The reason is that the school board tells us each and every school in Lawrence must be the same, all cut from the same cookie cutter baseline. But baseline is just a fancy name for a wish list. The consultants asked USD 497 staff to list everything they wished for in an ideal school, and then developed this baseline document. Of course it will be expensive. And most amazing of all is that this baseline is mostly about facilities: separate gym and cafeteria, separate offices for a counselor and a social worker and a psychologist, and two classrooms for each grade. If facilities alone made for a good education few of us who are over 45 would be educated.

Supposedly, $14 million is going to be saved by closing three schools. This is not because it cost that much to operate those schools, but because it would cost that much to upgrade those schools to fit into the new baseline. So itâÂÂs not a savings of money we are now spending to operate those schools.

One-size-fits-all educational philosophy seems flawed. Educational research shows that small schools can offer a better education for many children, for the personal attention, smaller and easier environment to handle suits some students.

I encourage the board to think outside the baseline box.

Pat Kehde,

Lawrence