Now that the March 30 court appearance has taken place in the Stephen Williams case, there are still decisions to be made regarding next year. Unfortunately for all involved, it will be months until any resolution can be made in the courts.

As a parent at Stevens Creek School, I know first-hand that this court case is still looming over our students. It is with this in mind that I implore Williams to please consider the ramifications on our children of any decision he makes regarding this case.

We all like to think that we can protect our children from the ugliness of a legal battle, but the truth is they are fully aware of the struggle. They are torn between their parents' opinions, their feelings for a beloved principal and the loyalty they feel to a fifth-grade teacher.

I, and many parents at the school, respect Williams' right to stand up and be heard, but I do not agree with our children being the casualties of this battle. Regardless of intent, they are the victims in this mess.

With classroom assignments looming for the next school year, we are now in the awful position of deciding whether we want our children to have a front-row seat in this struggle. I urge Williams to find some sort of compromise with the school district.He needs to make his decision based on what is right for the children he teaches, not on what may be the best legal strategy.

Linda Orvick

Stevens Creek School parent

In the Courier's March 30 story "Heart's Flame," glass artist Kathleen Elliot's step children's ages should have been listed as 12 and 15, and they attend Cupertino Middle School and Fremont High School.