MONTPELIER – State education officials are encouraging schools to tune into President Obama's speech next week to students, despite concerns from some conservatives that the session amounts to "political indoctrination."

Armando Vilaseca, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Education, sent a letter to all public school districts in the state Friday encouraging them to watch Obama's speech on Tuesday and participate in discussions about what he says.

Vilaseca, who was hired by the Republican administration of Gov. James Douglas this year, said there isn't anything nefarious in Obama's speech, which he said will be an inspiring message about working hard and staying in school.

"I've read highlights of the speech," Vilaseca said Friday. "There is nothing in there that any reasonable person would find fault with."

Speeches by U.S. presidents to schoolchildren are commonplace. Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush both gave inspirational talks to public school students when they were in the White House.

But Obama's speech, scheduled for Tuesday at noontime and aired on the White House Web site and C-SPAN, has encountered a storm of conservative criticism. The controversy has focused mostly on an optional lesson plan offered to teachers that asks students to reflect on Obama's speech.

FOX News commentator Michelle Malkin called the speech "propaganda" to create "junior lobbyists." Jim Greer, the chairman of the Florida Republican Party, said Obama was using taxpayer money to "indoctrinate" children.

"As the father of four children, I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama's socialist ideology," Greer said in a statement this week.

The Vermont Republican Party has not taken such a strong position on the speech.

Chairman Rob Roper said Friday that he thought the lesson plans that came with the speech were "creepy," but said he was pleased that some language was removed. If students are given the option of tuning out, he said he has no problem with the president addressing public school students.

"I think it can be really inspirational for students to hear directly from the president," Roper said. "I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt that this speech will be nonpartisan and focus on encouraging kids to work hard and stay in school."

Members of the Vermont Democratic Party agreed.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for children to hear directly from the president," said Robert Dempsey, executive director of the state party. "I think it will be a special day for students."

Vermont school districts are leaving the decision whether to watch the speech or not up to teachers. Most schools are also allowing students who feel uncomfortable watching the speech to opt out and spend an hour in the library or cafeteria.

"We're leaving it up to the teachers to decide," said Robert Kern, superintendent of the North Country Supervisory Union in Newport. "I imagine that some classes will show it while others will opt to just stick with their normal schedule."

Kern said his office has received a handful of calls from concerned parents, he added, but the controversy usually dies down when he tells them that students can opt out of watching the speech if they want.

"I think it is great that the president is taking the time to talk to children about the value of education," he said. "If a student doesn't want to watch, they are free not to be in the classroom at the time and instead go to the library to do research."

Brattleboro Union High School Principal James Day said he received a "very angry" phone call from a local conservative Friday morning about the upcoming speech. The man, who didn't identify himself, calmed down when Day explained that students would not be forced to watch the speech.

Day said he sent a memo to school staff saying it was up to them whether to show the speech or not. Students who don't want to watch the speech can leave the room and study in the cafeteria, he said.

"I would have done the same thing if our president was a conservative Republican," Day said.

daniel.barlow@rutlandherald.com