Letter: Back to basics in our schools

Friday, June 6, 2003 | 9:31 a.m.

This country is in such turmoil with deteriorating schools and money problems for programs and teachers that it's time we got back to the basics.

Many years ago with only one car per family everyone walked or rode bikes for miles to school. The school systems were financially solvent then. Now, money is spent heavily on buses, gasoline, drivers, bus maintenance, etc. With more kids owning cars, most busing can be eliminated. This is preferable to eliminating essential classes. And the schools are high priced, with swimming pools, tennis courts and an over-abundance of expensive acreage.

We don't have to resort to a short week or start school at 6 a.m. to get back on track. Let's exclude building the high-priced schools and build schools having more floors to allow for growth. Get rid of the amenities that are not essential to academic success.

CHARLES A. HAGEN

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