Open Forum

We are very disappointed that Cal Thomas has been dropped by the Dispatch. Opinion pages should be fair and balanced. Please reconsider.

John and Mary Jo Schmitt

Nisswa

Support all of education

The value of extra curricular activities has long been disputed. The difference of opinion usually exists between those who participate, or have participated, and those who have not. Debating the value of activities maybe isn't the answer.

The concern is, as a taxpayer, why should my money go to support other people's activities? I think that is a valid question. But, when you look at activities, we need to look at more than football, basketball and hockey. Co-curricular activities not only involve athletics, but music, drama, debate, speech and other clubs and organizations.

Each of these activities, in and of themselves, create opportunities for youth that they otherwise might not have. Co-curricular activities enrich the lives, not only of the participants but, on a larger scale, the community as a whole. Oftentimes communities create their identity through school-sponsored activities. The Warriors represent us as a community, regardless of the activity.

As a community, we have long prided ourselves on our quality co-curricular programs whether they are music, fine arts or athletics. If we, as taxpayers, decide, with our tax dollars, to support individual activities simply because our children are involved in them, we risk losing far more than just extra curricular activities. For example, within the high school curriculum there are several elective courses. Can we follow the same argument that since my child is not enrolled in welding or drawing we should eliminate the course because they serve no value?

Supporting education means supporting education in its entirety, which includes all programs including advanced placement, honors, accelerated, elective or co-curriculars. Supporting our schools means supporting all they represent. And if we chip away at individual programs, we begin to lose our sense of identity and who we are as a community.

Todd Lyscio

Director of Community Education

Middle School Athletic Director

Independent School District 181