Mayor Maintaining Tradition of Congratulatory Letters to Honor Roll Students

So the mayor is still sending congratulatory letters to students who make the honor rolls at Rockville High School and Vernon Center Middle School.

And the debate over it is still going on at Board of Education meetings.

The practice of sending letters by current Mayor George Apel and his predecessor, Jason McCoy, both Republicans, had come into question several times over the past three years. 

This time around - on Monday - Democratic Board member Michele Arn asked for a clarification on how it all works.

And here's what happens according to the administrations in Town Hall and the Superintendent of Schools' office:

At the start of each school year, parents are asked if their children can appear on lists and in images for both the school system and events that might be covered by local media outlets.

Parents who do not want their children's names or images shared in public designate that.

Each marking period, the honor rolls are distributed - with those names redacted. The mayor then obtains a copy of the honor roll lists, writes letters to those on the honor rolls and the letters go back to the school administration, where they are addressed and sent out.

The mayor does not see the addresses but reimburses the school system for postage - less than $200 for each school.

Apel said he does not consider the practice worthy of debate because he is recognizing students for achievement. 

McCoy had made a similar argument when he was in office.

On the Town Council and Board of Education, it seems fashionable to like it or question it depending on the political affiliation.

"I don't understand why you would question something like this," one Republican council member said. "When I was young, if I received a letter of congratulation from the town's chief executive, I would have been happy."

The council member said the letter would either have been framed or placed on another gallery of honor - the fridge.

Some Democrats on the school board wanted to make sure the mayor's office was not violating anyone's privacy.

One school board member wondered aloud at Monday's meeting why school system employees were addressing letters and doing the work of municipal staff members.

Apel said he plans to continue sending the letters.