To the editor:

Instead of closing our schools, let’s reinvest in them. Instead of consolidating schools in order to attain a “financial efficiency,” let’s retain our neighborhood schools as a commitment to educational efficiency. Investing in neighborhood schools shows a commitment to our children, our neighborhoods, our city. Instead of a city whose heart slowly stops beating after closing its central schools, I envision a renewed commitment to walkable, livable, affordable neighborhoods that support a vibrant downtown; neighborhoods that make Lawrence an attractive place for businesses and their employees. These neighborhoods are anchored by their schools.

Impossible with today’s budget crisis? For now, maybe so, but let’s keep our eyes on this prize until things get better. Let’s not close our schools now simply to build new in the near future.

I am a Cordley mom and our school has been ignored for a long time yet I, and many others I have talked to, don’t want a new, “efficient” mega-school on the edge of town. We’d like Cordley to be ADA-accessible, we’d like some improvements, we’d like the district to invest in our school. We stand ready for a sign of commitment from the school district. Cordley families will invest our time and money to help bridge the gap in resources. Then the city, school district and neighborhoods can work together, sending a message to Topeka that we value education and we will not give up and turn out the lights. This is what cities that show initiative and leadership do.

Sharon Ashworth,

Lawrence