Shawnee district considers cuts in the fine arts

To the editor:

My children attend school in the Shawnee School District in Southern Illinois, which has 280 children enrolled in grades six through 12 in the junior-senior high school. Due to state cutbacks, the school board has proposed cutting our music department, art and home ec. A large group of parents is concerned about this. Fine arts are a very important part of any child's education.

Why are the arts important? The benefits conveyed by fine arts education can be grouped in four categories: success in society, success in school, success in developing intelligence and success in life.

Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated. We are having booster meetings at 6 p.m. on March 11 and 18 at the high school in Wolf Lake. The board meets on March 20 at the high school.

CHRISTINE MAYBERRY

Jonesboro, Ill.