Dear Editor, I am writing this letter to address the recent story regarding a federal lawsuit against the Red

Wing School District because of Wigger day in 2009. While I agree that the actions of some students that day were unacceptable and quite offensive to many at our school, I am very saddened to hear that Ms. Pruitt has chosen to file a lawsuit against our district and its administration. The proposed $75,000 dollar fine on the district would have a hugely negative effect on everyone in the community. Shortly after the fallout of the day began, Dr. Borgen spoke with all of the student council officers about the issue and asked for our help. I can assure you that the administration has done everything in their power since that day to ensure that our school is a safe environment for all. I m sure that Ms. Pruitt is not the only one who has lost sleep since this day based on the pain and frustration that I saw Dr. Borgen experiencing during that meeting. Since that day, our school has improved in many ways due to the fallout caused by the Pruitt family and the Office of Civil Rights. These changes have helped our school improve and I believe our administration has handled the situation well. While their actions to prevent that day may have lacked, their leadership during and following that infamous Wednesday impressed me. Aside from requiring people to change clothes, they had no control over how students dressed for homecoming week. It is unfair to put them through the situation that they have been put in during the last few years. Ms. Pruitt: as it is your right to file a lawsuit against our school, I can do nothing to stop you. However, I encourage you to drop all charges against the school that provided you with a high school diploma and will provide us with ours in the near future. Please think about us, the people affected by your decision to sue our school, when you go forward in court. And if you so choose to follow through with your case, I hope that the people of Red Wing and all the students of Red Wing High School will stand with our school in court, keeping in mind the detrimental effects that will follow your legal victory. I sympathize with Dr. Borgen, Superintendent Anderson and all the staff of Red Wing High School who will, without a doubt, feel negative impacts on their lives and jobs in the wake of your decision. On behalf of all the students of Red Wing High School whose education will suffer from your lawsuit, I urge that all charges be dropped for the sake of our school.

Alex Streff