Dear editor:
I just read Mr. Kilmer's rebuff to my letter about the academic achievements of the Lake Hamilton School District and I must say it seems to be a bit shortsighted. In this day of tight budgets, it seems off kilter to put athletic facilities above academic achievement.
The state of Arkansas historically and currently has one of the lowest per capita incomes in the nation. The state of Arkansas historically and currently has one of the lowest percentages of college degrees in the nation. The municipalities in the state have some of the highest crime rates in the country. It is a proven fact that poverty and crime go hand in hand.
In order to pull this wonderful state out of the doldrums, it is necessary to upgrade education. Learning how to block against a 3-4 defense or how to run a pass pattern does not prepare one for future life endeavors. It is a crime that we have to have remedial courses in math and English for incoming freshman at our colleges and universities. It is a waste of taxpayer money to have to teach basic skills that should have been learned in high school.
I love sports. I played sports in high school. But I also learned how to read, write, add and subtract. All I am saying is when school systems are flush with money, it is time to improve the athletic opportunities for our students, but when times are lean, academics must take precedent. I know that the last millage increase was advertised for the athletic complex and a new middle school. But, in light of the latest results of the this system's academic achievement, it was not, except for the new middle school, the best decision to be made.
Steven Bank
Hot Springs
Editorial on 04/26/2015