Letter: Self-absorbed society turns its back on schools

Friday, March 7, 2003 | 9:32 a.m.

I have just returned home from the first town meeting held by the Clark County School District to discuss budget cuts. As an employee of the school district, I had heard how extensive the budget cuts might have to be, but I don't think the general public understands. This is not a bluff to get more taxes. The school district is seriously going to cut many programs.

My 10-year-old daughter went with me to the meeting. Although I had told her my job might be eliminated next year, it didn't sink in until she listened to all the teachers, parents and students defending their programs such as music, gifted and talented education, art, counseling, library and sports. Afterward she asked me if it meant she wouldn't have those programs next year. When I told her, yes, it did, she said, "I have $2, would that help?"

I am reading David McCullough's Pulitzer Prize winning biography, John Adams. Adams was one of the fathers of our country and the designer of our government. In 1776 he wrote: "Laws for the liberal education of youth, especially for the lower classes of people, are so extremely wise and useful that to a humane and generous mind, no expense for this purpose would be thought extravagant."

I am glad to know that my sweet daughter has a humane and generous mind, regardless of the indifferent and self-absorbed society she has been brought up in.

KATHERINE BUTLER