School district's priorities are flawed

LPOSD considering operational cutbacks. Cutbacks will negatively impact essential basic education. Non-essential extracurricular activities continue. Exactally what should be cut. Current supplemental levy specifically funds extra urricular activities, doesn’t allow funding transfers. Something wrong here!!

Voters should never again approve levy specifically funding extracurricular non-essential activities. Get priorities straight. Fund basic education preparing kids to earn a living be it academic or trade route.

Being football, basketball, volleyball player irrelevant to future success. Three Rs, sciences, math, computer skills, history, civics, etc. or auto mechanics, electrical, plumbing trade skills unquestionably are. Extra-curricular activities nice, not essential. In hard times they should go. Even in good times they should fund themselves and/or be on a pay to play basis, not funded by public taxes. Extra-curricular not public obligation, not required by state curriculum.

Argument made that extra curricular teach teamwork, develop self worth. Maybe, but all do not participate, receiving this possible benefit. Far better proven experience developing teamwork, self reliance, maturity, self worth is Armed Forces. Even paid, quite well while developing qualities, with no expenses. Opportunity for further academic education and/or trade skill development and access to substantial future benefits via GI Bill for home mortages, future civilian education.

Recession over? Maybe! Economists say indicators are pointing to economic improvement but recovery will be slow and fragile with danger of relapse.

Support future basic essential education but no more levies specifically funding non-essential,expensive extra curricular activities.

PHIL POUTRÉ

Cocolalla