Every day, families residing in Lake Washington School District must make financial decisions regarding their lives. What do I prepare for meals? How do I dress my children? Can I fill my gas tank today or must I walk or ride the bus to work? Can we take a vacation? Will my children pass their classes?

This year alone I have been asked to pay for PTSA Membership, a recorder for my son’s music class, subscription to Scholastic News, school photos, yearbook fees, lab fees, band fees, not including the fundraisers, parties and gifts for school. In addition, there are sports fees, field trips, uniforms and school supplies. These amounts totaled well in excess of $1,500.00 (for two children).

As families, we are being asked to yet again provide more money for a School District that refuses to stay within a budget and make cuts where cuts are necessary, yet continues to charge parents and families for “necessities for the education of our children.” Necessities such as USB drives for transporting writing assignments, glue sticks, and a ream of 20# paper.

I recommend that the Lake Washington School District resolve to practice what many of their families are living day to day: living within their budget and cutting back on items that are privileges and not rights. It is not necessary for my child to learn to play the recorder; it is practical to teach my child music appreciation, history and rhythm. It is not necessary for my child to read about current events with their own personal newspaper subscription; they must learn to read using phonics and spelling.

I wonder how many of our schools in the district would actually meet or exceed their AYP if the schools and districts returned to teaching the basics instead of concentrating on meeting the challenges of the future. There will be little future for our children who cannot read, write or compute basic math problems.

Live within a budget and stop spending money you don’t have; a worthwhile lesson for all of us to strive for – including our local school district.

Paige A. Norman

Redmond resident, parent