Able Learner participants urge board to restore funding

Central Valley board members heard from several teachers, students and parents involved in the Able Learner program for gifted students, which will be reduced because of the district’s budget cuts. They were upset about the program cuts and urged board members to restore funding to the program.

Teacher Sharon Sell, who is retiring, acknowledged the budget realities. “The time is tough,” she said. “I know that.” But she asked the school board to remember the kids in the program. “That’s all I ask for, is a piece of the pie.”

Student Emily Peters said this is her last year in the program, which ends at the fifth grade. One of the budget cutting suggestions was to have fifth graders come every other week instead of every week. “I know I wouldn’t like to go every other week,” she said. “When I am at my home school everything is just too easy.”