To the editor:

Our children are our greatest natural resource. They are the keepers of our traditions and the architects of our future. Let’s educate them properly, responsibly, and with care. This letter is in support of voting YES for schools.

With full knowledge of a 2.7 percent increase in the cost of living, the Kansas Legislature gave us HALF that much to:

l perform annual salary negotiations with current teachers,

l attract good new teachers,

l continue salaries for mental health (WRAP) workers,

l pay higher fees for referees,

l pay higher costs for office supplies,

l pay bigger bills for services.

Where does the other half come from? If we wish to give teachers an honest raise, which services or supplies or utilities should we cut? Would you like to cut sports? Band and orchestra? Mental health? Shall we drop some teachers and increase class sizes? Stop buying supplies?

At this point, the best (and only) remaining way to fill in the gap is to take advantage of an opportunity to increase the “local option budget” by 1 percent, and that demands that an election be held. If you own a $200,000 home, can you afford an extra monthly $1.15 to educate your community’s children?

Vote YES for Lawrence’s children. Vote YES for their teachers. Vote YES because it is the right thing to do.

Nora Murphy,

Lawrence,

for Central Junior High School Parents Group, New York School PTO and Site Council, and Schwegler School PTA