process for changing a law; a public official would be expected to initiate that process, but respect the law in the meantime.

Third, this position does not represent me or other citizens of Clovis who believe in the rule of law.

Lastly, this school official should think twice about what her position communicates to students. Schools and law enforcement have enough of a challenge channeling the exuberance of youth without a board member telling students they can choose the laws they want to abide by and those they don’t.

This story was originally published February 5, 2016 at 7:33 AM with the headline "Trustee sets bad example with comments."