I read Mr. Slusher's Dec. 19 letter about Tukwila's Foster High School protest. I very much appreciated knowing that the board of the United States Selective Service System takes a close look at the track record of individuals claiming exemptions as conscientious objectors. That is a good thing.

I also agree that a draft is imminent if this country continues with its current foreign policy. I have not figured out why the letter was sent to the attorney general but it really doesn't matter.

What does matter is that Mr. Slusher got it wrong about the Foster High School event and the Tukwila's school district's handling of it.

The school district had no problem with the student protest. All they asked is that the students bring parent permission slips. Those who did not bring permission slips were issued tardy notices as they would be in any other circumstances. So, let's be clear. There are no issues with respect to student rights. In fact, many of the students participated in the subsequent two school board meetings and were impressive and respectful.

The contractual obligations of the teachers are a personnel matter. Again, this was handled well. An outside third party was engaged to investigate what some teachers did or did not do. Based on that, one teacher received a reprimand and another received a non-disciplinary letter of direction. No one lost their job or had their rights violated.

If you go to the Website of Students Against War and Racism, you will see that they claim some sort of a victory for the students and teachers of Foster High School. I like SAWR and have participated in forums sponsored by them in previous years at the University of Washington. Frankly, they were over the top on this one.

The school district went through appropriate steps and made appropriate judgments. I am proud of our students, our teachers and our school administration. This situation reminds me that, as adults, we should not jump on an opinion bandwagon just because that is what we are "hearing" and therefore it must be true.

Chuck Parrish

Tukwila