To the editor:

The Lawrence Board of Education recently made two critical decisions. March 9, a motion passed that the district “would not close any school but would direct the administration to propose a community task force … .” April 26, a proposal moving ninth grade to the two high schools and sixth grade to the four “middle” schools was approved.

The latter of these decisions could negate the former. The relocation of 800 sixth-grade students to middle schools will result in two elementary schools with less than 200 students; six will be below 300. Based upon a member’s statement, “the magic enrollment number for Lawrence elementary schools is 300,” several schools could face closure.

It is time for the board and administration to provide the public with their ultimate end goals.

Board members have expressed interest in building a third high school. They have discussed the consolidation of elementary schools. Are these goals? There are enough students (5,200) to support 15 elementary schools. Will boundary changes be considered? Is there a new “magic enrollment number” for elementary schools? Have the task force’s conclusions been predetermined before inception?

The board and administration have come under scrutiny, much of it deserved. Their actions have created concern in the community that there are hidden agendas. The board and administration should resolve this concern by providing the public with short- and long-term goals. If there are no pre-eminent agendas then it is beyond time for them to be developed.