LETTERS: JACKSON SCHOOLS NEED DECISIONS MADE LOCALLY

To the editor:

The Jackson Board of Education is once again trying to organize in preparation to win an approving vote of public confidence for actions concerning the school district. School officials have formed a 28-member steering committee, mostly citizens who previously favored all past resolutions for funding proposals. They have hired an out-of-state consultant to attend community meetings and lead staff-development meetings with school administrators. The consultant's fee is $5,000.

My guess is school officials neglected to search the local area for someone with equal or better credentials. But, to quote Dr. Rita Fisher: "It helps to have someone impartial take a look." Did we have to go all the way to Iowa to find that person? Can't our board members make the decisions our community expects without all the cost and effort they claim they need to have a workable solution? If not, maybe we need to think in terms of board-member replacement.

RICHARD BRUCE

Jackson, Mo.