School Board Patronizes Students

To the Editor:

I would like to address the recent controversy regarding the $40 activity fee for participants in high school activities. The Board of Education told students that if they had something to say, then the November board meeting was the time and the place to say it.

After a number of students exerted great time and effort presenting their case, the board responded by stating that they had done a great job; however, it was too late because the decision had already been made. Why then did they make these students (who certainly have nothing better to do) put all their energies into a cause that had already been decided and that could not, or rather, would not, be changed? If the board’s intent was to further frustrate, anger, and confuse those who carried out all that the board asked (and received nothing in return), then I would say that the board has certainly succeeded.

Emily Johnson

25 Cedar Hill Road, Newtown                          November 14, 2003