To the editor:

A recent Journal-World article, “City divided by school closures” is an understatement. The majority of Lawrence taxpayers are distrustful of a board that has rubber-stamped poor planning by the DLR Group and administration.

Buildings suffer from poor maintenance because of $4.5 million misspent, out of operating funds, for the administration building at 110 McDonald Drive. An irresponsible bond issue and three ill-advised school closings have added to taxpayer dissatisfaction with board members and administration.

Citizens made numerous suggestions for improving the failed bond issue, all of which were ignored by the administration and school board. Voters then soundly rejected both the bond and two board members.

The bond was defeated because it was originally tied to closing East Heights and Centennial schools, necessitating expensive additions to New York and Cordley schools. School administrators want to use the Centennial site for LHS athletic equipment storage and additional LHS practice fields. Close a multimillion-dollar school, gain a playground.

Finally, Centennial neighborhood does not want Cordley for its school because 100-year-old Cordley has asbestos and lead paint problems, is dangerously located and has a minuscule playground. Also, retaining East Heights is a far better solution than an expensive New York addition. The administration and school board cannot satisfactorily explain why taxpayers should spend millions for less than we now have.

Cordley, however, is a perfect location for a school board and administration building.

Bob Blank,

Lawrence