REFORM: The numbers don't lie

The assault on our children continues. Superintendent Luna's proposal to increase class size, replace teachers with computers and remove due process protections from teachers will have disastrous effects on education in Idaho. Computers and larger class sizes are not what our children need. His attack on teachers will result in no intelligent person ever seeking a teaching position in Idaho.

The superintendent created this plan with no input from stakeholders. He did not seek input from administrators, school boards, teachers or parents. This plan was sprung on the Idaho public, and rushed to committee amid threats that, if it were not passed, we would see even greater cuts to education. If this weren't bad enough, a new proposal would cut kindergarten funding by two-thirds. If this passes, the only children able to attend kindergarten would be at-risk children and those fortunate enough to have parents able to afford private schools. This proposal is made in spite of the fact that all the available data equates early education with student success.

Idaho ranks 49th in education spending. We rank 46th in college enrollments. Could there be a correlation?

A recent poll reported that 75 percent of Idaho citizens believe that budget cuts have damaged the quality of their children's education. Fifty-three percent of citizens favor increasing taxes to support education. I would urge all parents, grandparents and citizens in Idaho to contact their legislative members. It is time for all of us to support our children.

MICHELLE LIPPERT

Post Falls