To the editor:

I am angry that the school board voted to close two elementary schools after the highly controversial bond issue was soundly defeated and two high-profile proponents of closures were voted out of office.

I voted against the bond issue primarily because of the proposed school closures, which would be facilitated by its funding, as I’m sure many people did. My family has nothing to lose by the closures of Centennial and East Heights schools. In fact, we had much to gain from this otherwise fatally flawed bond, with proposed rebuilding of South Junior High and renovation of Lawrence High School. But my objection to closing schools in central Lawrence overrode personal benefits.

Many voices have spoken on the following reasons for not closing these elementary schools: (1) Neighborhoods built up around them will be harmed. (2) Many “at-risk” children attend and may suffer from the loss of their neighborhood schools. (3) It represents poor planning. How can cramming more physical structure and more people into the postage-stamp-sized Cordley environment be wise? (4) The huge predicted savings from these closures are highly questioned. (5) The closings represent long-term losses for short-term gains for the Lawrence community.

Elected officials faced with large opposition are obligated to resolve issues democratically. This school board has a moral responsibility to listen to the voters of this district. Let us vote on closures alone. And let the next school board seek more creative, harmonious and fair solutions.

Sharon Dewey,

Lawrence