Our children are the most precious commodities in most of our lives. It is extremely important that they are taught by good teachers and learn by good examples that we, as adults, set.

Yet, there is a serious problem with the Osceola County School Board. And it should be fixed. Immediately.

For the past several months, there has been no love lost between recently appointed chairwoman Cindy Hartig and member Jay Wheeler. We can understand the occasional differences of opinion and even a periodic outright clash. It happens. People usually learn from it and go on.

But harbored ill feelings among members of a governing body should not be made so obvious during meetings. Those feelings especially should not be broadcast more in e-mail blasts for a thousand more to see.

Wheeler’s latest antics and his Jan. 8 e-mail blast on Hartig have reached embarrassing proportions. He called Hartig “crazy” on a TV news station broadcast last year and with his latest e-mail blast has called her “mentally ill,” which he has brought up before in the same “School Board updates,” and now he suggests a psychiatrist be consulted to make that determination.

He also calls all other board members “foolish and/or weak” to be led by Hartig and “if any of them think Cindy is good for the School District, then they have seriously impaired judgment.”

With that in mind, Wheeler should consider us impaired. Hartig was, yes, quite heavy-handed during the board’s Jan. 4 meeting where she pointed out flaws – possibly serious – in the current system regarding inspections, money wastes and child safety. Well, we find it quite refreshing that someone is concerned that much about our children and us taxpayers. What concerns us more than anything regarding the board is Wheeler’s refusal to refrain from malicious and mean-spirited comments in reference to Hartig. This newspaper even has a copy of a document signed by all board members regarding this behavior – a promise not to engage in it.

Wheeler also is not setting any good examples for anyone when he abruptly leaves meetings when he does not get his way, as he again did at the Jan. 4 meeting.

We believe it’s clear there is a problem with the School Board. And it’s not Hartig.