As a former newspaper reporter, I read with deep concern Beachcomber editor Anneli Fogt’s one-sided article in the Feb. 8 issue regarding the legal dispute between the Vashon School District and Vashon Natural Medicine director Kelly Wright (“High school principal’s lawyer claims Wright suit is retaliation,” Feb. 8).

Given the story’s sensitive nature and potential for damage, the writer was journalistically obligated to, at the very least, offer Wright an opportunity for rebuttal — no matter how pressing a deadline. And no, not just Wright’s lawyer, who declined to comment, but Wright herself.

Nowhere did I read “Wright declined to comment,” or “Wright did not return a message left by the Beachcomber.” Such an omission was sloppy and unprofessional.

— Rial Cummings