To the editor:

A recently printed newspaper article that said it is only a 35-minute commute from Lecompton Elementary School to Perry-Lecompton High School and Perry-Lecompton Middle School is probably correct. But is that during the 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. rush hour?

And what about the kids who are already on the bus for 45 minutes or longer (students with Berryton addresses come to mind) before they get to Lecompton Elementary School?

I fully expect, with total bridge closure, that our district could lose up to 30 percent of its enrollment, as parents take their kids either to Shawnee Heights or Lawrence schools. USD 343 in turn would lose $1.2 million in lost enrollment alone! That doesn’t count money the district gets from transportation, meals and special-needs kids that also would transfer. We are talking some serious funds!

Don’t believe the Douglas County commissioners: If Lawrence public schools want the extra funding that each additional rear in the seats brings on Sept. 20, they’ll not only allow students to cross district boundaries, they’d be foolish not to encourage them to transfer!

Yes, the bridge does directly affect me: I work for the district and I live in Lecompton! I drive over that bridge two or more times every day. Douglas County is saving $750,000. Big Deal! It’ll cost USD 343 $1.2 million and potentially much more! That figure is for just the first year. The longer students stay out of the district, the more money will be lost.

Patrick Winchester,

Lecompton