To the editor:

I would like to comment on two separate points about the front-page article in the Journal-World on Sunday, Jan. 18, “Schools plan would harm city.” There is a comparison of USD 497 with surrounding schools — Tonganoxie, Baldwin, Perry-Lecompton and Eudora — over the budget increase per student. So, it is OK to compare some things with surrounding schools but not others, such as salaries?

Further into the article it specifically talks about special education and special-needs students and the new state funding formula and how USD 497 would come up short. Instead of basing spending on the number of teachers and aides, it would be based on student enrollment. This clearly indicates that 497 is overspending in the special ed department. I agree. Let’s even out a little of the per-pupil spending in our own district!

Ginger Heere,

Lawrence