To the editor:

Who knows a child’s needs better than a parent? The Lawrence school board must think it does. The decisions board members have been making in recent years have not been for the children, parents, future employers or the taxpayers who pay the bills. School officials appear to be self-serving, not child-serving.

The current ideas, bond issue and intradistrict transfer policy show how out of touch the board is with its constituents. Has the board looked into the cost of restoration and renovation of old historic buildings? Has it looked into ways to draw home-schooled kids back to the district? How to have a mini-magnet school that offers a different curriculum to attract growth in enrollment? How to use low-enrollment schools to split ages, kindergarten through third grades and fourth through sixth grades? Have they even listened to the parents’ concerns?

I have seen all of the above work in other cities. By giving parents more options and choices, you create a receptive community and satisfied “customers” as parents and employers. In stark contrast, the administration and board appear to have chosen to adopt plans for new buildings and intradistrict transfer policies that restrict parents from any choice, without any attention being given to the waste, environment or needs of the students.

We need a board that is responsive and responsible to those who elected them. It’s time to listen to the parents. And remember, father and mother know best.

Linda Weinmaster,

Lawrence