Cuts in special ed in U-46 a bad idea

U-46 School Superintendent Jose Torres is trying to make us believe that reducing the number of special education teachers and teacher's assistants to the "standards" (i.e., minimum) required by the state is a good thing by calling it "right-sizing."

Actually, there is nothing right about giving the children with learning problems less service. They deserve all the help humanly possible. If we cannot afford to give them at least as much help as they have been receiving this school year, the reductions are saving money at the expense of the children. Our previous superintendent made that mistake in 2003 when she released 600 teachers for budgetary reasons. Achievement scores nearly tanked and it took the dedication of the remaining teachers years to bring the quality of education back up to a respectable level.

Dr. Torres was not here at the time all of that happened, but he should have heard enough about it to avoid repeating that mistake.

There must be ways to cut expenses in this huge school district that would pay for more instructors. Last summer, when many of the district's schools and a few pools that were unused at the time of year were closed to save on maintenance.

I think there is still time to look at the district's expenses all the way from the amounts that the top administrators earn to how often lawns are mowed. Any excesses eliminated could be better used to help provide teachers and teachers' assistants.

Donald B. Abbs

Elgin