Attacks on Van Nuys Principal Are Unfair

This letter is in response to the story (June 9) regarding Dr. Robert Scharf’s decision to terminate the medical magnet at Van Nuys High School.

First of all, by an overwhelming majority the faculty voted to keep the school on a traditional calendar. The faculty, as well as the school’s Shared Decision Making Council and various student body groups, has repeatedly fought the idea of a year-round/multi-track program since the idea was first presented as the prime option for alleviating the school’s already overcrowded conditions.

When Valley Presbyterian recently informed Dr. Scharf that it would no longer be able to participate in the magnet program, this appeared to be the perfect, ready-made solution to the problem. One of the magnets could be eliminated or housed at another Valley high school, and the other two, the math/science and performing arts magnets, could be somewhat reduced in size, thus enabling Van Nuys High to retain its traditional school calendar. At the same time, the school’s overcrowded conditions could be relieved and room would be made for the large number of residential ninth-grade students scheduled to enroll in 1996.

In attempting to meet the needs of all the stake holders of Van Nuys High School, including teachers, staff, parents and a majority of the students, Dr. Scharf demonstrated exemplary leadership. He has been unjustly attacked and it is just not fair.

LESLIE VALLEN

Van Nuys

Vallen teaches English at Van Nuys High School.