In the more than 2¹/₂ years that I have been a member [of the Upper St. Clair School Board] I have strived to make decisions using a well formed conscience and strong sense of conviction. I have also assumed that the administration and board members were doing the same. Past and current decisions have led me to believe this is not the case. Because of this and other factors, I [resigned on Aug. 11] from the board.

The decision comes after a long period of reflection. The most recent hiring of P.J. Dick as the construction manager for the middle school renovation project only solidified my distrust of how certain members of the board and administration make decisions. Massaro's bid was $174,000 to $234,000 less than P.J. Dick's.

The core issue, however, is the continued support and promotion of the International Baccalaureate program, despite the fact -- as stated more than once by the administration -- that the program is not a necessary part of the curriculum for students to achieve their educational goals. The only reason the administration gives to keep IB is that it gives students and parents a choice.

Dr. Ralph Klein, deputy regional director of IB North America, made it clear in comments to the IB Review Committee in November 2006, that the essence of IB requires students to develop their own worldview and belief system, and defend it based solely on facts and logic.

This shows a bias of reason over faith and flies in the face of fundamental self-evident truths embodied in our Declaration of Independence. Mankind's innate dignity and rights, which are derived from that dignity, are not derived from facts and logic alone, but are endowed by their creator. Faith and reason are the two wings with which the human spirit can take flight and both are essential in sustaining our country's unique vision that the dignity and rights of every human being can only be attained by obeying the natural law that speaks to the conscience of every human being.

However, we live in times when ears have become deaf to truths of natural law and only listen to arguments based on facts and logic alone.

Like it or not, our public education system plays a substantial role in the development of the consciences of our children. It would be impossible to develop a well formed conscience if the essence of your educational philosophy is that you yourself are the sole arbiter of what is right and what is wrong. The essence of the IB program, therefore, makes you wise in your estimation.

I urge those who support IB to search their hearts and consciences concerning this issue and that it be eliminated from our schools.

I did not resign because I did not get my way concerning IB, but I cannot remain on a board and work with an administration whose decisions I cannot trust or uphold. I have failed to convince some of my fellow board members and administration of the injustice of the IB program, but mostly this experience has revealed to me the depth of the moral relativism that exists in the world today.

DANIEL A. IRACKI

Upper St. Clair

I note the resignation of Upper St Clair school director Daniel Iracki from the board. [Local news, Aug. 16] Dr. Iracki cited as his "core" reason the district's continued support for its International Baccalaureate program. Indeed, the voters of USC soundly defeated the anti-IB slate in recent school board elections.

I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2006 after 26 years of service. My State Department career took me to six overseas postings. My job as a foreign service officer was to defend the interests of the United States in an increasingly dangerous world. One of my reasons for relocating to Upper St. Clair was the IB program. I was very familiar with the program and its educational objectives.

Dr. Iracki and his anti-IB colleagues openly admit that they oppose the program because they feel it violates Judeo-Christian values and is anti-American. These misguided perceptions are based in ethnocentrism and xenophobia, two major sources of conflict in the world. The voters of USC were right to turn out those espousing such provincial positions.

Globalization is a reality whether we like it or not. Those who would seek to shield our students from an international perspective do them no favors.

And so, while I am grateful to Dr. Iracki for his years of service to the USC school board, I am also grateful for his recognition that the anti-IB campaign in Upper St. Clair has come to a well-deserved conclusion. Sad to say, the students of USC will benefit from his resignation.

FRANK KERBER

Upper St. Clair

It is clear from the text of Daniel Iracki's resignation from the Upper St. Clair school board that he believes schools should value faith over reason. The only positive thing I can say about this is that at least he admits it and at least he resigned.

The First Amendment to the Constitution dictates that the government, including public schools, may not promote a religious way of life over a secular way of life.

CHUCK STARESINIC

Lawrenceville

On Aug. 16, the Post-Gazette, ran a small article about the resignation of one of the Upper St. Clair school board's more rabid opponents to the International Baccalaureate program. The article quotes Dr. [Daniel] Iracki as saying that he was opposed to the IB program because it "shows a bias of reason over faith.''

I have to ask: Why is that anything but fantastic?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the ability to reason and think rationally and logically the major difference between humans and the other species of the world? So wouldn't it make absolute sense to exalt such qualities over irrationality and superstition to promote our species' best qualities?

Isn't the lack of superstition also a major difference between civilized and primitive cultures? So what is so terrible about reason and logic and rational thought?

And just as an aside, I have to wonder: With such disdain or contempt for reason and rational thought, where and how was Dr. Iracki able to obtain an advanced degree? I always thought that a fairly proficient intellect was required for such an accomplishment. Apparently I was wrong.

W. S. KASZYCKI

West Elizabeth

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