This is in response to the article (March 16) about the Auburn school teacher who spoke at an Auburn School Committee meeting.

Tina Vanasse should study U.S. history. Her remarks were out of place, and for her to ask for other people in attendance to “shut up” uncalled for.

The superintendent and teachers are required to answer questions. Maybe people should have been asking questions before now. One does not need to be an education expert to ask questions, but the experts have to answer. Those experts work for the taxpayers. Nobody makes perfect decisions every time.

I have taught in the public school system and have substituted at the middle school (in English) and at EL (in math and music). One day I had five math classes at EL on percentages and was surprised to learn that more than 50 percent of the sophomores in those classes did not understand percentages.

Money does not grow on trees, and when people ask about tax dollars, it is truly grassroots in action. I spent 21 years in the Navy to guarantee Ms. Vanasse’s right to say what she said, even when I vigorously disagree with her overall tone and insinuations.

Ms. Vanasse is there to teach. Getting grants in her area of expertise is great news for taxpayers. Important as that is, it is still not an excuse for the almost irrational attitude toward the taxpayer. We can dare to ask questions and, even more importantly, we expect, nay, demand truthful answers.

A. John Hyman, Auburn