Upper St. Clair Kills IB Program

I am sad to say that the Upper St. Clair (USC) School Board has officially killed the International Baccalaureate program in a 5-4 vote. According to the Post Gazette:

Dr. Iracki and other newly elected members of the board expressed opposition to the program on the grounds that it is Marxist, anti-Christian, un-American and too costly.

As a native of USC and an older brother to a student that was participating in the program, I would like to go on the record stating that the decision is an embarrassment to the community and a step backwards for education in the region. I mean seriously, does the rationale of the school board sound like a load of "you-know-what" to anyone else? Marxist? Anti-Christian? un-American? Does this reek of McCarthyism to anyone else?

It amazes me that the esteemed members of the school board have elected to take away a key program that affords their most gifted students an edge in an increasingly competitive college application landscape. It only costs $80K/year. You are telling me the USC cannot afford that? Please.

For those of you that are interested in the issue, there is an interesting conversation on Madison's blog on the topic. I would love to hear your thoughts on the issue as well. Sheesh.