Art, language before pre-K, college prep

District 300 paid out $34,579 to various schools so teachers can advance their degrees. They will reap the benefits for years to come by making more money and getting a bigger pension. The taxpayers should not have to pay for their degree.

“Free preschool for all” actually costs the district $982,000, for busing and other expenses. There are only a certain number of spots available; not every child gets to go to preschool for free. It is neither free nor for all.

I called four school districts to see how much art class costs their school district. These were their responses: $50,000 per teacher. Elgin U-46 pays $1.75 per student for supplies; Palatine District 15, $5; Schaumburg District 54, $2.60; and Burlington District 301, $1.50.

District 300 has 7,467 students enrolled in first through fifth grade. Even if we had to have a teacher in all 17 elementary schools the high end cost would be $890,335.

Our school district has always had the ability to provide art for our students but chose not to. It surprises me District 300 decided busing for a preschool program for a select few for two years was a better option than providing an art or foreign language program for 5 years for over 7,000 kids.

My point is if school districts cannot provide the Illinois state standards for first through 12th grade, they should not be able to provide programs for preschool and college. Every student cannot go to preschool and every student may not go to college.

Sharon Fetting

Algonquin