Board’s off-the-wall plan for college visits

Recently the U-46 school board passed a budget item which is so off-the-wall that I had to comment. As a 55-year resident of U-46 with five children and five grandchildren who attended school here, I have a lot of experience with bad decisions, but this tops them all.

This item was almost $200,000 dedicated to 100 students to visit out-of-state colleges. But it is for only Black and Hispanic students. How much hypocrisy is too much?

To make it worse, the students were all sophomore and juniors, and no test or grade scores were needed. In addition, it doesn’t appear any family income status was an issue.

How many students at that grade level know what college and more importantly what college courses they want to pursue?

I want all children to have a shot at higher education, but it must be a level-headed approach. This isn’t. Enough with DEI.

Richard Francke

Bartlett