School funding no help

Looking at the ads for the school levy I noticed how quickly they took advantage of the “stimulus” concept. Just read the ads and listen to the statements. Millions to our economy “when it’s most needed.” Thousands of jobs created – 4,600-plus if the numbers are to be believed. The problem is it isn’t true. A quick look at the Spokesman front page shows the lie. No new projects until 2011 and only one at a time up to 2015. We do, however, get those nasty millions of dollars out of our economy right now.

Do our schools need help? Probably. Will continuing to throw money at them improve them? Not likely. I recently got a flier from my daughter’s school showing a drop in WASL math scores from 72 percent passing in 2003-04 to 28 percent passing in 2007-08. Writing down from 50 percent to 48 percent. Reading from 77 percent to 58 percent. This funding hasn’t helped in the last five years. I say drop it and put the money back into the community where we need it most. Maybe it will help create some jobs in 2009.

Don Hearn

Spokane