To the editor:

Attending an informational meeting, I learned the Lawrence school board has given a lot of thought to issues facing our district. Buildings constructed during Baby Boom years don’t meet requirements of today’s educational standards. South Junior High School, a trendy design for the ’60s, was not well built for the future. Renovation is less expensive but leaves some of the same problems. Busing kids from one school to save another neighborhood’s school isn’t working.

Low interest rates allow money to be spent on improvements, not interest payments. Money that pays for repairs and energy inefficiencies could be better used for staff and programs.

One-section schools cannot offer children the best education. Limited staff, combination classes, and fewer resources are realities. We already ask a lot of our teachers. Should they be nurses, counselors, and librarians, too? Two-section schools, limited in size, would better utilize resources and provide individualized attention and give students their best chance to succeed.

People complain our Legislature will not adequately fund education. Why criticize if we’re not willing to spend more on adequate facilities that help the educational process?

This bond issue cannot address every need; the list is too long. Our board has prioritized the needs of the entire district to prepare for what lies ahead. It’s a lot of money, but needs will not go away, and costs won’t be less in the future. When is a better time?

Paula Mather

Lawrence