To the editor:

Scott Morgan has earned a grade of F for his term on the school board. It would seem we’ve not improved our situation with Rich Minder, the new board president: (“School board to consider raising taxes,” Journal-World, July 4).

This board has learned nothing from the school budget cuts for 2010-2011. Its members blindly assume Lawrence residents can afford to support their questionable plans. Look at how they have frivolously spent money in the past years — not only on athletic fields, but on teachers’ salaries. Has everyone forgotten that many of these teachers appear in classrooms MAYBE eight months a year for MAYBE eight hours a day? And that our universities consistently decry the pathetic lack of education most of our children receive?

Today’s kids are attuned electronically, not taught to read, write, spell, cipher or THINK. They watch DVDs instead of reading books, essays are not assigned, and kids learn how to take and pass tests so the state’s standing will rise. Commendable. NOT!

Lesson to be learned: Work within your budget. Many residents simply cannot afford any more tax increases. Many of us are trying to live on a woeful KPERS pension which hasn’t increased in over 10 years and no Social Security increase for 2010. Next option: Move out of the state of Kansas.