To the editor:

We are now hearing more and more about how we as a nation are falling behind in education. Statements made by Bill Gates indicated he has had to go to India to find qualified engineers because of the advancements in education there.

Here, we hear more about budget cuts to help public education survive.

The first to be considered is athletic programs. Athletic programs teach our young people important life skills like teamwork, how to inneract with other people, the importance of diversity in our nation, and it allows them to meet people outside of their own community.

These young people also need basic skills to survive in this global economy.

They do not need to be exposed to gay right’s education, socialism, and English as a second language. These areas are where cuts should be made. Alternative education is a waste of taxpayer money and it does not help these young people survive in a world that is getting more and more complex all of the time.

Educators should not have to deal with behavioral and disciplinary problems.

Another area where schools can save a lot of money is if they change some of their policies, like allowing school district employees to accrue vacation time.

My sister-in-law retired from the Denver Public Schools with nearly two years of accrued vacation time. Most of us lose our vacation time if we do not take it every year.

This idea of tenure is going to make it harder for educators to do their jobs. The policy makers are the ones who should be held accountable.

The people who make these policies are what is hurting our education system.

Lawrence L. Sober