Patton letter: Education

The “amens” you all heard on the morning of Feb. 21 were coming from our house. We had just read Jeanne Cridebring’s eloquent and accurate Guest Opinion piece on Idaho education. We, too, are retirees with considerable education experience from another state that requires a significantly higher number of mandatory school days per year than Idaho. We, too, have been appalled by our consistent and continual observations of Idaho school-aged children being anywhere but school — midweek, non-holidays, non-vacations. We, too, shake our heads in wonder at the many TV ads and local billboards that urge all Idahoans to support improved education of our youth. It is very, very simple, folks. Kids can’t get a quality education if they aren’t in school.

And here’s a suggestion for the trustees of the West Ada School District — don’t ask the taxpayers to pony up funds for additional schools until you have fully utilized the existing facilities. If year-round school sessions aren’t an option for you, then quit fighting with each other, do your job and find a solution that doesn’t involve our taxes.

This story was originally published March 11, 2016 at 11:09 PM with the headline "Patton letter: Education."