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As a grandparent of a student in the kindergarten Spanish Immersion at Boones Ferry Elementary, I have been amazed at the progress and engagement my grandson has shown over the past year.  His parents, and the other parents, too, have been very engaged and enthusiastic about the program. They are committed to their children's academic education and futures.  I would have assumed that kind of involvement and support is something that the school district would value.  Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case. Although the parent's group has presented statistics showing that once start up costs have been met that the programs are cost-neutral.  Other school districts have lent their support and the benefit of their experience.  The program has been in place for one academic year.  Where are the costs now - as opposed to the cost of other classrooms.  The 50 students in Spanish Immersion are continuing students in the WLWV district and still figure in overall costs. 

It seems that there is an agenda here that has little or nothing to do with costs or budget shortfalls.  Perhaps it could be attributed to one person's personal agenda - not valuing a diversity of education that could potentially benefit our children and grandchildren in the future - giving them an advantage in future. As a tax payer and long-time resident of West Linn I am ashamed that such a relatively affordable program is being cut without due process and thoughtful assessment.

What are comparable costs of sports programs, other non-academic programs.  Where is the equity of opportunity to get the best possible education?

I am very concerned.

posted 2 years, 11 months ago
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