I am perplexed by the discussion regarding school closings - the need thereof -which ones and -  how did we get to this place. 
Let me just say as a point of reference, I have lived in my present house for 35 years and have had two kids go through the Minneapolis Public School system. All I know for sure  because of those experiences is that school closings are truly traumatic events.  When our daughter was in the third grade and attending Fuller School, 48th and Grand, the School Board made the decision to close that facility, tear it down, and move the kids to Hale-Field.& nbsp; Well, our daughter who had loved school up until then turned off school completely and it was a struggle to keep her even attending.  She did graduate from Washburn, but education ceased to be a meaningful part of her life when Fuller School, a building  she felt had a soul, was torn down.  To each personal hurt, there is also the hurt done to the community that has that school as a focal point.  Therefore, I urge the School Board to really think long and hard about school closings and demolition. Having said that, I know there is a budget problem.  And I only offer one solution.  That is, for heavens sake, can't anyone figure out how to cut something out of the transportation budget?  I am so sick and tired of dodging yellow school buses every morning and mid-afternoon.  Do we really need to bus so many kids?  Is school choice really worth all that movement of bodies?  I sometimes wonder how many kids really want the choices their parents make for them.  That transportation budget is huge - just think of how many teachers could be hired with the money that goes into busing.& nbsp; And believe me I would rather have the teachers than buses. Call me old fashioned, but shouldn't each school be teaching a core curriculum so it shouldn't matter which school the child attends?  Have we invented "boutique" schools that develop a following that may not be necessary?  I know I am sounding cranky, but this whole cycle of closings schools, building new schools and then talk of closing more schools is making me a little cranky.  Pretty soon someone will propose abolishing the Public School System and letting the charters take over.  I believe strongly in public education, and I would hate to see something like that happen.  Jan Del Calzo Lynnhurst REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
