Karen: Forgive me, but we are still too close to the election for me to abandon the points I hammered on during my campaign--and, admittedly, failed to be elected on. But my sticks are still in the fire and re this money and class-size debate, I really urge you and others to consider: Reduced class size is a tool that we as taxpayers gave and keep giving Minneapolis teachers. It is recognition that any amount of individualized instruction is a boost to both the gifted and the struggling student and that even our best teachers can do more for each child if there are fewer children to do for. It also is how we city people recognize that the diversity of ability, language, etc. in our schools, which has kept most of us in the city so our kids can experience a range of peers, requires that we give teachers that extra tool to be able to serve the range of needs in every classroom. They are the front line--don't suggest that we take away this tool and ask them to keep building better products. Now, if you are disgruntled, as many of us are, with the bottom-line results, that is a question of administration and Board accountability. It is legitimate to question and scrutinize how referendum dollars and other district appropriations are being spent. And that .... is where this discussion should be headed before we consider trashing the idea of reduced class size.
Kathy Kosnoff [EMAIL PROTECTED] _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
