To the editor:

Why is it that every chance she gets Mary Loveland seems intent on closing Riverside School? Supposedly elementary enrollment in Lawrence is eroding each year. It has been stated many times that excess capacity exists at numerous Lawrence elementary schools. If that is true why was Langston Hughes built? Or are the students on that side of town more deserving?

I would also like to know exactly what is included in the model for a perfect elementary school size that Loveland regularly refers to. Why is 600 a magic number and what is that magic number based on? The only variables ever mentioned are cost savings and efficiency. I guess the optimal student-learning environment isn’t important.

The idea that the school board would temporarily shut down or mothball an elementary school for a year is insulting. Anyone who believes that this would be a temporary solution is kidding themselves. Once the doors are closed the board will find a way to keep them closed.

Additionally the insinuation that the cost of repairing Riverside from the recent truck -versus-school would come from the school district budget is ridiculous, too! The driver who was impaired and drove his truck at a high rate of speed into the school should bear the responsibility for the damages he caused. Again it looks like some, especially Loveland, would be happy to close Riverside and have the children there bear a disproportional cost of saving a few bucks.

Ann Holmes,

Lawrence