Letters and comments for May 16, 2011

Support levy

To the Editor:

I am writing to ask for the community’s support for the La Grande School District operating levy.

Elementary, middle and high schools are foundational components of any healthy and vital community, particularly a community of our size. I often hear many comments about the reasons to not support a levy for the schools. These run the gambit from, “I don’t have children in the schools,’’ to “the schools are mismanaging the budget’’ or “I don’t agree with the curriculum being taught.’’

It is easy to criticize our schools when we perceive that they haven’t accomplished every task and goal just as we wish. However, the reality is that our school district administrators and employees must navigate an enormous body of state and federal laws, mandates (often times unfunded), regulations, labor law requirements, constitutional case law and bureaucracy that is generally completely out of the control or influence of a local school district.

In essence, the schools are regulated to death. It’s a near miracle that they have performed as well as they have with the budget limitations and other challenges they are faced with.

Add to this the enormous infrastructure and logistical costs and responsibilities of running an entire school district tasked with transporting, educating, feeding and temporarily sheltering 2,000 children.

I have had the pleasure of frequently interacting with Superintendent Larry Glaze, LHS Principal Boon Setser and several other members of the district management team and found them to be very hard working, highly competent and dedicated individuals who care deeply for the success of the children and families in our communities. I have complete faith and trust in the fact they are managing their budget and resources well, and if they tell me they need an option levy to accomplish their mission, then they have both my vote and support.

Brian Harvey

La Grande chief of police