Why my children won't go to Hardy Middle School

As a journalism professor, I was stunned by staff writer Bill Turque's "love letter" to Patrick Pope, principal of Hardy Middle School in Georgetown. He noted that D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee is trying to address why so few parents in the Hardy feeder area are sending their children to Mr. Pope's school ["Not eager to march to Rhee's drum," Metro, Nov. 13]. Any journalist who does not ask: "Why aren't they?" should seek another business. So should any editor who lets this question slide.

The answers aren't hard to find; a phone call to a Local School Restructuring Team or PTA would do it. While Hardy does have a wonderful band and arts program, what of my children who don't want to do band and yet whose designated middle school is Hardy? Mr. Pope's open disdain for parents and spoken indifference to the overall academic development of his incoming charges have driven many of us reluctantly to determine that we will not send our children to a Hardy run by Mr. Pope.

And letter writer Michael Coscia ["At Hardy Middle School, a principal worth keeping," Nov. 17] says Ms. Rhee "should resist the efforts by a vocal few to add alternative programming." It is not a "vocal few." It has been, until recently, a silent many. I don't need "warm and fuzzy," but I do need responsive and committed to my children's education.

Amos Gelb, Washington