Washington State votes every year to raise our taxes on businesses, gas, and property to cover such important issues. Since we are paying the money for these important issues I would like an explanation on why our schools are getting budget cuts. Isn't our Representatives suppose to be representing our interest? Especially since they talk about education as a top priority.

Now I do see our colleges getting millions of dollars under the new budget plan that was unveiled. So why can't we fund our public schools?

KHQ-TV

SPOKANE, Wash. - Spokane Public Schools is predicting a $10.5 million funding challenge for the upcoming school year. This funding gap is mostly due to the state for not fully funding basic education programs as required. The Board of Directors are deciding which non-mandatory programs can be removed; amongst the list of reduction options include the closing of Pratt Elementary and removing Freshmen sports.

If funding is cut from high school sports, there would not be any place for 9^th-graders to play unless they were good enough to make varsity or junior varsity squads.

"I think there's a lot of kids out there who use that or it helps them to stay in school and perform when they might not otherwise do it , I'd hate to see that fall by the wayside and keep other things in place that I have some question about", says Mark Kamitomo, a parent of a local student.

There will be further decisions made at the April 25^th meeting at Willard Elementary School.