The board members at Southwestern Oregon Community College made a wise decision not to release a preliminary report on the college’s operations and management.

Understandably, teachers and other employees are anxious for news from Oregon School Boards Association investigators. The pressure on board members this week must have been intense, as those 60-plus college employees demanded the incomplete report.

The board should not tell all — at least not yet.

Compliments to board Chairman Lonny Anderson. It’s clear he was careful to consider the college’s best interests when he insisted on having investigators complete all interviews and then gather the documents to support or substantiate commentary from all sides.

 In our view, public agencies always should conduct the public’s business as openly as they can. But divulging the preliminary findings of an incomplete investigation would be unwise and unfair.

No one plunks down money for a house without having done due diligence. No jury returns a verdict after hearing partial testimony and seeing only a fraction of the evidence.

 Some at the college have complained that embattled President Judith Hansen and the board are reneging on a promise of transparency. Those people should take a step back. Yes, fairness and accountability will require the report to be divulged — in due course. But turning the investigation into a public inquisition would be a mistake.

Hansen has a right to privacy as the investigation progresses. Her job at the college and perhaps her career are at stake. Continual public airing of unsubstantiated allegations could damage her reputation and create liability for the college. It also would fuel further acrimony and distraction on campus.

Some faculty members seem determined to use this inquiry to wound and weaken Hansen. The board can’t afford to let that happen. Whether OSBA’s report winds up affirming Hansen’s leadership or finding fault with it, no one will benefit from disrupting her effectiveness in the meantime.

It’s also important to remember that college board members didn’t seek the  extra four weeks for OSBA’s staff to finish its work. OSBA did.

Southwestern’s board has an obligation to proceed with order and dignity.  The OSBA has a duty to weed through the innuendo and release a report detailing the facts, with supporting documentation.

The people standing on the sidelines should let this investigation happen without interference.