To the editor:

The editorial titled “Patience,” published on Nov. 9 acknowledged that Kansas schools will be hurt by budget reductions, but “now is not the time to pursue it.” Just when would be a good time? After a year or two of K-2 kids having lost the window of learning that will boost them up toward success?

Education is NOT a business! We cannot reduce the number of widgets in our inventory or in any way cut holes in the educational momentum and casually pick up again later at a more convenient time. Education is a continuum and relies on uninterrupted, accumulated efforts over time to produce the desired result.

I remember during a previous governor’s administration when taxes were cut, much to the glowing pride of fiscal conservatives. I wondered at the time when the rainy day would come. I also wondered if these same legislators would run their family budgets the same way.

All the tax savings that got to stay in “our” pockets aren’t helping us now. Whatever small tax saving each of us got would have collectively made a powerful reserve the state could fall back on to avoid drastic cuts to education. It is alarming that even in better times, it took a lawsuit to remind lawmakers of their responsibilities.

As for the editorial, the image of anyone in education stomping and threatening is a show of disrespect to all the individuals, and districts alike, who persevere in the face of cultural influences, impossible legislation and lack of funding.