To the editor:

In order to meet budgetary concerns and continue to deliver quality education there has been proposed consolidation of some Lawrence elementary schools.

In a J-W article dated Oct. 27, Randy Weseman advocated support for the Lawrence Alternative High School. This discussed how the alternative high school helped keep numerous kids “from being a troubling statistic.” Students struggling to fit in at schools with larger enrollments were much better fitted to the school’s “intimate academic atmosphere.” Students were “stressed out” and nearly quit Lawrence High School because it was too big. They found the “familiar, insulated environment” was what they needed to succeed and hoped it would not get lost in the proposed new vision of their school. The principal noted “maintaining that balance would be the driving force in renovation planning.”

“We cannot grow this program so big that we can no longer be effective with the population that we’re here to serve,” he said.

So, why are our elementary age children any less deserving of these same considerations? A child’s educational experience begins at the primary level. I believe the alternative services provided should begin there also.

East Heights, Centennial and Cordley are all thriving and provide services to a diverse population on the central and east side. Lawrence is fortunate to have excellent, quality education delivered to our children by caring and involved teachers. But who says all schools need to be a two or three section school to deliver that education effectively? I implore the school board to support these fragile environments and explore other options besides closure.

Diane Price,

Lawrence