The Mesa County Valley School District 51 Board of Education is facing many questions as it contemplates a response to the discovery that Superintendent Ken Haptonstall’s administrative reorganization will cost substantially more than he indicated.

But the biggest question is whether Haptonstall can be an effective leader in the wake of the controversy. In our view, the answer is a clear “no.” Haptonstall has lost the confidence of taxpayers and, most likely, respect within the ranks of those he’s supposed to lead.

The board has indicated it wants to authorize an independent investigation of how the mistake (or oversight or whatever it was) occurred. While that’s an important step in terms of guiding the board on a proper legal response, whatever specific details the investigation uncovers should have little bearing on the action the board should take.

Read more at The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel.