To the editor:

When we moved to Lawrence more than 40 years ago, we chose a home within easy walking distance for our three children to Hillcrest, a well-regarded elementary school, and to KU for me. Hillcrest has changed since then and now serves a remarkably diverse population. This is both a challenge and a strength. It is still highly regarded. About three years ago our next-door neighbor, new to Lawrence, chose to make her home here for the same reason we had.

Although our children are long-since grown and I long retired, we continue to live here because we find ours to be a very vibrant area, with a good mix of KU students, young families, and retirees. Deprived of its school, the character of our neighborhood will change, and not for the better. Families with small children, the lifeblood of any neighborhood, will no longer seek homes in the Hillcrest community. Further, if our city wants to attract retirees to live in Lawrence as a boost to the local economy, it should do everything it can to maintain the vitality of all its neighborhoods. Independent-living retirees like ourselves prefer those that include a lively new generation.

Closing schools is not a good solution to the budget crisis. The crisis will pass, but school closure is permanent. In the long run it is likely to be very costly both in terms of dollars spent and in a lessened quality of life. Hillcrest school is providing outstanding community service now. It should and must be saved!