“Absolutely. They will mature faster, I think, and enjoy the benefits of being in high school.”

— Jean Ann Stoneking, food service worker, Lawrence

“Yes, because when the kids reach the ninth-grade level, they need to be in that other environment with the older kids.”

— Ione Unruh, costume designer, Lawrence

“Yes, I believe that ninth-graders should be at the high school. I’ve lived in many towns with middle schools and they seem very ready to be at that next level.”

— Bob Garrett, baker, Lawrence

“Yes they should; my wife is a junior high educator and she thinks ninth-graders are ready for high school and sixth-graders are ready for middle school.”

— Gregg Anderson, hardware sales, Lawrence