Editor: With research I have found that the accusations made by Anne in the letter to the editor, "New low for Jefferson," on Wednesday are misleading and inaccurate.
The Jefferson School District board voted 4-1, with Dan Wells dissenting, to allocate $100,000 to each school site. This vote was the result of the board being presented with a well-researched wish list of items that are being requested by the district's highly qualified faculty and staff. Not a single teacher or administrator wished for a pony or any other frivolous item. In fact, as a logical person would assume, everything wished for was educationally relevant and beneficial. Priorities included a dyslexia intervention program, math tutoring for at-risk students, library books, a mobile library cart, instructional aid time, playground equipment, bark for the sandboxes, computer equipment, sports uniforms, band instruments and science equipment. Because the priorities identified on the wish list were in line with the priorities and goals of the trustees, that money was made available. Included was a requirement that the final priority list come back before the board at their Oct. 12 meeting. Four reasonable trustees supported the motion.
I am proud to be an alumna of Jefferson School District. The word irresponsible just doesn't fit with the district. Excellence isn't achieved by accident. It exists because committed trustees, administrators, teachers, staff members, parents and students work together toward common goals in a positive environment. It is too bad that one trustee and his wife are missing this important message.
Sarah Wingo, Tracy