To the editor:

Now that the bond issue has failed, it is time to consider some other solutions to the building problems.

Instead of abandoning East Heights, why not make it a charter school with total emphasis on basic skills, i.e. reading, intensive systematic phonics and basic math operations? This decision would be the most wonderful thing that the school board could do for disadvantaged students.

The primary grades should make every effort to ensure that every capable student is literate and competent in arithmetic before proceeding to fourth grade. This charter school could be an ungraded primary school, with lots of individual attention to those who need it most. This is doable!

This school should have open enrollment. I think the superintendent and Board of Education would be amazed at how many parents want this type of school for their children. Let us not waste any space we have available. We do not need optimal buildings. We just need clean, safe buildings, where children can get an optimal basic education!

Patricia Burgstahler,

Lawrence