To the editor:
Although I agree with the opinions expressed by the Kansas University professors in the Jan. 6 J-W article that the future growth of Lawrence needs to be closely scrutinized and that city officials should proceed with caution, I am disheartened with Professor Yetman's theory regarding the current and future socioeconomic imbalance of the local high schools.
Professor Yetman, the boundaries for the high schools split the town into north and south not east and west. The last time I drove through Lawrence, 15th Street did not end at Iowa and as I recall a portion of Alvamar still resides south of 15th Street. Habitat for Humanity homes are currently located north and south of 15th Street and I am certain will continue to be built in both areas.
The "handwriting" is not on the wall indicating that LHS and FSHS are currently or will be socioeconomically out of balance. As an LHS parent before and after the split, I find it amazing that these types of comments continue to be thrown around carelessly. Attend a local intracity sporting event and witness firsthand the seed this type of comment has planted in the students, as FSHS students flash "white trash bags" at LHS basketball players while shooting free throws or flash signs stating "It's all about the green $$."
While all in fun, the underlying theory has been and continues to be nurtured by unjustified comments such as Professor Yetman's. Although LHS may not have the larger number of high-income families in its student body that FSHS has, it has less low-income families. The majority of students at LHS are from middle- to upper-middle-income families. It is my opinion that the city of Lawrence made the correct choice in selecting its boundaries for a socioeconomic balance in the high schools. Perhaps someday we can get past thinking east and west and look north and south!
Lori Myers,
Lawrence
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