To the editor:

With the school district poised to make severe cuts to next year’s budget, now is the time to consider what programs are essential. Obviously, academics come first; however, beyond providing the basics, the district must decide how best to apportion its limited funds to create institutions of which it can be proud.

The exact responsibility of our schools becomes the crux of the board’s decision. The conservative approach suggests that assistant coaches, support staff and prevention specialists should be cut because they allegedly are not directly connected to the schools’ educational mission. However, it would be a dangerous gamble to view prevention as a dispensable function.

The death of Free State senior Aezra DuttonHurt apparently from substance abuse serves as a cautionary tale. Why should prevention be cut while Free State is still recovering from the tragedy? Though the wealthy could still afford quality rehabilitation facilities and professional psychologists if prevention were cut, the average family in the faltering economy could not. The school is the only place where many students will have access to relationship counseling and substance abuse panels. The program offers students a chance to discuss cultural differences openly, find ways to confront bullying, and voice concerns in a supportive atmosphere.

Though the student educators perform much of the onsite prevention, every great production has a director. The prevention specialist provides the organization, expertise and inspiration. Without these leaders, the curtain would fall on these important programs.