To the editor:

Wednesday’s story on USD 497 budget problems tells us the school board seeks input from the public on budget cuts. It seems to me they got plenty of input already and ignored it. If a petition with over 1,400 signatures collected in five days isn’t input, what is? I guess we’re to be allowed to comment on things like the $20,000 savings to “end communication with KU.” That’s a very large bill for being allowed to dial 864 numbers.

What’s not on the list is more interesting. There’s no suggestion to sell the administrative palace, which was bought with previous bond money “for kids” without the voters’ permission.

I was dumbfounded by the opening comments of board member Austin Turney at the recent board meeting. In order to rationalize away the anti-bond vote, he suggested it had come from older people and students with no interest in supporting K-12 education. How could he sit at meeting after meeting with a parade of parents, including PTA leaders, condemning the school closings and the bond planning and make this statement? What is the use of public input when most board members appear not to care? I have some input for Mr. Turney: If you’re not willing to listen, why don’t you resign?

Adrian Melott,

Lawrence