LETTERS: MCCLURE SCHOOL SHOULD BE OPEN EARLIER IN THE DAY

To the editor:

I have had requests lately asking that Shawnee Elementary South School in McClure, Ill., be opened earlier than 7:40 a.m. A 7:30 a.m. opening was requested, which is the same as both of the other schools in the district. Parents who drop off their children need an extra 10 minutes to get to work. Children should not have to stand in the cold and the rain.

On Jan. 17, the superintendent told me the problem had been taken care of. The superintendent didn't include this item on the agenda for the Jan. 17 board meeting, as he believed the problem was solved. And it was. On Jan. 19 the Shawnee Elementary South building opened at 7:30 a.m.

However, the superintendent received a call the same day from the board president who directed that the building not be opened at 7:30 a.m. and that the board wouldn't discuss this until the meeting scheduled for Feb. 21.

Wouldn't you think that all board members from McClure would want this extra time for the convenience of the McClure and East Cape Girardeau families?

BRENDA M. WEBB

Vice President

Shawnee Board of Education

McClure, Ill.