Bellevue School District: "We're Really Sorry"

With an abrupt about-face, and a move that's likely not to please people on either side of the debate, the Bellevue School District has reversed its decision to block President Barack Obama's "back-to-school" address. After it aired yesterday morning. Furthermore, district administrators are very, very, very sorry. An apology worthy of Profiles In Courage has been put up on the district's website...

"We applaud President Obama's message to school children to work hard, stay in school and not settle for anything less than the best possible education. It fully supports our school district's two goals and priorities of ending the achievement gap and extending learning for all students.

While we acknowledge that the process we put in place was one some of our school community members opposed, we felt the need to exercise caution in order to address all voices. We strongly encouraged all of our teachers to include the speech in their instructional plans, and we have posted a link on our website for easy access. Our intent has never been to censor our President's speech but ensure that it be used as an instructional tool imbedded in our curriculum. We apologize to those of you who may have been offended by this decision and we encourage everyone to watch the speech with your children if you are a parent and with your students if you are a teacher."

Seattle Weekly was the first to report about Bellevue's decision to take a pass on the address over the weekend. Spokesperson Ann Oxreider, Director of Communications for the district said that administrators initially made the decision because of the concerns of a few parents.

"We were responding too quickly to a flurry of activity, e-mails and phone calls," Oxreider explained. "We've learned our lesson."

Teachers are being encouraged now to air the speech. This is being done in all schools, K-12. Oxreider said that teachers are already designing their own lesson plans based on the speech. However, some of them differ from the guidelines originally set down by the White House.