An open letter condemning the strained relationship between school officials and the public has caught the attention of parents and county leaders because of its author’s perspective as a former school system insider. Joshua Kaufman, member and chairman of the Howard County Board of Education from 2003 to 2006, wrote the letter to the current board and superintendent in response to what he called their “disturbing approach to governing” and their “completely unprecedented alienation” from the citizens of Howard County and “elected officials at the highest level of state office.” (File photo by Sherry DiBari, Baltimore Sun Media Group)