To the editor:

As a parent of three children in the Lawrence public schools, I have the advantage of seeing first-hand the needs facing the district during the current budget crisis. I was also fortunate to be able to attend several of the study sessions conducted by the DLR group throughout the many months of research and development that ultimately determined the bond issue as written.

While the bond issue debate continues, there are some important facts that need to be reiterated. For one thing, those opposed to the bond issue have not produced a viable concrete alternative that would address the needs that the Lawrence school district is facing. Sure, it is easy to be against something. The true test becomes providing an alternative that is well-thought out, researched, and encompasses all areas that need to be addressed. Wouldn’t it be a shame to have the bond issue voted down now because of some fantasy solution, only to find out in another two or three years that the current bond issue was the best solution?

Secondly, the current school board members have spent untold hours analyzing the difficult situation that our district is in. We are so fortunate to have a superintendent and dedicated school board willing to tackle these tough issues. Don’t you think that if there was a better, less costly solution, that they would be supporting it instead?

The endorsement of our teacher’s association should speak volumes. These are the men and women that we trust to provide the best education in the best environment possible for our children. Don’t they deserve the respect of our support by voting “yes” for the bond issue? It shouldn’t be a matter of “can we afford to” but rather “can we afford not to” support the bond issue.

Jackie Ferguson,

Lawrence